Troubleshooting: Common Dishwasher Problems
We all love our dishwashers, which is why when they break down we suffer. Don't worry if your dishwasher is playing up, we can show you how to trouble shoot the problem, and get it fixed quick!
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Step 1:
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Leaky
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The first things to check are: Have you over loaded on detergent causing soapy residues? Have you stacked your dishes badly? Is the seal around the door old and worn? Have you got a dodgy pipe connection at the back? Worst case scenario is not good though, old machines corrode at the bottom and if this is your case then I guess it's time for a new one.
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Step 2:
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Not filling
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If you have got no water, clearly the dishes are still going to be grubby. First check under the sink and make sure the stop valve is fully open. If it is and there's still no water then now would be a good time to call us.
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Step 3:
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Not draining
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A little water left in the tub is normal but if you're worried there are a couple of simple things to check: Is your drain hose damaged? Or are your drains blocked? If it's neither of these then you might need a new pump.
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Step 4:
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Not washing
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Bad loading is the most frequent cause of bad washing. Plates may be in the way of others stopping them getting any water so take a bit more care when stacking. If the problem continues you can try adding more detergent, but if that doesn't do the trick you might have low water pressure, or hard water.
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Step 5:
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Not taking the detergent
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You may be putting in too much of the soapy stuff. Your dishwasher will only use the amount needed to clean the plates in it. Use less detergent for a couple of runs and see if that helps.
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Step 6:
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Cold Water
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If you suspect the water is not heating properly hold a thermometer under the hot water tap for 2 minutes. It needs to be a minimum of 140 degrees F. If not turn up the heat on your boiler.
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Step 7:
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Noisy
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If you can't hear yourself think over the racket coming from the dirty dishes then you may have some loose or dodgy parts or you could just be stacking your plates badly. Once the machine is totally cold look around the inside for any hard object such as bones, fruit pips or old knives and forks. Make sure the unit is on a level surface. If the noise is a thump then your inlet valve maybe gone. So the best thing to do is get someone out to look at it. If it's still under warranty - call the manufacturer.