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. 

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!

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.

Additional Reading

Dishwasher Deep Dive

Appliance Rescue Service Named One of the Best Appliance Repairmen in Dallas!

Expertise.com has just released their list of the Top 16 Dallas Appliance Repairmen for 2016, and Appliance Rescue Service is proud to be on that list!

 

Expertise.com is a leader in, as they say, “connecting people with the experts in their community.” Why spend hours researching the best appliance repairman, roofer, painter, photographer, etc. when you can use a vetted resource like Expertise to do the work for you?!

Expertise started with a list of 266 home appliance repair companies in Dallas and was quickly able to narrow their field to the top 112. From there, they used the following in-depth analysis of each of the 112 companies to determine their final 16:

·      Reputation: Are the customers satisfied with the work done? Would they recommend them to others? Are there signs of outstanding customer service?

·      Credibility: Is this company staying ahead of the industry in terms of awards, accolades, accreditations, and licensing?

·      Experience: Is there a track record of success, with years of experience under their belt?

·      Availability: How is the customer response rate? Are they consistently exceeding expectations in their responsiveness?

·      Professionalism: Can we count on this business to provide a professional experience to its customers, both online and off?

·      Engagement? Do they use multiple platforms to communicate and provide customer service to customers?

After each company was measured against these 6 criteria, Expertise narrowed it down to it’s final 16, the 2016 Best Home Appliance Companies in Dallas.

 

Appliance Rescue Service is proud to be among the elite repairmen in Dallas and thanks each of our loyal customers for your support and feedback over the years!

Our goal is to provide the best customer service in town, along with the best appliance repairs in town. Give us a call today if you need washing machine, dryer, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, or any major appliance repair.

Is your Whirlpool or Kenmore Washing Machine Eligible for a Rebate?

Earlier this summer, Whirlpool Inc. and Sears settled several class action lawsuits requiring them to payout for various models of front-loading washing machines manufactured 2001 – 2010. Consumers began to complain about a moldy, mildew smell that came from the washing machines, and eventually, several lawsuits were made against manufacturers regarding these issues. The full list of included washing machines can be found here, sold under brand names Whirlpool, Maytag, and Kenmore.

 

What do I do if my model was affected?

If your Whirlpool, Kenmore, or Maytag front loader washing machine was a part of the recall, you simply need to visit washersettlement.com, print the necessary paperwork, and then mail it in no later than October 11, 2016. And good news – even if you no longer have your receipt, you can still claim the rebate with the model and serial number in hand.

 

What can I expect from my rebate?

Depending on your issue, the claim can vary. Here are some examples of what’s being offered:

·      Owners with issues are entitled to $50 rebate or 20% off a new washer or dryer purchase.

·      No problems but front loader is on the list? 5% rebate on a brand new washer, dryer, or laundry set.

·      Paid for front-loading washing machine repairs? The suit is refunding up to $500 in expenses from appliance repair companies or replacement washing machines. Note: you will need to have proof of expenses incurred.

 

You have about 2 months left to claim your rebate! And if you are still having issues with these and any other front loader washing machines, give Appliance Rescue in Dallas, Texas a call today!  We service all brands of washing machines including Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, LG, Samsung, and more. We pride ourselves on having the best customer service in Dallas; let us show you the Appliance Rescue difference!