Regular maintenance on your dishwasher will save you time and most importantly – money. However, before you pull out the toolbox, you need to know how your particular brand of dishwasher works.
There are two basic designs of dishwashers. A Direct Drive model has parts that are small and straightforward. When running, the drain valve is open and the drain tube is closed. Water is then directed to the spray arms. When draining, the valve closes and water goes out the drain tube. In a Forward-Reversing machine the wash, drain and drive pumps are larger and the parts can move both forward and backward. When washing, the pump pushed the water into the spray arms and the drain pump pumps backward so it has no effect. In drain mode the motor reverses direction, the pump pushes the water out the drain tube and the wash pump turns backward. If the water does not drain properly, you need to understand the difference between the two. A forward-reversing machine stops the motor and restarts in the other direction to drain water. A direct drive does not. If your dishwasher is not operating properly, you might be able to fix the problem.
If your dishes are not clean, change your brand of soap. You should also clean the filter. Ensure the water temperature is between 125 and 140 F. Also check for splits or leaks in the spray arm and pump.If the machine will not starting and/or complete a cycle, be sure the door is closed securely. If this is not the problem, check the plug, socket and switch to ensure they are working.
If the water is not spraying during the wash cycle, be sure the hot and cold hoses are connected to the proper caps and are turned on.
If the water doesn’t drain, look for kinks or food stuck in the outlet and drain hoses.You also need to know how to access the parts in your dishwasher. First, you must remove the access panel. On most models, it is located on the front at the bottom. Behind this panel, you will find the motor and pump system, water-inlet valve, drain solenoid, float switch, thermostat, drying fan and garbage disposal, if there is one.At the top of the dishwasher are the timer, selector switch and (maybe) a soil sensor. The heating element is at the bottom of the machine under the lower spray arm.If you determine that you need a professional and you live in the Los AngelesCounty area, you will want to go to www.chiefappliance.com for more information on the details and services that are available. If you need to replace your dishwasher, Chief Appliances has a wide variety of brands and models to choose from. The cost can range anywhere from $550 to $1,500 depending on the make and model. However, remember that you get what you pay for, so it’s best to compare both prices and features.
