DIY Troubleshooting Before Calling for Repairs
- Not draining dirty water – if you hear humming or a motor noise that’s great news! It normally means that the unit is unable to push the water past some restriction. Most times if you have a blockage the area of debris will be at either the connection between garbage disposal and dishwasher drain or on some units they have to extend the drain lines which equates to more restrictions.
- Not filling with water – under the sink (normally) there is a water supply line that feeds your dishwasher. Ensure the valve is in the on position. We see this on new constructions and homeowners entering a purchased property where previous owners shut the water off.
- No function (or lights) – If you are new to your home then there is likely a light switch nearby that has the power for the dishwasher running through it. NC general contractors are fairly good about following the 2008 NEC which states that a dishwasher must have a service disconnect within visible working area for service to the dishwasher.
- Not drying your dishes well – Rinse aid is one of the most important drying aspects commonly overlooked. Without rinse aid the water struggles to separate on a molecular level causing pools of water to form on top of bowls and glasses but with rinse aid it breaks down the molecular structure that attracts water to water and causes the unit to dry fast and more efficiently.
- Leaking from the front door panel – This is most common on dishwashers that spray water up from below the bottom rack on a rotating arm. In some cases you’ll find a perfectly shaped bowl that is able to redirect the jet of water from the spray arm to directly below the door seal. If you notice a cup or two of water during one run but not the next- chances are you need to move your bowls and serve ware to the top rack of the dishwasher (at minimum move it to the back of the bottom rack).
