Using and Troubleshooting Your Dishwasher

You rely on your dishwasher to make cleanup after meals easy and energy efficient. Learning how to use your dishwasher properly will maximize its efficiency and longevity, preventing many of the most common problems you might encounter. Keep reading to find out how to use, maintain, and troubleshoot your dishwasher in Portland. If you do encounter a problem you can’t fix, contact your appliance repair service promptly for the assistance you need.

Loading Your Dishwasher

One of the easiest mistakes to make—and the simplest to avoid—is overloading your dishwasher. Overloading your dishwasher reduces its efficiency and can even block portions of the spray arm, meaning your dishes won’t come out clean. Too many dishes and too little soap can also result in dishes that aren’t as sparkling as you expect. If you’re experiencing trouble with your dishwasher, first try loading the dishwasher with fewer dishes. Make sure no dishes or glasses are touching to avoid accidental damage to these items while they’re being cleaned. Avoid overloading the silverware baskets as well—if the water can’t reach every part of your silverware, it won’t come out clean.

Washing Your Dishes

There are a few factors that can affect your dishwasher’s performance while it’s washing your dishes. One factor is the amount of soap—check your detergent tray after each wash cycle for soap residue. If you’re consistently finding excess soap or residue in the detergent tray, you’re using too much. Try cutting back on the amount of soap you use until there is no residue left in the tray after each load. Alternatively, you can try switching to detergent packs, which provide exactly the right amount of soap for each load. If you notice that your dishwasher appears to be leaking while it works, check the rubber seal, or gasket, around the door. Gaskets can wear out over time, causing a break in the watertight seal that can lead to leaks. Look for areas that have cracked, crumbled, or are otherwise damaged. You can replace the gasket yourself, or have your appliance repair service do so for you.

Dishwasher Leaks

The most common cause of dishwasher leaks is a failed gasket. However, if replacing the gasket on your dishwasher’s door doesn’t solve your leak, the problem is likely either the pipes that provide water to your dishwasher or the drain hose that funnels wastewater away from the appliance. One indication that the drain hose is at fault is an excessive amount of water left in the bottom of your dishwasher after each load. The pipes and the drain hose are located behind or beneath your dishwasher; thus, the appliance must be moved away from your counter to access these areas. It’s often best to have an appliance repair service address issues with your dishwasher’s pipes or drain hose to make sure the appliance is properly removed and replaced during this process. If you’re experiencing a constant leak from your dishwasher, turn off the incoming water supply to the appliance until your repair service can fix it.

Using your dishwasher properly is the best way to avoid breakdowns and other common problems. If you run into dishwasher trouble you can’t handle, visit our website to schedule dishwasher repairs in Portland. Check out our blog for more tips and tricks to keep your dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine, and dryer running smoothly!