The perfect pair is when you like to cook and they like to do the dishes? However, perfection is truly subjective and sometimes, nobody wants to do the dishes. That doesn’t make a pair less perfect—just not keen on doing dirty dishes. Thankfully, modern technology has invented the dishwasher to fill that gap. Thanks to it, the need for doing dishes may be gone, but you still need dishwasher repair service to keep it running. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how best to maintain your dishwasher.
Why Regular Maintenance Matters
Your dishwasher may seem self-sufficient, but it is a piece of machinery at the end of the day. So, as machines do, it, too, requires regular care to function at its peak. If you neglect maintenance for too long, it will only lead to issues such as clogs, leaks, and reduced cleaning capabilities. Regular servicing, just like in a car, extends the lifespan of appliances and keeps them doing their job properly—like the dishwasher spewing out sparkling clean dishes every time.
Can You DIY It? Kinda — But Not Fully
Similar to how a stove repair service includes tasks that one can do themselves and others that one shouldn’t attempt at all unless they know what they’re doing.
There are practices one should perform between dishwasher servicing. These include cleaning the filter monthly, running a cleaning cycle with dishwasher cleaner, wiping down the doors, and scraping food off the dishes before loading (the big chunks, not pre-rinsing).
However, other more critical things should be left to the professionals, such as a deep clean and working on the electrical components.
What Does a Dishwasher Service Actually Include?
It’s best to remember that servicing and cleaning aren’t the same thing. Servicing includes cleaning, but cleaning does not include servicing—so it’s far more than just a wipe-down and calling it a day. A proper dishwasher service checklist includes:
- Cleaning internal filters and spray arms
- Inspecting seals, hoses, and gaskets
- Checking for leaks or worn-out components
- Testing drainage and water flow
- Running diagnostics if the dishwasher has digital error codes
Some techs even take the front panel off to make sure the wiring and control board are in good shape.
Signs Your Dishwasher Might Be Screaming for Help
The dishwasher, thankfully, doesn’t start throwing out sparks when something is wrong with it, but it definitely gives out subtle hints that it might be time to call a professional and get its issues fixed. These signs include, but aren’t limited to:
- If the glasses are cloudy, there’s gunk stuck on the plates, and the dishwasher basically doesn’t clean like it used to—something’s up
- Strange noises like grinding, buzzing or humming are not supposed to happen
- A funky-smelling dishwasher means food is trapped between filters and seals
- A little water is okay, but standing water? Not so much. That can be a drainage issue or a sign the filter is clogged
Okay, So How Often Should You Actually Service Your Dishwasher?
If you find yourself wondering Why Your Dishwasher Smells Bad and How to Fix It, the answer is cleaning and servicing. How often should you clean it? The answer is every month. As for how often you should service it? It’s a bit more complicated, as that depends upon your usage and how well you treat it.
If your dishwasher gets a daily workout, an annual service paired with monthly cleaning should be more than enough. For occasional use (say, a few times a week), you might even get away with every 18 to 24 months. However, skipping service altogether is a recipe for disaster and will only result in needing home appliance repair services later on.
Why Regular Service Actually Saves You Money
If you’re already calling someone out for dishwasher servicing, you might as well ask about your other kitchen workhorses. A lot of home appliance repair pros offer multi-appliance tune-ups—ovens, microwaves, even fridges.
You see, bundled services are usually more cost-effective, and you end up getting your entire home into order because of it. Regular servicing extends the lifespan of your assets, and it is certainly a lot cheaper than going out and buying a brand-new dishwasher. Not to mention, well-maintained dishwashers use less energy and water. So your bills stay a bit lighter too. Win-win.
So, What’s the Final Word
A bit of regular care goes a long way in saving yourself some extra cash, stress, and improperly washed dishes when you least expect it. If your dishwasher shows any of the signs of service we mentioned above, do not ignore it—call in someone who knows how to fix it ASAP.
