Tag Archives: dishwasher repair tips

Is Your Dishwasher Making Noise? Dishwasher Repair Experts Explain Why

Although the dishwasher isn’t dead silent when running, it’s not supposed to be too noisy that you are bothered when cleaning your dishes. Is your dishwasher making noise? It means you have a problem that you should address as soon as possible. Here are some of the common dishwasher noises as given by dishwasher repair professionals and how to get rid of them:

Grinding noises

A light grinding noise is no problem, and you have nothing to worry about if your dishwasher is making it. However, if the noise starts immediately, you may have to hire a contractor and ask them to check inside the dishwasher as the drain impeller’s plastic blades might be having a problem.

The dishwasher uses the blades to break up large food particles, and sometimes things stick on the plastic blades leading to a grinding noise. If the contractor inspects the blades and there is nothing there, the noise could be coming from the water inlet valve.

Check the valve for clogs and if clogged, clean it. Also, check whether it’s damaged and if that’s the case, replace it.

Banging

Are there non-rhythmic banging sounds inside your dishwasher? In most cases, they are as a result of spray arms hitting the dishes. The arms will cause the bang sound, and since the arms rotate in a circle, the bang sound will have a certain rhythm to it.

To fix the rhythmic sounds, you have to adjust the dishes, but if the sounds aren’t rhythmic, you might be having a water hammer problem.

When a water hammer happens, the dishwasher valves close, forcing the water behind it to rattle the pipe. You need to hire a plumber to help you find the cause of the water pressure issue and install the adjuster to ensure you don’t burst a pipe.

Did you recently install the dishwasher? The banging sounds might be due to the drain line thumping against the cabinets or wall during operation. Ask the dishwasher technician to look into the issue and readjust it accordingly.

Rattling

In most cases, a rattling sound is due to improper placement of the dishes. A small cup might be jostled by water, you might be having a loose fork, or the plates are touching each other. If you do the inspection and the sound isn’t due to improperly placed dishes, take a look at the motor.

If the motor is faulty or on its way out, it’s normal for it to make rattling sounds. You can test whether the problem is due to a faulty motor by running an empty cycle where there is nothing left but the motor itself.

While at it, take a look at the filters and drains for solid objects that might be causing the rattling.

If everything checks out and you still have the rattling sounds, chances are you have a water hammer in your pipes. Ask an experienced professional to look into the issue and fix it.

Clicking

Clicking sounds are normal when you switch on the appliance, but if the sounds are too loud, you might be having a problem that you need to address.

Clicking sounds are often brought about by small items such as seeds bouncing around. The noises will also come about if you recently made repairs, such as replacing an O-ring. If the repair professional didn’t properly replace the O-ring, you are bound to have clicking noise as the ring moves.

Humming

Humming is the normal sound of a dishwasher in operation, but if you hear louder noises than normal or high-pitched, you will need to look further into them. Take a look at the motor or the fan.

If the humming is happening during a drying cycle, the noise is most likely coming about due to a faulty fan, but if the humming is happening during any other cycle, the motor is most likely the culprit since the fan is only used for drying cycles.

Squealing

Squealing sounds are common with new appliances as the dishwasher is yet to get used to the job. If your dishwasher is new, appliance repair Northern VA experts advise you to relax as the noises dissipate with time. However, if you have had your appliance for a long time, check the motor, water inlet, or pump for damage.

Can You Put Pots And Pans In The Dishwasher? Dishwasher Repair Experts Answer

The dishwasher is supposed to make it easy to clean your cookware, but you should be conscious of the utensils you put in your dishwashing machine.

If you have pots and pans you would like to clean, you must be asking, can you put pots and pans in the dishwasher? According to dishwasher repair professionals, this depends on the type of material used in making the pots and pans.

Copper pots and pans

If your cookware is made from copper, you should avoid putting it in the dishwasher as you risk tarnishing the pot’s color and shine. To maintain the look, wash the copper pots and pans by hand.

Has your pot acquired a burnt bottom? Sprinkle some salt on the affected area and cover it with white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for fifteen seconds then proceed to scrub.

Stainless steel pots and pans

Experts report that it’s safe to expose your stainless steel pots and pans to the dishwasher, but you need to exercise some caution. Dishwashers come with excessive humidity that can corrode the metal, but when you wash with hand, you can control it as you can control the water temperature.

So when you are handling stainless steel pots and pans, you are better off washing the cookware by hand. Only consider using the dishwasher if the manual says you can safely do it.

When using the dishwasher, ensure there is enough space between the pots and other items inside to prevent scratching. Enough space also ensures the dishes get properly cleaned and dried.

Aluminum pots and pans

It’s always wise to avoid cleaning the pots and pans using the dishwasher, but if you go through the manufacturer’s manual and it says the units are dishwasher safe, you should go ahead and wash them in the appliance.

When cleaning the pots and pans, remember that the aluminum material has the propensity to scratch, so you should remove all the cookware and cutleries before you begin a dishwasher cycle.

You should note that when you regularly clean the aluminum pots and pans using the dishwasher, it’s common for the pots to develop a dull finish. To retain the gleam for a long time, alternate it with handwashing from time to time even if the manual says its dishwasher safe.

Non-stick pots and pans

It’s a common practice for manufacturers of non-stick pots and pans to recommend the dishwasher for cleaning their pots and pans. While this is the case, many homeowners have reported that the process is too tough for the pots and pans, so you are better off avoiding it.

The best way of keeping the pots and pans in top shape is to wash them by hand with a small amount of soap. When you do this, you ensure the pot retains some oil, which keeps the pans non-stick.

In addition to the pots losing their non-stick quality, they also hold a lot of odor, which is unpleasant.

During a dishwashing cycle, the pots tend to knock every item around, and this has been shown to loosen the handles.

Cast iron pots and pans

For a long time, cast iron pots and pans have been considered as dishwashers unsafe, so you should never put them there. The interior of the dishwasher can be hot as well as wet, which isn’t good for the cast iron cookware.

When you put the pots in the dishwasher, you wash away the protective coating leading to rust. To avoid this, you should wash your pots and pans by hand.

What should you put in the dishwasher?

As you have seen, the pots and pans you put in the dishwasher depend on the material used in making them. To ensure your appliances are safe, scrutinize the manufacture’s manual.

To ensure the dishwasher gives you an excellent service, keep it in top shape. This calls for you to clean it regularly. You also should regularly inspect it for any flaws and fix if present.

Sometimes even dishwasher safe pots and pans get damaged, so to keep your appliances in good condition, appliance repair Springfield professionals recommend you clean them by hand.

While this will take most of your time, it will preserve the lifespan of the pots and pans.

How Long Does A Dishwasher Last? Dishwasher Repair Experts Give Their Input

dishwasher repair

One of the mistakes homeowners make is hiring dishwasher repair professionals to repair an appliance that has passed its lifespan.

It’s pointless to keep on repairing an aged appliance as you will be wasting your money, and it will never work efficiently. If you are wondering how long does a dishwasher last, you should expect it to last for 9-11 years.

Things that affect the lifespan of the dishwasher

The lifespan of the appliance will be heavily influenced by these factors:

Frequency of use: How often do you use the unit? In an average home, the dishwasher is cycled five times a week. If you use your appliance more than this, it will most likely have a shorter lifespan and vice versa.

Quality: Reputable brands make high-quality appliances that last for years, so if you have a high-quality appliance from a reputable company, it’s bound to have a long lifespan. A machine from a reputable company also tends to develop fewer problems during its lifespan.

Maintenance: Periodic maintenance, such as cleaning, can significantly affect the lifespan of your unit. If you properly maintain your unit, it will have a longer lifespan and vice versa.

Price: Although, the price of the unit isn’t a very reliable factor, it can guide you on how long it will last. A poor quality appliance goes for a much lower price, so you can expect it to have a shorter lifespan than an expensive one.

Tricks on how to extend the life of your dishwasher

To avoid having to replace your dishwasher after a few years, you need to take good care of it so that it lasts for a long time. Some of the things you can do include:

Keep it clean: Everything begins here. Just as your car won’t last for long if you keep it dirty, your dishwasher also won’t last for long if you don’t clean it often. Routinely wipe down the door seals using warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth.

If you notice any foul smells in your appliance, work at getting rid of them as much as possible.

You also should regularly clean the filters that capture food particles. When cleaning, also inspect the filters and ensure they aren’t damaged such that they are allowing food to pass into the internal parts.

It’s normal for the sprayer arms to clog up when you don’t clean them as often as you should. To improve the washing experience, get rid of all the debris from them.

Be on the lookout for hard water residues: If you live in an area with hard water, thin films of hard minerals settle on the inside of the machine causing discoloration. This not only gives the dishwasher a cheap look, but it also significantly reduces its efficiency.

You should clean the dishwasher using a citric-based cleaning solution to get rid of the film. Also, consider adding regeneration salt to the water softening system to prevent the hard water from clouding, spotting, or minerals building up.

Use hot water: When cleaning the dishes, avoid using cold water—use hot water instead. The water not only makes the detergent more efficient, but it also kills germs, odors, and bacteria.

Don’t overload: On the verge of saving time, some homeowners stock the dishwasher more than it should. Don’t do this as it results in poor cleaning of the dishes. It can also cause undue strain on the dishwasher; hence it doesn’t function efficiently.

When placing the dishes, don’t stuff them in. Carefully load them in their correct areas. If any dishes are out of place, don’t force them. Simply leave them for another cycle.

Conclusion

A properly maintained dishwasher should last at least ten years. You can make your unit last longer than this by putting the above tips into action. When the unit develops problems, don’t hire just any contractor to repair it.

Take your time and find a reputable and certified appliance repair Springfield professional to do it. You can verify they are reputable by taking a look at their experience and track record. Also, confirm with the regulatory bodies and confirm they are allowed to offer their services in your local area.