Talking About Appliance Repairs

How To Fix Three Common Dishwasher Problems

Having an automatic dishwasher in the kitchen is one of the great luxuries of modern life. That's why nothing could be more stressful than a dishwasher that no longer cleans dishes properly. Luckily, many common problems are simple enough for many homeowners to fix on their own. If you would like to learn more about dishwasher repair, read on. This article will teach you how to correct three common problems.

Clogged sprayer arm

When a dishwasher is no longer able to get dishes clean the way it used to, the problem usually has to do with water distribution. In other words, that hot soapy water simply isn't making it onto all of your dishes. Often this has to do with clogs that have formed as the result of food particles and/or hard water deposits. This is most likely to affect the sprayer arm located at the bottom of the dishwasher.

This problem can usually be corrected by removing the sprayer arm and cleaning the holes along its length. Start by taking the lower dishrack out of the machine. Now take a look at your sprayer arm. In some units, there will be a bolt holding the arm in place. In others, the arm can simply be lifted straight up and out of place.

When removing the arm assembly, be careful not to lose track of any washers. In order for the sprayer to work properly, these must be reinstalled in the same order as before. Once you've got the sprayer arm off, soak it for several minutes in hot, soapy water. Then use a pin, or another appropriately-sized object, to clear out each of the holes.

Dirty or obstructed filter

Before reinstalling the sprayer arm, you may as well take advantage of your easy access to the filter located in the center of the floor of the machine. On many units, the filter basket can be completely removed, making it easy to flush out any debris that has built up there. If not, use either your hand or a wet/dry vac to remove any particulate matter. This will help the water to circulate through the machine more efficiently.

Stuck float

The float is responsible for controlling the amount of water inside of the machine. As its name would imply, the float rises along with the water on the bottom of the dishwasher. When it reaches a specific height, it cuts off the supply valve, thus preventing any more water from entering the machine.

The problem here is that, over time, the float stem tends to become crusted with gunk. This can lead to a float becoming stuck. If it becomes stuck in its lowered position, you may end up with a flooded kitchen. On the other hand, if it gets stuck in its fully upright position, an insufficient amount of water will be taken into the machine.

Gently remove the float from its tube and give it a thorough cleaning. Then, using a pipe cleaner, do the same for the inside of the tube. Congratulations, your float should now be able to do its job unimpeded! For more information or assistance, contact an appliance repair specialist like those at A OK Appliance Service.