Dishwashers have gained in popularity in UK homes as they have come to be seen as a household “standard”, rather than machines purely for the wealthy. Whereas only around 18% of UK households owned a dishwasher in 1994, by 2018, approximately half (49%) of them did. 

However, if you have owned a dishwasher, you are likely to have encountered at least one or two problems with it. So, you might appreciate knowing about some of the most frequent dishwasher issues, and how to fix them. 

With that in mind, our experts in residential and commercial property maintenance and repairs at Essential Repairs have set out the essentials of troubleshooting dishwasher issues. In addition, we have explained the preventive steps you can take to help avoid such problems occurring in the first place. 

Common Dishwasher Problems

There’s a good chance that you have come across one or more of these common issues with dishwashers:

Dishwasher Not Draining

Sometimes, a dishwasher may fail to drain properly. This can have any of a range of causes. 

The dishwasher’s drain may have become clogged with food particles or other debris. Or maybe the dishwasher’s pump – which serves the purpose of transitioning water through the system and out of the drain – has malfunctioned? 

Broken or clogged hoses can also cause drainage issues, with water backing up in the system.

Dishwasher Not Cleaning Properly

Of course, as a homeowner, property manager, or tenant, you invested in a dishwasher so that it would clean your dishes. So, if your dishes are evidently still dirty, you should be alert to several potential causes. 

You should check, for example, whether your dishwasher is running through its entire cycle – because if it isn’t, a mechanical fault is probably the cause. If, on the other hand, the dishwasher is completing its cycle, you should check whether the detergent cup is releasing the detergent properly. 

An overly low water temperature is another possible cause of a dishwasher failing to wash dishes adequately, so you might need to change the setting.

Dishwasher Making Unusual Noises

Also prominent among the most frequent dishwasher issues, is the appliance producing harsher and louder background noise than usual. By scrutinising the exact sound your dishwasher makes, you can begin narrowing down the possible causes. 

If the noise is a high-pitched squeal, this might indicate a problem with the seals or bearings. Alternatively, if you’re hearing more of a loud rattling or grinding, this may signal an issue with the spray arms, pump, or door latch. 

A dishwasher making humming noises, meanwhile, can often be attributed to troubles with the motor.

Dishwasher Leaking Water

Many of us have had that heart-sinking feeling of seeing a puddle of water on the floor close to the dishwasher; this might indicate a faulty drain pump or a drain hose blockage.

Troubleshooting And Diagnosis

So, you now know some of the most frequent dishwasher issues; here’s how to diagnose and troubleshoot them. Before you carry out any of these checks on your dishwasher, it is crucial to make sure the device is switched off at the mains.

How To Check for Blockages

A blocked filter is a classic cause of a dishwasher failing to drain. The filter is situated at the bottom of a dishwasher, and you should be able to easily pull or twist it out. When you do, clean it by running it under a tap, then put it back into the machine. 

Alternatively, a blockage may be caused by the water hose at the back of the dishwasher having been kinked or squashed. So, be sure to inspect this if cleaning and replacing the filter doesn’t work.

Inspecting The Spray Arms

The spray arms are located at the bottom of the dishwasher baskets. You can check them by simply removing them and looking for any blockage or damage.
If the spray arms are dirty, be sure to clean them with warm, soapy water. Any blockages, meanwhile, can be removed by a needle. Damage to a spray arm – such as cracks or missing pieces – will necessitate it being replaced.

Examining The Door Seal

If the spray arms don’t seem to be the cause of your dishwasher issues, a logical next step is to check the upper seal that goes around the top and side of the door. The upper seal may have perished, or there might be dirt and grime clogging it up, which could be preventing the proper closure of the door. 

Don’t forget to look at the lower door seal, too. If this is leaking, the removal of the door will be necessary. That’s a task you will probably need to entrust to professionals, such as our providers of West London repairs and maintenance services at Essential Repairs.

DIY Fixes for Common Issues

Not all common issues with dishwashers necessitate the homeowner, property manager, or tenant reaching out to experts such as ours:

Clearing A Blocked Drain

Inspecting your dishwasher’s drain will enable you to identify – and remove – any debris or food particles that may be obstructing it.

Replacing A Faulty Seal

If you need to replace your dishwasher’s upper door seal, it’s relatively straightforward to pull out the existing seal and push in a new one. 

To ensure you acquire the appropriate replacement seal, make a note of your dishwasher’s model number, which should be visible on the inside of the door. You should then be able to order the right replacement part from the dishwasher manufacturer or a trustworthy online retailer.

Cleaning The Filter and Spray Arms

Your dishwasher’s manual should provide specific instructions on how to clean the filter and spray arms. It’s generally a case of simply removing these parts and soaking them in warm, soapy water. 

Make sure you also know how to correctly put these components back in once you’ve cleaned them. When you replace spray arms back in the machine, you should ensure they are able to spin properly when the dishwasher is fully loaded.

When To Call a Professional

When you are troubleshooting dishwasher issues, it might not be immediately obvious when it’s best to simply get a professional on the phone. So, bear these principles in mind:

Identifying Major Repairs

If the DIY methods above haven’t resolved the problem with your dishwasher, or you keep on having leaks, complex mechanical issues, or electrical problems even after seemingly “fixing” your appliance, this indicates a bigger repair is probably needed. 

There isn’t any point taking unnecessary risks when it comes to such specialised work. Reach out to our own renowned providers of local plumbing and gas services at Essential Repairs, by calling 020 3813 1038.

Safety Concerns with DIY Repairs

In situations where substantial repair work is needed, it is best to err on the side of caution. 

Not everyone who attempts a DIY dishwasher repair, after all, will be sufficiently mindful of basic safety measures, such as the importance of ensuring the appliance is disconnected from the power supply before work begins. 

Dishwashers combine water with electricity, which can be an extremely dangerous blend. So, we would strongly urge you not to take avoidable risks.

Choosing A Reliable Repair Service

It isn’t as difficult as you might think to find a reputable provider of dishwasher repair services. 

A good “rule of thumb” is to look carefully at what actual past customers of a given company have said. At Essential Repairs, we have an “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot at the time of typing, with 89% of reviewers having given us a maximum five-stars-out-of-five rating.

Preventive Maintenance Tips

Establishing a routine of checking and cleaning your appliance over time can help prevent many common dishwasher issues: 

Regular Cleaning and Upkeep

We touched on the cleaning of filters and drains above; you should make it a habit to keep on with this same cleaning process once a month. Such regular checking and cleaning can help avoid future mechanical failures. 

As soon as you notice any potential issues – even “small” ones – arrange to repair them immediately, before they deteriorate into a bigger problem. This will be key to extending the lifespan of your machine.

Best Practices for Loading Your Dishwasher

You should be careful to only load your dishwasher according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. You mustn’t overload it or use excessive detergent. 

Also avoid putting non-dishwasher-friendly items in the appliance. Any sharp knives, delicate items, or wooden utensils should only ever be handwashed. If you’re unsure whether certain items would be safe for your dishwasher, look at the labels and manufacturer instructions on these products.

Using The Right Detergent

All dishwasher detergents available today are formulated specifically for use in dishwashers. This means you should never use ordinary washing-up liquid in a dishwasher, as it will cause excess foam, which could bring about a leak.

Conclusion

Educating yourself on the most frequent dishwasher issues and how to diagnose and fix them, will greatly help keep your machine working with minimal fuss, while extending its lifespan. You should also know the classic signs of a given dishwasher problem requiring professional attention, so that you don’t persist with a potentially damaging or dangerous DIY repair.

Keeping Your Dishwasher in Top Condition

Proactively and regularly inspecting, maintaining, and cleaning your dishwasher and its components, as well as reacting in an informed way to any issues as soon as they emerge, will contribute to preserving the condition and operation of your appliance for many months and years ahead. So, you hopefully won’t need to call our repair professionals so often.

Recap Of Key Points

In summary, when it comes to dealing with common issues with dishwashers:

• Inform yourself about the most frequent dishwasher issues 

• Educate yourself on basic dishwasher troubleshooting and diagnosis methods

• Learn some effective DIY fixes and the circumstances in which it is best to call a professional 

• Find out about – and follow – the best preventive maintenance steps to help avoid dishwasher issues happening in the first place.

Do you need to have your own malfunctioning dishwasher looked over – and fixed – by trusted experts in London? If so, please don’t hesitate to book with us online today, or to call 020 3813 1038. Our in-house specialist contractors will get the job done at the right price!