Solving 2 Frequent Dishwasher Problems
A malfunctioning dishwasher can be a major source of aggravation, especially for those with large families. Fortunately, you may not need to hire a plumber or appliance repair person to help tackle certain problems. If you would like to increase your home appliance repair skills, read on. This article will present solutions to two frequently encountered dishwasher problems.
Clogged Sprayer
If your dishwasher still goes through all the motions of working, but just doesn't seem to get your dishes clean, the problem usually lies somewhere in the water distribution system. This is generally the result of clogs caused by either food debris or mineral deposits that have accumulated over time. Such clogs most commonly affect the sprayer arm responsible for flooding your dishes with hot soapy water.
The good news is that this problem shouldn't take more than a few minutes to fix. First, remove the bottom dish rack to gain access the sprayer arm. In some cases, the sprayer can simply be lifted free of its housing; in others there will be a bolt that has to be removed first.
Either way, once the sprayer arm is free, soak it in a sinkful of hot water for a few minutes. This will help to loosen up the clogs. Then use a toothpick to clear debris out of each hole along the sprayer. When reinstalling the arm, be careful that any washers you removed go back in the same order, otherwise the sprayer may not function correctly.
Stuck Float
The float's job is to control the amount of water that enters the machine. Much like the float in the tank of a toilet, increasing water levels cause a dishwasher float to rise. When it reaches a predetermined height, the water supply valve is closed, thus keeping any more water from flowing into the machine. If the float is not able to rise to a proper height, an insufficient amount of water will enter the washer, and thus your dishes will not be cleaned properly.
Floats are commonly prevented from rising by gunk and debris adhering to the float's stem. All that needs to happen to get the float working again is to clean the stem. First remove the float and clean it thoroughly. Then, using a sponge or pipe cleaner, do the same thing for the float stem. Now reattach the float, and gently test to ensure that it has a full range of motion up and down the stem. Contact a repair contractor, like A OK Appliance Service, for more help.