Dishwasher Troubleshooting: 6 Signs Yours Is Heading for a Breakdown

As the appropriately-named Being an Adult Is Hard blog states, washing dishes is the worst. Seriously, find anyone who enjoys the old-fashioned way of doing this particular chore when they have the option of a dishwasher available. It’s a difficult ask.

Many of us rely on our dishwasher to handle this arduous task for us, so when it goes on the fritz, we’re at an absolute loss. Especially if it has to get repaired by a plumber or an electrician.

So, if you want to avoid days of dirty dishes and costly repairs, these 6 dishwasher troubleshooting signs are something you need to watch out for.

1. The Dishes Feel Cold

Most dishwashers use incredibly hot water to help clean your plates and glasses. If they feel cold when you take them out, and you didn’t leave them overnight, it could be a sign that your heating element is dying. This is not a problem you can fix by Googling “how to fix a broken dishwasher”.

2. Your Dishes Aren’t Getting Clean

Now, hold on. We’re not saying that any dishes with food residue are the sign of dishwasher troubles ahead. There might be an issue with the detergent you’re using or a stubborn stain. However, if multiple runs and changing detergents don’t do the trick, you might need to call a repairman.

3. Your Dishwasher Has Standing Water

If there’s standing water in the bottom of your dishwasher, according to masterrooter.com, you need to act quickly and take 5 specific steps to resolve the issue. Check out their article about the subject for more information.

4. There’s a Leak

Obviously, if there’s a puddle of water on the floor near your dishwasher, something, somewhere, has gone wrong. As soon as you see a puddle on the floor of your kitchen, you need to cut the water supply and start drying/dehumidifying the area while you call the plumber. The longer you let the leak sit, the higher the risk of water damage becomes.

5. Your Dishwasher Is Cracked

If the dishwasher itself has a crack in it, leaks and other severe problems aren’t far behind. Even if they look like hairline cracks, it’s better to replace the dishwasher when it shows signs of physical damage than risk flooding your kitchen.

6. It Makes Weird Noises

Now, all dishwashers over a certain age will be loud when they’re running. However, if yours usually runs quietly and has become loud, that’s a sign that you need serious dishwasher troubleshooting. Don’t wait until weird noises turn into severe problems to contact a plumber.

Want to Learn More Dishwasher Troubleshooting Tips?

The 6 signs we listed above indicate that you need to call a plumber for some dishwasher troubleshooting before you have to call them for a costly repair. However, there are ways you can keep your dishwasher running at peak efficiency without external help. In fact, there are many small adjustments you can make all over your house to avoid expensive repairs down the line. For these, check out the Home Improvement section of our blog for more content like this.