Dishwasher Repair

Dishwasher problems we repair

We work on built-in dishwashers from most major brands such as Bosch, Samsung, LG, Whirlpool and GE.

Not draining

Water left in the tub usually comes from a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose, a clogged air gap (the small chrome cap on some sinks), or a drain pump that's jammed or failing. If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal that was just installed, the knockout plug inside the disposal inlet may never have been removed. That's a common problem in brand-new homes.

Dishes not getting clean

Check the filter first. Many modern dishwashers have a manual filter that needs cleaning, and a clogged one sends dirty water back over the dishes. Other causes are spray arm holes blocked by food or mineral scale, low water temperature, a failing wash motor, or a water inlet valve that isn't letting enough water in.

Leaking

Leaks can come from a worn door gasket, a loose or cracked drain or supply connection under the sink, a pump seal, or excess suds from using regular dish soap instead of dishwasher detergent. A dishwasher that isn't level can also let water escape at the door.

Dishes don't dry

Many newer dishwashers, especially European-style models, dry by condensation and rely on rinse aid; plastic items rarely dry fully. If drying suddenly gets worse, check the rinse aid dispenser, then we can test the heating element, vent or fan.

Won't start or stops mid-cycle

Common causes include a door latch or switch, a blown thermal fuse, a control board, or a flood-protection switch that has tripped because water collected in the base pan. That last one means there's a leak somewhere that needs to be found.

Hard water and your dishwasher

Much of greater Houston, including the Katy, Richmond and Sugar Land areas, has moderately hard to hard water. In a dishwasher, those minerals show up as:

• A cloudy white film on glasses that doesn't wipe off
• White crust on the tub, racks and heating element
• Spray arm holes slowly clogging with scale, which means weaker cleaning over time
• Scale in the water inlet valve, which reduces the amount of water coming in

To keep scale under control:

• Keep the rinse aid dispenser full. It helps water sheet off dishes instead of drying into spots.
• Clean the filter every few weeks, or more often if you don't pre-rinse.
• Run a dishwasher cleaner or a citric-acid cleaning cycle every month or two, following your manual.
• Use a quality detergent and the right amount; some detergents are formulated for hard water.
• If your dishwasher has a water hardness setting (many Bosch models do), set it to match your local water. Your utility's annual water quality report lists hardness.

Quick checks before you call

• Run the kitchen faucet until the water is hot before starting a cycle, so the dishwasher fills with hot water.
• Make sure tall items aren't blocking the spray arms or the detergent door.
• Check that the door latches firmly and that child lock or control lock isn't on.
• Look under the sink for drips at the hose connections.

If there's water on the floor, turn off the dishwasher's water supply (usually a valve under the kitchen sink) and switch the dishwasher off at the breaker or unplug it until it's been checked.

Most dishwasher repairs, like drain pumps, inlet valves, door gaskets, latches, spray arms and heating elements, are very reasonable compared with buying and installing a new dishwasher. If you do replace yours, see appliance installation for what a proper install needs. Regular filter and scale care is also part of our maintenance visits.