You may notice signs of a problem before your dishwasher stops working.
If the thoughts of washing dishes by hand makes you cringe then you'd better keep an eye out for warning signs that your dishwasher is having problems. When your dishwasher decides to flake out on you, you may end up elbow deep in soapy water and pots and pans. While you won't be able to see the problem coming in every instance, there are signs to watch for indicating an immediate issue with the appliance.
Shake and Rattle
You may have heard of water hammer before. It is the loud banging sound often associated with a shake or rattle in your water pipes when the water supply is suddenly shut off somewhere in your home. Water hammer can also happen as a result of a troubled dishwasher. The water inlet valve is the mechanism that lets water into the machine. When it begins to fail it sometimes shuts and opens quickly and at times when it is not supposed to. This problem can often be detected as water hammer in the pipes leading to your dishwasher as it runs. It can also prevent enough water from getting to the dishes and may leave them dirty.
Noisy Motor
If you hear an unusual noise coming from inside the dishwasher it could be a sign that the appliance's motor is going out. Failure of the motor can stop the dishwasher from functioning at all, but there is usually plenty of warning in the form of noisy bearings inside the motor. The problem is often a broken seal that protects the motor's inner workings from the water in the machine. When the seal is ruptured it allows water to wash away the oil from the bearings and the lack of lubrication leads to premature wear of the bearings and lots of noise.
Error Codes
If you have a dishwasher with a digital readout on the front panel then you may be fortunate enough to have the problem spelled out to you -- at least in code. The codes vary by brand, but if you are getting an alphanumeric message on the front of your dishwasher that isn't typical during use then it is likely a code that will indicate to the technician that something is wrong inside the appliance.
Dirty Dishes
If your dishes are dirty after you run the machine, then it is a sign something is not right with it. The lack of cleanliness could be the result of a clogged spray arm or a spray arm that isn't spinning properly. It could indicate the aforementioned faulty water inlet valve or it may simply indicate the need for better detergent.
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