Problems You Might Have With Your Dishwasher

A broken dishwasher can inconvenience you in several ways. Educate yourself on common dishwasher problems to help you preempt such inconveniences. Below are some of the problems you should know about.

Increased Noise

A dishwasher has several moving parts, so it usually makes a little noise during operations. However, you should likely be concerned if your dishwasher is noisier than it usually is. The increased noise might be because:

• The dishwasher's mounting is defective, and it vibrates whenever you run the appliance
• You have not arranged your dishes properly in the dishwasher
• The dishwasher doesn't have sufficient water
• The dishwasher has suffered mechanical damage, such as a broken impeller

Thus, dishwasher noise might represent a simple thing (such as inadequate water) or a serious issue (mechanical damage). You might need a professional diagnosis for the noise.

Bad Odor

Dishwasher smells also have multiple causes. Examples include:

• Debris accumulation and decomposition on the filter
• Drainage problems that have caused waste to back up into the dishwasher
• Mold and mildew growth in the dishwasher due to prolonged disuse

Again, contact a plumber if the odor doesn't abate after cleaning the dishwasher.

Inefficient Cleaning

Suspect a malfunction if the dishes are not clean at the end of the washing cycle. That might be the case if:

• The dishwasher doesn't have adequate water
• The dishwasher doesn't drain
• The dishwasher has a mechanical problem

Improper or no cleaning is a serious issue since the main purpose of the appliance is to clean dishes. Don't use the dishwasher until you diagnose and solve the problem since you might worsen the problem.

Inefficient Drying

Different dishwashers have different drying capabilities. Therefore, don't compare a dishwasher's drying capability against a neighbor's dishwasher. However, your dishwasher has malfunctioned if its drying efficiency has reduced to the point you need to use a towel on the dishes. In such a case, suspect:

• Dishwasher overloading that can cause the dishes to trap water between them
• A wrong cycle setting, for example, that excludes the dishwasher's heated drying function
• A malfunction of the rinse aid dispenser that removes water droplets from dishes after washing

The solution depends on the cause of the drying issue. Contact a plumber for help once you have confirmed that the issue is neither overloading nor a wrong setting.

Clogging

Clogging is one of the worst and most common problems with dishwashers. Efficient dishwasher drainage is necessary to ensure that the dishes are clean, water doesn't back out of the drains, and the dishwasher doesn't smell. Your dishwasher might clog if:

• You have not cleaned the filter for a long time, and debris has accumulated on it
• Debris has accumulated inside the drain hose (for example, if the hose has an improper slope)
• You did not install the dishwasher properly
• Something has blocked your main drain, and water from your dishwasher has nowhere to go

Note that clogging can trigger other issues, including bad odor and leaks.

Leaks

Dishwasher leaks can cause structural damage, encourage mold growth, and create a fire hazard. Dishwasher leaks can occur:

• Due to clogging problems that cause waste backups
• Because the drain hose has a crack
• Because the supply line has a crack
• Because the dishwasher seals are worn

Solve the leak before it creates further problems.

Professional installation and maintenance, as well as proper use of your dishwasher, can help you prevent such problems. The good news is that plumbers can solve many dishwasher problems - you won't have to replace the appliance every time it malfunctions. Contact Mike's Plumbing for help with all your plumbing issues. You can rely on our professionalism and experience.