5 Tips to Avoid Dishwasher Repairs

Please note: Metropolitan Plumbing does not provide dishwasher repairs. This is for two reasons:

• In many cases, replacing the dishwasher rather than repairing it can be cheaper. 

• You will potentially void your warranty if you have anyone other than the manufacturer carry out the repair. 

No matter how much we try, there never seems to be enough hours in the day to get everything done. Between work, play and sleep, we also need to tackle the household chores. One of the most frequent tasks, usually required daily, is washing the dishes.

Sure, you can certainly wash them by hand in the kitchen sink. However, the convenience of just loading them into the dishwasher and letting it take care of business – the old ‘set and forget’ – is hard to look past.

But like any major household appliance, the dishwasher must be treated right if you want it to go the distance. To ensure optimal performance and avoid potentially costly dishwasher repairs, follow these five simple steps.

Tip #1 – Clean Your Dishwasher Regularly

Your dishwasher may take care of getting your cutlery, crockery and cookware cleaned, but it too needs regular maintenance and TLC to make sure it continues working properly. One of the simplest ways to reduce the need for dishwasher repair is to give it a regular clean – once every three months will do. Thankfully, it’s a relatively hassle-free process.

All you need to do is fill a sizeable, dishwasher-friendly bowl with two cups of white vinegar. Set it on the top rack of your dishwasher and run the unit on a full cycle. Once that cycle is complete, throw in a quarter of a cup of baking soda on the floor of the dishwashing unit and set it for another cycle. This will remove any remaining odours and ultimately reduce the need for dishwasher repairs.

Tip #2 – Break Up One Large Wash Into Two or Three

You see it on television sitcoms from days gone by – the young child who is told to clean his room and stuffs everything into the wardrobe. The room may look spotless, sure, but the wardrobe is bursting at the seams and the second someone opens it, everything spills out.

Well, your dishwasher is similar in that way. An overloaded dishwasher can result in water spilling out, which in turn leads to leaking water at the base of the unit. The best way to avoid this and the dishwasher repairs that would follow is to do two or three smaller wash cycles instead.

Additionally, overloading the dishwasher prevents the soap and water from being able to circulate freely through the unit, reducing its effectiveness with the cleaning.

Tip #3 – Use the Hot Water Setting

Setting your dishwasher to clean with hot water offers three key benefits:

• It is more effective at killing bacteria and cleaning your dishes
• Hot water helps stop the build up of messy debris in your machine, therefore slowing down the need for dishwasher repairs
• It can also help prevent your pipes from freezing in the cooler months of the year

Using the unit regularly, not just once in a while, can also be highly beneficial and minimise the need for a dishwasher repair service specialist later down the line. Running the dishwasher at least once every two weeks helps it to continue functioning properly and that the seals don’t dry out.

Tip #4 – Use the Correct Dishwashing Detergent Product

Did you know that dishwashing machines require a different soap to that which you’d use for hand washing your dishes? Though you will typically use a liquid dishwashing detergent for the kitchen sink, it should not be used in a dishwasher. In fact, the suds it produces can damage the mechanical components of your unit.

The best and most suitable dishwasher detergent products produced by major brands come in tablet, powder or gel form. Be sure to not overfill the dishwasher with detergent, whether it’s putting too much powder in the dispenser, or throwing in too many tablets into the main unit.

This can put your dishwasher under unnecessary strain. Plus, excess soap can leave an unpleasant residue on your washed dishes. By using the right amount of the right dishwashing detergent, you can decrease the need for appliance repairs.

Tip #5 – Remove as Much Debris from Your Dishes as Possible

If you’ve hand washed more than one dinner-smeared dish in your time washing dishes, you’ll know that leaving remnants of that dinner to harden on the plate makes washing it all the more difficult. The dishwasher also prefers loaded dirty dishes to be as free of food particles as possible. Anything left on the plate or in the saucepan can get into the washer arms and pump screens.

Once they get into these parts of the dishwasher, they can form blockages. This stops the dishwasher from draining properly, and will likely require the expertise of a dishwasher repairs specialist.

Scraping off all your plates and dirty dishes first before loading the dishwasher will help avoid this problem.

Prevention of Appliance Repairs is Better Than Cure

From temperamental washing machines to a broken dishwasher, the best way to avoid the need for an appliance repair technician is to address minor issues before they become major problems. Prevention is almost always better than cure, and that is true when it comes to dishwasher repair services.

Consumer website Canstar states that Australian homeowners typically upgrade their dishwashers after about eight years. By following these tips:

• Cleaning your dishwasher once every three to six months
• Not overloading your dishwasher
• Cleaning off the food particles from your plate before loading the washer
• Using the right quantity of the right type of dishwashing detergent
• Setting your dishwasher to use hot water

You can avoid the need for a dishwasher repair technician and get the most out of it for years to come.

Your Dishwasher Installation Specialists

If you find that even the most stringent measures to avoid dishwasher repairs aren’t helping, contact Metropolitan Plumbing. In many cases, we find that when your dishwasher breaks, replacing it can be cheaper than getting your dishwasher fixed. Metropolitan Plumbing specialises in new installations.

We work with all major dishwasher brands to make sure your choice is the right choice for your home.

Metropolitan appreciates the urgency of getting your new dishwasher up and running ASAP. This is why we provide efficient and timely service. We also stress the importance of having a licensed professional install your new dishwasher. Try to DIY it, and you’ll run the risk of voiding your warranty.

An expert technician from our team will aim to be at your home within an hour* of your call to install your new appliance. For trusted expertise and an efficient service response, give us a call today or contact us online.

Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.