How-To: Caring for Your Dishwasher

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Our kitchen dishwasher makes our lives easy and saves us time and labour every single day. So, when your dishwasher is working as it should be, life can also be pretty fine. But what happens when it goes on the fritz and loses its cleaning efficiency? Dishwasher repairs will not really cost a lot of money on repairs nor are they major projects, but just a few days without the dishwasher can be a major inconvenience.

 

Fortunately, most of the common dishwasher issues are avoidable given the proper maintenance and usage. Here are some simple dishwasher tips that can help you keep your unit running smoothly:

 

DON’T GET ZAPPED!

Dishwashers have built-in motors and water heaters that consume a lot of electricity. Dishwashers should be plugged into a grounded outlet or a wired direct and the main socket should be rated adequately to handle the large load that is usually required by most dishwashers.

 

DISHWASHERS SHOULD BE LEVEL.

If your dishwasher is not level, then it could leak. To be able to check this, open the door and place an air-bubble level along the edge inside. If the dishwasher is not level, lower or raise either side by adjusting its feet or adding a wedge to balance it correctly.

 

CHECK FOR CRACKS AND DETERIORATION.

These are the plastic or rubber seals along the dishwasher door that provides a water-tight seal when closed. If you start noticing water around your dishwasher, then this could be due to faulty gaskets. If the gasket is damaged, it should be removed or pried open with a screwdriver.

 

CHECK FOR CLOGS.

Over time, mineral deposits, food particles, and other debris can clog the holes in the sprayer arm of your dishwasher. It is important to clean these small holes from time to time for your dishwasher to work more efficiently.

 

CHECK AND CLEAN THE SCREENS AND FILTERS.

Dishwashers come with screens or filters that can be found near the bottom of the dishwasher above the food drain. These screens or filters catch any large debris or food and they need to be cleaned regularly – at least every other week. If the filters have holes, then they must be replaced to prevent harm to other parts of your dishwasher. You should also check for any debris or food that might be trapped in the food drain.

 

If you are having any problems with your dishwasher, the professionals of Hayes Plumbing are always ready to help you out. Reach out to us today!

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