Tips & Tricks: Dishwasher Not Draining

Here’s an appliance issue that just about everyone can relate to: your dishwasher is not draining properly.

It’s a common appliance headache and one that our technicians at Appliance Rescue Service fix on a routine basis. When your dishwasher isn’t draining, it is important to get the situation under control asap as to avoid hand washing piles of dishes or having unwanted smells in the kitchen. Before calling the experts at Appliance Rescue, try these tips and tricks to see if they fix the issue:

1.   Clean the Drain Basket

When something isn’t draining – whether it’s a sink, shower, or dishwasher – one would assume there is a clog somewhere and there is no better place to start than with the drain basket. Look near the base of the spray arms or off to the side of the dishwasher, locate the drain basket, and clean it out. While a little gross, removing the sludge and food debris from the drain basket may be the key to your issue.

2.   Run an Empty Load

Sometimes all it takes is an empty run cycle to push any clogs through and solve the problem. You will quickly know after the wash cycle whether or not this worked to solve your dishwasher drain issue.

3.   Inspect the Garbage Disposal Hose

Many dishwashers are tied to the garbage disposal, so when a clog happens in the garbage disposal, the problem manifests itself in the dishwasher. To check this issue, disconnect the garbage disposal, and then disconnect the disposal hose. Use a long object to push any debris out of the hose (a screwdriver works well), reconnect, and then run another empty dishwasher cycle to see if the issue is fixed.

4.   Look for a Drain Hose Kink

Check your owner’s manual to see where the drain hose is located, but most commonly, it’s located below the door hinges on the front of the dishwasher.  Remove the panel cover and you should see the hose right there. Look for any kinks or visual issues.

Still having dishwasher drain issues? We hope these tips helped to solve the issue, but if not, it might signify a more serious problem with your unit. Call Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas today to get the problem solved quickly and professionally. 

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5 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Appliances

It’s easy to forget what workhorses our major appliances are. Dishwashers, disposals, washing machines, ovens, microwaves, and even refrigerators are the unsung heroes that keep our homes running smoothly.

Don’t let these valuable home assets deteriorate before their time! Follow these simple appliance maintenance tips from Appliance Rescue Service to extend the life of your home appliances:

1.    Dishwashers – Pre-Rinse all Dishes

Many dishwashers these days claim a pre-rinse is unnecessary for crystal clean dishes, but it’s still a good idea for the health of your dishwasher. Over time, food debris can stop up the spray arms and could cause the pump to fail prematurely.

2.   Washing Machine – Don’t Overload the Clothes

It’s easy to want to cram as much clothes into the washing machine as possible, but don’t! This could lead to washing machine repair. Overloading requires the washing machine to work harder than it’s intended, stressing the motor, tub bearings, and other essential washing machine parts.

3.   Refrigerator – Keep it Clean

A clean refrigerator is an efficient refrigerator. This includes cleaning the inside of the refrigerator on a routine basis, not overstocking the refrigerator, and cleaning the ever-important condenser coils twice a year.

4.   Oven – Remove Food Debris Often

Don’t let spills or grease build up on the inside of your oven. Get in there with a little elbow grease and keep the inside spic and span.

5.   Dyer – Clean the Dryer Vent After Each Load

Get in the habit of cleaning the dryer vent after every load. If you don’t, your dryer has to work harder to get clothes dry, causing it to give out more quickly.

If you ever run into an issue where you need appliance repair in Dallas, call the experts at Appliance Rescue Service! Expertise.com recently recognized us as one of the best appliance repairmen in Dallas!

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7 Things You Never Knew You Could Put in the Dishwasher

Sure, a dishwasher is traditionally used for washing dishes. But what if we told you it’s a great place to wash plenty of other household items too?! High heat, water, and suds do all the work to get your items sparking clean. Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas presents 7 things you never thought to put in the dishwasher:

·      Grill Grates:

You’ve scrubbed and scrubbed, and they just won’t get clean. Try putting them in the dishwasher on an overnight cycle (or any longer cycle) and high heat and see the grease melt away.

·      Shin guards and Mouth guards:

Place these on the top rack to prevent the plastic from warping.

·      Glass Light Covers:

Over time, dust builds up on light fixture covers. Why not throw them in the dishwasher for crystal clear results?

·      Shoes:

Plastic shoes – think rain boots or flip flops – are easy to clean in the dishwasher. Place them on the top rack to prevent issues. Also – don’t forget to remove any shoe liners before washing.

·      Plastic Hairbrushes:

If your brush or comb is plastic, then remove the hair form the bristles, and take it for a spin in the dishwasher. It will be clean and sanitized in no time!

·      Potatoes:

Rather than spending time scrubbing a big batch of potatoes, just put them all on the top rack – without soap – and rinse them all at one time.

·      Baseball caps:

While the washing machine can ruin a baseball cap, washing it in the dishwasher is a safe bet. Just be sure to buy a baseball cap keeper first and avoid washing it with actual dishes, as food particles can get stuck in the fabric.

And as with all things, before trying any of these dishwasher cleaning tips, be sure to check your dishwasher’s user manual.

Looking for more dishwasher tips? Appliance Rescue Service is happy to help! Our expertly trained staff can answer any questions you have about Dallas dishwasher repair, dishwasher maintenance, and more.

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Additional Reading

Dishwasher Deep Dive

3 Reasons Your Ice Maker May Be Under-Producing

It’s August in Texas and that means it’s hot! Chances are, you are going through a lot of ice in your home. But have you ever grabbed a glass of ice and thought your ice maker was underproducing?

Ice maker production varies based on the model of refrigerator you have, so check your owner’s manual for details on what the optimum production should be. If you still feel like your ice maker isn’t producing enough ice, then chances are the ice maker issue is related to one of 3 things: the freezer temperature, amount of water funneling into the ice maker, or the water value itself.

Freezer Temperature

The number one way to maximize ice production is to have the temperature in the freezer set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Using an appliance thermometer, check your freezer’s temperature and get it as close to 0 degrees as possible. If you are registering temperatures higher that 5 degrees, then it’s time to check the door seals, check for a faulty thermostat, or call Appliance Rescue for ice maker repair in Dallas.

Water Line

A clogged water line can certainly wreck havoc on your ice maker and cause it to underproduce. Turn off the water, disconnect your water line per owner’s manual instructions, place the line in a bucket of water, then turn the water back on. If the water flows freely through the line, then the water line is not the issue.

Water Valve

The water inlet valve can easily get clogged with frozen water or ice cubes, or may even malfunction due to an electrical shortage. If you suspect a water inlet valve malfunction, it’s best to call a professional to properly diagnose and troubleshoot the issue.

If you need ice maker repair in Dallas, call the experts at Appliance rescue Service. Our team strives to be the best appliance repair company in Dallas!

How to Deep Clean Your Dishwasher

You run your dishwasher every day (or nearly every day), so it should be sparkling clean, right?!

Wrong.

From talking with countless customers about their home appliance repairs, at Appliance Rescue, we have come to realize that this is a common misconception. In order to keep dishes spotless and extend the life of your dishwasher, deep clean your dishwasher with these simple tips:

Step 1: Clean the Filters

As a good rule of thumb, remove and clean your filters every time you re-add rinse aid. Remove the filter(s) and soak them for approx. 10 minutes in warm, soapy water. Scrub off any remaining particles of gunk that are stuck in the filter. Keeping the filters clean adds efficiency and longevity to your dishwasher.

Step 2: Run a Vinegar Cycle

Vinegar is one of the simplest and time-proven cleaning agents there is. With its acidic nature, vinegar can be used to clean nearly anything! Splash a cup of vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher before running a cycle to boost cleaning performance and cut through grit and grime stuck inside the washer.

Step 3: Run a Baking Soda Cycle

Now that you’ve cleaned with vinegar, pack a one-two punch with baking soda! Baking soda neutralizes odor. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your machine, let it sit overnight, then run another empty cycle.

Step 4: Scrub the Crevices

Grab a small cleaning brush – such as a toothbrush – and scrub any remaining debris, particularly in the crevices and in the door seal. The door seal is an easily forgotten part of the dishwasher where grime likes to hide. And don't forget to wipe down the control panel and handle on the exterior!

Follow these steps to a cleaner dishwasher, and remember, if you ever have dishwasher issues and need dishwasher repair in Dallas, the experts at Appliance Rescue Service are just a phone call away. We provide the best customer service in town, proudly serving Dallas, Plano, McKinney, Richardson, Irving, Forney, Las Colinas, and the surrounding Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Additional Reading

Dishwasher Deep Dive