You depend on your dishwasher every day, so when something goes wrong, it causes quite an inconvenience. While there are some types of dishwasher repairs that you can attempt on your own, sometimes you need to call in a professional. Knowing when to contact someone in the know can save you time and money.
Before you consider doing any type of fix-it job on your dishwasher, make sure that you know how to shut off both the electricity and the water supply. To try to repair any appliance without taking the proper precautions may put you at risk for electrocution. At the very least, you could short the electrical system or create a flood, both of which may end up being very costly, both in time and in money. If you have any doubts about how to safely work on your dishwasher, call a qualified dishwasher repair specialist.
If the dishwasher has suddenly stopped working, make sure that a circuit breaker is not tripped. This simply involves looking in your electrical panel and making sure that all of the switches are where they should be. If that's not the problem, make sure that the dishwasher door is shutting all of the way. If something is in the way of the latch that clicks the door closed, the dishwasher will not start. Assuming all is well so far; try resetting all of the control buttons, then pushing the desired options in all of the way. If your dishwasher still will not work, it's time to call a professional.
If your dishwasher is making a loud noise while running, remove all of the dishes and the racks, and look in the bottom to be sure that nothing is stuck. Sometimes a fork or other utensil will get caught under the revolving fan that sprays water. Also, sometimes simply rearranging the dishes will eliminate a noise. If it is coming from the motor itself, it is best to call someone who knows what to do.
Racks that will not slide in and out easily are often easily repaired. Remove the racks, then make sure that the casters are lined up properly. Slide the drawer in and out a few times to see if it is sticking anywhere. Sometimes the wheels need to be replaced; you can buy these at your local hardware store, or you can order them from the store where you purchased your dishwasher.
A poorly draining dishwasher may be due to having food or calcium deposits accumulated near the drain. Remove any food that you can see, and run an empty load with a cup of vinegar to remove calcium build-up. If the problem persists, it may be a plumbing problem, which requires a call to a plumber or dishwasher repair professional.
Your dishwasher should give you years of service. By keeping it clean and in good condition, you can extend its lifetime. Don't be afraid to rely on a professional when necessary to keep your dishwasher and your kitchen in good working order.