A dishwasher is a beneficial home appliance that increases convenience while also sanitizing your dishes. As with any appliance, a dishwasher can experience issues. Spotting these warning signs allows you to take prompt action so that you don’t have dirty dishes to deal with.
Food Residue on Dishes
If you’ve run a normal wash cycle and there is still food residue on your dishes, this is cause for concern. It’s possible your dishwasher is recirculating dirty water. If you have a unit with rotating spray arms, they may be malfunctioning and not moving. A dirty filter can cause food to be redeposited on dishes.
The issue may also be that you’re not stacking your dishes properly. Make sure all items are out of the way of the spray arms and make sure they spin freely before you shut the dishwasher door and start a cycle.
Cloudy Glassware
Glass that comes out of the dishwasher coated in a film or cloudy spots usually indicates the presence of hard minerals. Make sure you’re using the right detergent for your water quality. A rinse aid can also help prevent these spots. If hard water is an issue throughout your home, a water softener is a great way to reduce hard minerals like calcium and magnesium by replacing them with sodium or potassium ions.
Water Left in the Tub
Even if your dishes appear clean but you have water left in the bottom of your appliance, this can indicate a problem. There may be a clog in your dishwasher filter that’s preventing water from fully draining. The drain line may have a clog. This stagnant water can harbor bacteria, which results in unclean and unsafe dishes.
Leftover Detergent
Look for leftover dishwasher soap on dishes or inside the appliance. This can indicate that water isn’t being sufficiently heated during a run cycle. This can impede the process of disinfection and sterilization. Ideally, water temperatures should be around 120 degrees Fahrenheit and sanitation cycles may be higher. A professional can inspect the heating element in your dishwasher to ensure it functions properly.
Abnormal Noises During Operation
Dishwashers make a bit of noise when they’re running. However, pay attention to any abnormal noises like grinding, squeaking, or buzzing. Mechanical obstructions can cause these issues, which often prevent normal water spray. This leads to dirty dishes.
Take care of your dishwasher by scheduling routine maintenance at least once per year and professional repairs when necessary. Reach out to our team at Pinpoint Appliance Repair for more information or to schedule an appointment for professional dishwasher service in Knoxville, TN.
