When many people notice problems with their dishwashers, they think they are doomed and have to invest in new appliances. Far from this. Eighty percent of dishwasher problems can be fixed without requiring you to hire a dishwasher repair professional. To help you out, here are tips on how to fix the common dishwasher problems:

Failure of the dishwasher to start

How long have you had your dishwasher? If you have had it long enough, you must have come across this problem. In 90% of the cases, the dishwasher will fail to start when you are having problems with the latch or door latch switches that supply power to the dishwasher controls.

When the door fails to close properly, the door latch switches aren’t activated thus the dishwasher controls don’t receive the power. As a consequence, the dishwasher doesn’t start. For you to fix this problem you need to confirm whether the door is closing properly and activating the switches. If it isn’t, fix it. If it is, take a look at the timer or electronic control.

Your dishwasher will also fail to start when the selector switch, motor start relay, or thermal fuse isn’t functioning optimally. If you have tried fixing all of these areas without success, it’s time to hire a dishwasher expert to give the appliance a look.

Noisy dishwasher

There is nothing that screams problem than a noisy dishwasher. While you might have the impression that fixing it is a challenge, it isn’t. In fact, you can fix it even if you have never done it before. In most cases, the dishwasher will make loud noises when you have a defective pump.

The pump sits at the bottom of the dishwasher and pressurizes the spray arms. It also drains water from the unit. Your appliance will make loud noises if the circulating parts of the dishwasher are malfunctioning.

Your appliance will also make noises when you are having issues with the wash arm bearing ring and spray arm seal. When these dishwasher parts wear out or get loose, they cause the spray arm to malfunction hence the loud noises.

For you to fix the unit you need to inspect the ring and seal. If necessary, replace them. While you are at it, also take a look at the spray arms and ensure they are turning freely without hitting the racks or dishes. Are the arms wobbly? The center portion or hub may be worn out. If this is the case, replace it.

Failure of the dishwasher to drain

You must have come across this problem. You clean the dishes then the water doesn’t drain, leaving the dishes wet. The most common cause of this problem is problems in the drain pump and motor.

Dishwashers have different ways of draining water. Some have single motor driven pump while others have separate drain pumps. The drain pipes often fail to drain due to obstructions. You should inspect them for obstructions and if present, remove them.

In some cases, the dishwasher will fail to drain due to problems with the check valve. The valve is designed to allow water to flow in one direction preventing dirty water from re-entering the dishwasher.

A tell-tale sign that the problem is due to a faulty check valve is water getting back into the dishwasher tub. You need to replace the valve to fix the problem.

Other reasons why your dishwasher might not be draining include: faulty belt, drain hose, and timer. If you have the skills you can fix this problem, but if you don’t consider yourself a handyman, hire a kitchen appliance repair professional to help you out.

Leaking dishwasher

While some dishwashers fail to drain, others leak thus they don’t give the dishes the clean look they deserve. This problem comes about due to a defective pump or seal. The role of the pump is to circulate water in the dishwasher; therefore, when it has a defect, the water is meant to leak.

For you to stop the leaking, find the faulty part of the dishwasher pipe and fix it. Commercial appliance repair Fairfax also report that the dishwasher will leak if there are problems with the door gasket, water inlet valve, spray arm, and dispensers. You should identify the source of the problem and fix it.