4 Common Dishwasher Problems And How To Troubleshoot Them
Is your dishwasher acting funny? Maybe it's not getting your dishes clean? Or it's not drying them before you take them out? Your dishwasher is an important appliance as it saves you time and keeps your dishes free of germs and bacteria. A dishwasher that isn't working properly can be frustrating.
Fortunately, most dishwasher issues are relatively simple and can be solved with a few easy steps. Below are some of the most common problems you can experience with your dishwasher, along with tips on how to troubleshoot them. If these don't work, you may want to contact an appliance repair company, like American Appliance INC. They can help you identify the cause of the issue and find a solution.
The dishes aren't getting clean. This is one of the most frustrating issues with a dishwasher. You load it, put soap in, and run the dishwasher, but the dishes are still dirty at the end of the cycle. You may want to start by inspecting the spray arms at the bottom of the dishwasher. You may have food, grease, or other grime coating the arms and that may prevent them from distributing water throughout the dishwasher. Grime could also prevent the arms from spinning, which means water may not be hitting every dish.
If the arms are covered in dirt or grime, you can use a toothbrush or pipe cleaner to clean them. Then run a clean cycle on the dishwasher. That should solve most issues. If it doesn't, it may be time for an appliance repair service.
The dishwasher leaks. Does water run onto the floor every time you run the dishwasher? If so, there could be a few causes. First, check the door and door gasket for any food or other debris that may be stuck. That could prevent the door shutting completely. Also, try cleaning the door gasket. That's the rubber piece that lines the inside of the door. After cleaning it, look for cracks that may have formed in the gasket. Those could provide small openings for water to escape. If you see cracks or damage, you may need to replace the gasket.
The dishes don't get dry. It's normal for some of your dishes to still have a little moisture after you run the dishwasher. However, if they're completely soaked you may have a problem. The issue likely lies in your heating element, which is in the bottom of the dishwasher. If you're comfortable doing so, remove the panel at the bottom of the dishwasher and look for a thermometer. You'll likely need a multimeter to check it. If you don't get a reading, that means the thermometer isn't working, so it could be causing the heating element to shut off too soon.
If you're experiencing other issues or if these tips don't solve the issue, it may be time to get help from a pro. Contact an appliance repair company in your area today.
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