Homeowners expect dishwashers to work every time they press the button, but they can be a little temperamental and develop problems. Some of the most common are leaks or water flow problems, which you can diagnose on your own with the following guide.

How to Troubleshoot a Leaky Dishwasher

There are a number of issues that could lead to a leaky dishwasher. These are the easiest to troubleshoot and address like the overloading problem. Many people are going to be tempted to overload a dishwasher at some point because no one wants to turn on the machine more than once a day. Overloading can actually lead to leaks, so try to reduce your loads to see if that helps.

Another easy thing to troubleshoot is a clogged dishwasher. There are a number of places a clog could form, so you will have to clean out the traps, garbage disposal, or the food chopper if needed. Go ahead and run another load through your dishwasher when you are done getting rid of any clogs that might have developed to see if the issues have been resolved.

These are the easiest explanations for your leaky dishwasher, but there could be other problems that are a little harder to troubleshoot. Those who are comfortable with their dishwashing machine should unplug the machine, and check all the gaskets. These things can get damaged over time and cause leaks. There are a few gaskets to check like the one on the door along with the one on the soap door and the discharge gasket under the lower spray arm.

Of course, other possibilities exist, such as issues with the hose, pump, or the valves. All of these are a little harder to diagnose, so it is advisable to talk to a professional.

It is important that you take any leak seriously the moment it appears. The reason is because a leak could lead to major issues if left unattended. Water damage could not only rot your floors but could also cause black mold, which is especially hard to detect if all this is happening under the machine where most homeowners don’t usually check. You might have to talk to a specialist if you suspect water damage.

Troubleshooting Water Flow Problems

Water flow problems is another thing that some homeowners have to deal with. There are a number of reasons why your dishwasher might not fill up with water. Some of them are easier to detect than others. One of the easiest problems to fix is a disconnected water inlet hose, which is usually under the sink. Check the hose, and connect it if you need to.

Another problem you can check is if the tap on the hose is in the open or closed position. All you have to do is switch the tap, and run your dishwasher to see if the issue has been solved. Be sure to return the tap to its rightful position if the issue is not resolved since the problem lies elsewhere.

The problem could be linked to a more involved problem with the machine or even with your house plumbing. Be sure to talk to your repair specialist if you are unable to fix the problem.

About the Author: Charlie Teschner started MESA Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in 1982. Charlie has a journeyman and master plumber’s license. He was raised with a strong work ethic and he now applies those values to tasks such as Longmont, CO heating repair.