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How to fix common dishwasher problems yourself
You should expect your dishwasher to last at least 10 years without breaking down, but many dishwashers can develop faults earlier. Luckily, lots of minor issues can be fixed with simple repairs. With advice from the repair experts at eSpares.co.uk, they explain how to do easy five-minute and intermediate dishwasher repairs, as well those that are more ambitious and might require a little more skill. More often than not DIY repairs are not only possible but are also cheaper and more environmentally-friendly, so we at UKTH encourage you to give it a go.
Easy five-minute dishwasher repairs These issues are quick and simple to fix. There’s no need to take the dishwasher apart and no need for any specialist equipment or experience to complete these repairs. 1. Smelly dishwasher? Wash the filter
1. Smelly dishwasher? Wash the filter
The filter sits at the base of the dishwasher and catches large food particles so they don’t get into the inner working of the machine and cause blockages. Filters are designed to clip out easily for regular cleaning. They just need rinsing under the tap once a week. A filter that’s excessively dirty or damaged (or missing in the case of a second-hand machine) can be replaced with a brand new part that simply slots or clips into place. If this doesn’t fix it, read our full guide on how to clean a dishwasher.
2. Wobbly basket? Replace the wheels
Stuck or missing wheels make loading or unloading a dishwasher a real pain. It’s a no brainer to get some replacement wheels. The old wheels can be pulled off and the new ones clipped on with ease.
3. Poor cleaning? Unclog the spray arms
The spray arms are the long flat plastic parts that rotate and spray water around the dishwasher, rinsing and cleaning the dishes. If your dishwasher is not cleaning efficiently, it’s worth taking a look at the spray arms as if they’re clogged or damaged it’s a quick fix. Spray arms can be simply unclipped and either cleaned or new ones clipped in place. And don’t forget to give the spray arm mounting a clean while it’s exposed too.
Intermediate dishwasher repairs
Fixing these faults may take a bit longer, involve more steps or require the removal of some panels or parts within the machine. However, none require any special electrical knowledge, so they are still quite accessible to anyone willing to give them a go. Some basic equipment like different types of screwdrivers or pliers might be required, but most homes have these common DIY tools already.
1. Dishwasher not draining? Unblock the pump
The drain pump is the part that drains the dirty water out of the dishwasher, and can easily get blocked with bits of broken glass or crockery or build-ups of food or even hair. The pump is found at the bottom of the machine and can be taken apart, cleaned out and put back together with relative ease. The dishwasher will need to be tilted on its back and the base plate unscrewed and removed to get to the pump. The biggest challenge with this repair is remembering how to reassemble the machine once you’ve cleaned out the debris in the pump. Taking photos on your phone can be useful for reference.
2. Dishwasher leaking? Fix the door hinge and seals
The door hinge lets the door open and close smoothly. Many dishwasher doors have a hinge pulley system that stops the door from falling open and slamming down onto the floor (or someone’s foot). If the door is loose or heavy with nothing counterbalancing it, remove the side panels to investigate the hinge mechanism. The problem will most likely become clear after some inspection. You can then source a replacement for the faulty part and watch a video to get familiar with the exact repairs process for your machine
3. Detergent dispenser broken? Get a replacement
The detergent dispenser holds the dishwasher capsule in place until the right point in the cycle to release it. If the dispenser is damaged, not closing or stuck closed it can be removed from the machine and a new one clipped in place. The front panel of the dishwasher, or cupboard door in the case of built-in dishwashers, will need to be removed and any electrical connections will need to be unclipped. However, it’s not complicated to disconnect and push out the old dispenser and reconnect the new one in exactly the same way.
4. Replacing dishwasher hoses
There are two hoses that connect to the back of your dishwasher. The fill hose allows clean water into the machine whereas the drain hose allows the dirty water to pass out of the machine into the drain. Online spare parts websites like espares.co.uk let you differentiate between the two hoses so that if one develops a leak you can simply unscrew it and source a replacement. Knowing the difference between the two hoses is also key to installing your own dishwasher. This knowledge is handy when buying a new machine as it will save you money on the installation fee. It’s even handier when you’re moving house as you don’t have to arrange an appliance engineer on top of all the other life admin.
Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/07/how-to-fix-common-dishwasher-problems-yourself/ – Which?
In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).
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