A dishwashing machine is a complex unit. With flow meters, inlet valves, two pumps, a control panel and an electronic brain to mention only a few of the parts which can fail, it is no surprise that at least half of our call outs are to dishwashers that are not draining. This is usually because tiny or large food scraps have caught in the very last part of the drainage chain of the unit, the spigot, under the sink where it joins the main drainage beneath the sink. We also see glass, bone and other food scraps blocking up the pump, and occasionally thick fat build up in the drainage.
Avoid this issue by cleaning off and rinsing the dishes before they go into the dishwasher, and keeping the filters in the bottom of the unit emptied and washed. Use a supermarket de-scaler regularly to prevent lime scale build up, and keep the seals clean by wiping them down. This will also help keep the spray arms clear, which is good, because they are really difficult to clean out once clogged up.
If its only a blockage, you will only be up for a service call and labour if we come out to clear it out, but don’t keep trying to make it work, or you will put extra pressure on the pump, which will only hasten its demise, so give us a call if you have a blockage, but avoid blockages with regular maintenance and rinsed dishes and the dish and the spoon will want to stay home with the cat and the fiddle.
