There is not a whole lot that is more gratifying than saving money and time simultaneously; your dishwasher is an appliance that can do just that. Not only does it clean your dishes in a fraction of the time the 10 finger model can do it, dishwashers generally use less water which translates to less water heater energy as well.
Usually over time, you might see that your dishwasher isn’t delivering the performance you’re used to anymore, or it may develop a rather unappetizing odor. A little love every so often can assist in avoiding these issues.To keep your dishwasher in tip top shape, take a look at these easy maintenance tips:
Seal Inspections
Your dishwasher will probably outlive the rubber gasket that creates your watertight seal around its door. Should this happen, the gasket will crack and start to leak water onto the floor or inside your cabinets. You can either contact the manufacturer of your dishwasher to find a suitable replacement, or you can call us, A Better Plumber, for the repair and save yourself some time.
Screen Cleaning
At the very bottom of the inside of your dishwasher, you should see a screen specially designed to catch the larger chunks of food and fallen silverware. You should remove and clean this screen on a regular basis to ensure proper water flow and avoid unnecessary odors.
Spray Arm Nozzles
Dishwasher designs vary quite a bit, but most feature two or more rotating arms, that are removable, with spray nozzles on them. Every so often, take out those arms following the instruction manual from the manufacturer. Let them soak in warm, soapy water then take a small bottle brush to carefully scrub each individual spray nozzle.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew are not uncommon dwellers in a dishwasher, but luckily, they are easy problems to fix. Pour around two cups of apple cider or white vinegar into your dishwasher and run it empty on the heaviest, longest wash setting to clear those things out.
Level It Out
Place a standard bubble level across the bottom of your dishwasher to make sure it actually sitting flat and level. Adjust the legs on your dishwasher if it’s not. An uneven dishwasher can create poor performance and issues with proper drainage.
Proper Drain Line
Most plumbing drains in a house have a drain trap – a u-shaped pipe section fairly close to the opening of the drain. This trap can be handy in saving a dropped wedding ring or earring, but it can help even more with blocking odors by making a watertight seal between the outside sewer line and your dishwasher. However, if your dishwasher drain line was installed by a clueless builder on the wrong side of this trap, all of those gross sewer odors will make themselves at home in your kitchen.
It only takes a few minutes every week or so to go through these steps and it will help prolong your dishwasher’s life and help keep your kitchen a pleasant place to be. Should you happen to decide these are a complete wastes of time and end up needing professional help with your dishwasher, call 301-278-8786 right away and well will gladly help you out of any situation.
