Dishwasher Troubleshooting 101: Tips For Homeowners

As a homeowner, you may have dealt with a variety of smaller plumbing issues on your own with no problems. Things like clogged drains, plugged toilets, and leaky valves are often easy to resolve even without the services of a professional plumber. But, what happens when your dishwasher is acting up? These are fairly complex units, and can be puzzling to troubleshoot. Here are some things you should know about dishwasher troubles and the plumbing issues that can contribute to them.

The Dishwasher Is Not Filling At All

Ideally, when you turn on your dishwasher, it should draw water in from the incoming supply line to wash your dishes. Most units also heat the water as it comes in to be sure that it is hot enough to get the dishes clean. However, if your dishwasher isn't filling with water at all, this renders the entire unit useless. There are a few things that can cause this.

Check The Door Latch: Your dishwasher is fitted with a safety latch that only activates the water flow when the door is closed completely. This is to prevent your dishwasher from pouring water all over the floor if the door doesn't get latched. Check to see if you hear a click when you close the door. If not, the latch may be stuck. Try to clear the latch and then test it again. If the door is clicking when it closes, it could be a problem with the electrical board on the sensor for the latch. You'll want to have the board tested and replaced if it is faulty.

Inspect The Float Switch: Inside your dishwasher tub is a float switch that is designed to shut off the incoming water flow when the dishwasher is filled to the optimal level. Sometimes, food debris can cause this float to stick. If it is stuck, the dishwasher will read that as a full water level and therefore won't add any more. Check the float switch and clean it if necessary to ensure that it isn't the source of the problem.

Make Sure It Is Getting Water: A lack of water in the supply line could be another cause for your dishwasher not filling. Eliminate your main water line as the source of the problem first by turning on the faucet nearest your dishwasher. If water flows there, it's not the main line. In that case, check under the sink where the T-valve is located that allows water to flow from that line to your dishwasher. Make sure that the valve is open, and then follow the supply line all the way to your dishwasher to be sure that it isn't damaged. You can try replacing this line if you're concerned that there's a clog.

If none of these things solve the problem, you will need to call a plumber for further assistance.

The Dishwasher Is Leaking Water

A leaky dishwasher is a serious problem, because it can cause all kinds of water damage and associated issues in your home. If your dishwasher is leaking, there could be a few different causes.

Examine The Door Gasket: The gasket around the door of your dishwasher should provide a watertight seal to prevent water from flowing out of the unit while it's running. Check to be sure that the gasket is still secure and in good condition. If it's crushed, loose, or damaged, replace it and see if that solves your problem.

Ensure That The Water Line Is Secure: Over time, the connection on the water line may come loose. If it does, it will allow water to drip past the connection, creating a leak. Make sure that the connection is threaded tightly and that the water isn't flowing from there. You can even apply some plumber's tape to the threads to help add more of a barrier.

Look Under The Unit: If water is coming from underneath the dishwasher, it could be coming from either the inbound water spout, the drain line, or the water pump itself. Check all of these by removing the kick plate at the base of the unit. If any of them are visibly wet, contact a plumber to help you replace them properly.