It’s easy to take simple, modern appliances for granted until one of those simple, modern appliances stops working for you. A dishwasher is a perfect example. It wasn’t that long ago that most people washed dishes by hand. But now, most of us have never known life without a dishwasher, and most of us don’t want to.
If you’re nodding your head in agreement, then you’ll want to know what to do to keep your dishwasher running optimally for years to come. Your first step to keeping your dishwasher running is to understand that these appliances are prone to clogging.
4 Signs Your Dishwasher is Clogged
Here are some ways you can tell your dishwasher is clogged:
1. It’s Not Cleaning Your Dishes
A fairly obvious sign that something is amiss. Clogged dishwashers simply can’t get dishes truly clean.
2. It’s Making Weird Noises
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A working dishwasher will make soft noises of water running and sprayer arms sprying. But when you start to notice new sounds, ominous sounds, coming from your dishwasher, that’s never a good sign.
3. Water is Backing Up into Your Sink When You Run Your Dishwasher
Your kitchen sink and dishwasher are connected to the same main water line. If water starts backing up into your sink when you run the dishwasher, you’ve most likely got a clog.
4. Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain
Got dirty standing water pooling in the bottom of your dishwasher after it’s gone through a full wash cycle? You’ve got a clog. This can get pretty nasty because mold and bacteria can begin to grow and spread inside your machine.
How to Prevent Your Dishwasher from Clogging
If your dishwasher is not showing any of the above signs, that’s a good thing and your dishwasher is running properly. Now here are some tips on how you can prevent your dishwasher from clogging:
Always Rinse Your Dishes First
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Yes, your dishwasher was invented to wash your dishes, but it wasn’t necessarily invented to handle the leftover spaghetti Bolognese clinging to all the bowls and plates. You must always rinse the food debris off of your plates and also, by using a garbage disposal or all of that food will end up clogging the filter over time.
If Possible, Use a Whole-House Water Filtration System
If you have hard water, the mineral content can begin to build up in your dishwasher and other appliances that use water. This sediment will eventually form a clog, and you’ll have a really bad day. Homes with hard water should consider using a whole-house filtration system to protect their appliances and hot water heater.
Mind Your Filter Basket
At the bottom of your dishwasher is a drain and on top of this is a filter-basket, which protects your drain from food debris that could clog your drain. The thing is, this filter basket can get filled pretty quickly if not cleaned regularly, so do clean it regularly.
Got a Clogged Dishwasher?
If you’ve cleaned your filter basket but your dishwasher is still clogged, you’ll need to call in pros that can handle all sorts of dishwasher repairs. That’s us. Just give us a call and we will help troubleshoot and fix whatever the problem may be.
