The home plumbing system features very many types of plumbing fixtures and appliances. All these fixtures and appliances play an important functional role in the home plumbing system. Plumbing fixtures like faucets and showers play an important role in delivering clean water to the user. Other plumbing fixtures like toilets and urinals dispose of human waste in a convenient and hygienic way. Plumbing appliances play more specialized functional roles than the aforementioned fixtures. For example, a washing machine is specially designed to clean laundry. A garbage disposal is specially designed to shred and dispose of solid food waste. The water heater is only used for heating water and so on. All these plumbing fixtures and appliances break down over time. And because they are so important in our lives, we usually require the services of a professional DC emergency plumber when any of these plumbing fixtures and appliances malfunctions.
One of the most important plumbing appliances is the dishwasher. This device is specially designed to clean and dry dishes. The typical dishwasher lasts about 7-12 years but some devices break down after only 4-5 years. You then have to spend a fortune in dishwasher repairs to keep the device working. That is why you need to know how to fix common dishwasher problems on your own to avoid hefty plumbing repair costs. Here are some of the most common dishwasher problems and their solutions.
Leaking
One of the most common dishwasher problems is leaking. Despite the fact that the dishwasher uses water to clean utensils, it should not spill even a drop on your floor. But if you start noticing pools of water under or near your dishwasher or a spray of water around the device, then you have a leak somewhere. Dishwasher leaks usually occur around the door, underneath the device, or at the water source. You can fix a door leak by replacing the rubber gasket. If the leak is at the water source, tighten the hose or replace the gasket. And if the leak occurs underneath your dishwasher, it could be happening at the water inlet or at the drain or at the seal around the pump. These leaks can be fixed by tightening or replacing the gaskets and/or hose clamps. You should also consider replacing the pump if it’s broken.
Unclean Dishes
If your dishwasher is not cleaning your dishes properly, there are several things that you should consider. There are several causes of this problem. You could be overloading your dishwasher. You should also ensure that you scrape of all food remnants from your dishes before putting them inside the device. The more technical cause of this problem is clogging in the door gasket, stain screen, or the spray arms. You can solve this problem by cleaning these areas.
Total Failure
You can put your dishes in your dishwasher and then try to turn it on only to realize that it’s not working. This could simply be a problem with the power source. Replacing a blown fuse can solve this problem. A dishwasher is also designed not to start if the door is not latched properly. And if there is no water in your dishwasher, you need to check and maybe replace the float switch.