Your dishwasher is one of the central appliances of your home, and is arguably the one that saves you the greatest amount of time and labor. However, like all other appliances in your home, there are a number of ways that your dishwasher can malfunction, affecting how well it is able to do its job and potentially causing damage to the surrounding area in your kitchen at the same time. Being aware of the most common signs of dishwasher issues can help you figure out when you should get in touch with an appliance repair specialist to take a look at your unit.

Leaks

By far the most common, and also the most serious, signs of issues with your dishwasher is if water leaks out of any part of the appliance. Water that seeps out of your dishwasher while it is in operation can point to a broken or old seal around the edges, and leaking in the surrounding cupboards can indicate that there is an issue with the attached plumbing or drain line that could cause serious structural damage to the surrounding area in your kitchen. Avoid using your dishwasher until a plumber or appliance repair specialist has had the chance to look at it.

Drainage Issues

In a somewhat related vein, you should talk to an appliance repair specialist if you find that your dishwasher has a great deal of standing water in it after the cycle completes. In some cases, that water may still drain, but simply do so very slowly over a long period of time. More often than not, a drainage issue is simply caused by too much food residue that has accumulated in the drain line over a long period of time, and a cleaning (and maybe a snake to clear out the drain) is all that is necessary to get things working properly again.

Ineffective Cleaning

Finally, the last sign that your dishwasher is in need of professional attention is if it does not properly clean the dishes that you load into it. Food residue, soap scum and other stains and discoloration that remain on your glassware and dishes at the end of the cycle can point to issues with the spray arms, either because of a clog or some sort of mechanical issue. A holistic inspection will be able to pinpoint the malfunction and determine the next steps that you should take.

For more information, reach out to an appliance repair service.