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Common Dishwasher Problems and How to Prevent Them

Posted on June 20, 2020 by

Common Dishwasher Woes and Fixes

The dishwasher has quickly become a staple in most modern kitchens. The convenience and efficiency of this appliance make it pretty invaluable for busy homeowners. Unfortunately, when it malfunctions, it is a major inconvenience. Puddles of water on the floor from leaks or racks of dirty dishes in a dishwasher that won’t start can leave many homeowners feeling urgent and anxious.

Luckily, licensed plumbers are used to these issues, and know-how to quickly diagnose and repair them. Read on to learn more about some of the most common dishwasher plumbing problems, as well as how to fix them, and prevent them from happening again.

Common Dishwasher Problems

Like most appliances, dishwashers are comprised of many different parts. Beyond the motor, arms, and drain, there are switches, valves, timers, sensors, and pumps working to get dishes clean and sanitized as quickly as possible. This means that there are a lot of opportunities for the machine to malfunction, and it can be difficult to diagnose exactly what’s wrong.

dishwasher problemsA few common dishwasher problems are:
  1. Dishwasher Won’t Start
  2. No Water in the Dishwasher
  3. Dishwasher Won’t Stop Filling With Water
  4. Dishwasher Doesn’t Drain the Water
  5. Water Leaks Out From the Dishwasher
  6. Dishwasher Makes Weird Noises

As you can see, most dishwasher problems have something to do with the water, whether it’s that there isn’t enough of it, or there is too much. The plumbing is a key component of this appliance, which is why plumbers’ knowledge and expertise is necessary to repair dishwashers.

Dishwasher Plumbing Repairs

As mentioned above, there are a lot of moving parts that keep a dishwasher going. In most cases, there is not one sure thing that could be causing a dishwasher to malfunction. For example, a clogged pump or malfunctioning float arm can both present similar issues. Without the experience of a professional plumber, the exact cause of a broken dishwasher can be difficult to diagnose.

dishwasher plumbing

Then, once the root cause has been identified, the actual repair requires additional knowledge from training and special tools. In some cases, homeowners can successfully DIY these types of repairs, but in many cases, more damage is done to the appliance, leading to additional repairs and money lost.

Preventing Dishwasher Plumbing Issues

preventingWhile it may not be recommended to try and fix the dishwasher yourself once it’s broken, there are a few non-plumbing tips that homeowners can follow to prevent dishwasher problems from happening in the first place. They are:
  1. Don’t Overload the Dishwasher: Putting too many dishes in the dishwasher can cause the dishwasher to leak, and prevents the dishes from getting as clean as they should.
  2. Rinse off All Dishes Before Loading Them Into the Dishwasher: This includes scraping food off of dishes to prevent clogging the drains, washer arms, and pump screens.
  3. Use the Recommended Amount of Dishwasher Soap: This helps prevent buildup on the different components of the dishwasher.

Following these three guidelines (along with cleaning your dishwasher occasionally) will help keep the appliance running at maximum efficiency and prolong the life of the dishwasher.

About Roman Plumbing Inc.

Roman Plumbing Inc. is a family-owned and operated company serving the New Port Richey area since 2002. Whether your dishwasher needs repairs, or you need a new water filtration system, they can help. Their trained and licensed professional plumbers are available 24/7.

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