A dishwasher is one of the most convenient and relied-upon appliances in a kitchen, which is why a malfunctioning or broken one is a major concern for homeowners. Luckily for those willing to roll up their sleeves for DIY repairs, many problems with dishwashers can be resolved with a basic toolkit and appliance parts. Below are some of the most common repairs dishwashers require.

What Dishwasher Repairs Can I Do Myself?

1. Leaking

Dishwashers must contain water to ensure your plates, cups, and utensils are cleaned properly. If your dishwasher is leaking, first check the gaskets in the heating element and around the rim of the door for any cracks, wear, or debris that could be blocking them. Visible cracks could be a sign that you need new gaskets.

Other appliance parts you should check include the hoses, pump, or pump seal. Ensure these are seated properly before testing for proper function after making repairs.

2. Dishes Aren’t Clean

If your dishes come out of the wash cycle with film, spots, or food residue on them, check the strainer, sprayer arms, and door gasket for any built-up food particles. After removing any debris, run a cleaning cycle in the emptied dishwasher before attempting to clean your dishes again.

It may also be that the sprayer arms don’t have sufficient pressure. Try removing and disassembling these before soaking them in warm water, then brush the nozzles with a toothbrush and pipe cleaner to clear any blockages.

3. Failure to Start

If your dishwasher doesn’t turn on when the power button is pressed, it’s probably not receiving electricity. Check your breaker box for any tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses, replacing or switching these back on as needed.

Use a multimeter to test the outlet your dishwasher is plugged into. If the outlet is malfunctioning, consider replacing it after cutting off the power supply. Finally, if your dishwasher door isn’t fully closed, the machine won’t start. Check to ensure you’re closing it completely, or check the latch for any visible damage or defects and replace it if necessary.

 

For your next DIY project, turn to Appliance Parts of Radcliff for all of your supplies. Located in Kentucky, this local appliance parts supplier offers an extensive selection of parts for refrigerators, dishwashers, air conditioning equipment, and much more. Call (270) 352-2900 for more information, or check their website for a list of manufacturers whose products they support.