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DISHWASHER REPAIR SERVICES

Dishwasher Repair

Professional appliance service in Chicago Metro & Rockford

Dishwashers are vital kitchen appliances designed to alleviate the burden of hand-washing dishes. A dishwasher is designed to wash, rinse, and sanitize dirty dishes, glasses, utensils, and cookware. It automates the dishwashing process, conserves water and energy, and ensures your dishes emerge clean and ready to use. They come in various types to cater to different kitchen layouts and preferences. Let's "paws" for a moment to explore the different types of dishwashers and dish drawers.

Built-In Dishwasher

Built-in dishwashers are the most common type, permanently installed under your kitchen countertop. They seamlessly integrate with your kitchen cabinetry, maintaining a sleek appearance.

Drawer Dishwasher

Drawer dishwashers offer the convenience of separate, vertically-stacked drawers that can be operated independently. This design allows for smaller loads and increased energy efficiency.

Compact Dishwasher

Compact dishwashers, while smaller than standard built-in models, deliver comparable functionality. They are ideal for kitchens with limited space while ensuring efficient dishwashing.

Panel-Ready Dishwasher

Panel-ready dishwashers are built-in models that allow you to attach a custom front panel, matching your kitchen decor and creating a harmonious look.

Dishwasher Repair

As a trusted appliance repair company, AAA Appliance understands the significance of a well-functioning dishwasher in your daily life. If your dishwasher or dish drawer encounters any issues or requires repair, our appliance pros are here to help!  We specialize in diagnosing and fixing a wide range of dishwasher problems, ensuring your kitchen remains efficient and hassle-free.

7 Indicators Your Dishwasher Requires Professional Appliance Repair

  1. The dishwasher is making loud noises
  2. The dishwasher is not draining.
  3. The dishwasher is leaking.
  4. The dishwasher door is not latching or locking.
  5. When the cycle is done, the dishes are not clean.
  6. The detergent door is not opening. or the detergent is not dissolved.
  7. Dishes are not dry at the end of the cycle.

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that a whopping 96% of people spend an entire hour each week pre-washing their dishes before loading them into the dishwasher? Surprisingly, all that pre-washing can lead to wasteful consumption of nearly 20 gallons of water per cycle.

Here's a "dishing" tip: Instead of the extra work, simply scrape off any leftover food debris from your dishes before loading them into your dishwasher. This not only conserves water but also allows your dishwasher detergent to work more effectively. When your detergent has something to grab onto, it can clean your dishes more thoroughly. Avoid the urge to "over-clean" your dishes before they go in, as this can weaken them and make them more susceptible to damage.

So, remember, just scrape, don't scrub! And if you ever need expert dishwasher repair services, don't hesitate to contact AAA Appliance Service Center today!

Common Dishwasher Issues

Clogs

A common cause for your dishwasher to fail is when food, paper, plastic and other scraps build up to create clogs.  These problems will prevent your appliance from draining properly and can lead to more serious plumbing issues.  And nobody wants to deal with that!

You also want to make sure to remove any jar labels or popcorn kernels before putting them in the dishwasher as they will stick to the filter and prevent draining.

Cloudy Dishes

As of July 1st, 2010 detergent manufacturers had to remove phosphates from their soap. Phosphates helped to clean the dishes and they also neutralized minerals in the water to keep this white film from appearing. These are some ideas for you to get your dishes to come out clean!

Clean all of the soap residues out of the dishwasher. If you have a stainless steel interior, we have a cleaner that our technicians can use or you can use when it is time. This needs to be done because all of the soap and soap deposits need to be removed from the dishwasher. Please note that mixing different brands of phosphate-free soaps can make the problem much worse.

We recommend that you first reduce your soap use or change your product. The brand that we recommend (as well as Bosch, Whirlpool & Maytag) is Finish. Finish® has replaced phosphates with enzymes and it works very well. With our service, our technicians provide free samples for your use. Please consult your manual if you own an ASKO or MIELE dishwasher. They may recommend a particular powder detergent that will work best with their cycles.

This sounds crazy, but it's true! Do not rinse your dishes before putting them in your dishwasher. Dishes need to be scraped off, but the residues need to be left on the dishes for the soap to work properly. The detergent enzymes need something to wash and if you clean the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher on a regular basis, the dishwasher and soap won't work as well.

Won't Drain

It is important to resolve this issue immediately or before you use it again or it will overflow. The most common reason for a dishwasher not draining is caused by a clog in one of the drain lines if not a dirty air gap or strainer. Another simple error could cause this issue – an open latch. Check that the door and latch are properly closed to seal the system or it won't drain.

Making Loud Noises

Issues could be related to the heater fan, motor, water-inlet valve, or a pump. The grinding on rusting or worn bearings or a fan blade may have become loose. Sometimes it's the motor that makes the noise you hear. Worn bearings can allow a wobbling which can be very loud. Sometimes, this will cause a leak from inside the motor. If the bearings are rusty to worn, the entire motor and housing will need to be replaced on most models.

Modern dishwashers may make a squealing or rattling noise when it has not had any water in it yet. These noises can reappear if the unit hasn't been run in a week or more because the system is dry. Rattling noises are often caused by the dishes inside. To verify, run the dishwasher empty, and if the sound continues the pump may have debris. Commonly, small objects get stuck in the pump. To clean out, the pump needs to be opened or replaced. If the sounds stop when empty, the sounds may be caused by the sprayer arms hitting something as they move. To prevent this, rearrange the dishes and continue the wash cycle.

Leaking

An issue with the dishwasher door seal can cause a leak. The seal between the door and the opening in the front of the unit is verified with the latch connection. The latch could be a press button or just the sound of a click. When the seal is worn, a leak can be created as the machine sprays water on the dishes. It is normal that over time, the chemicals in the detergent along with the heat of the water inside can break down a seal.

Any plumbing connections like valves or seals connected to the dishwasher could be faulty which could lead to a slow leak from the connection.

A simple solution or cause comes down to one thing: Soap. Using too much dishwasher detergent actually is one of the leading causes of leaks. If a leak is detected around the door, open the dishwasher and check to see how much foam is inside. Any more than a half-inch deep layer of foam at the bottom of the machine is too much soap. Sometimes, even the wrong kind of detergent could cause a leak. Never use dish-washing soap for use in a sink!

Your Bear-y Important Questions

How much does it cost to fix a dishwasher near Chicago?

It costs around $100-$600 to fix a dishwasher in Chicago, IL. However, the cost can vary due to: 

  • The type of dishwasher you have. 
  • How old your dishwasher is. 
  • The type of repair that is required. 

Another thing that can affect the overall price of the repair is whether or not your dishwasher requires replacement parts for the repair. To learn more about getting your dishwasher repaired, contact us today.

Is it worth fixing a dishwasher?

It can be worthwhile to fix a dishwasher if it is less than 5 years old and has not required many repairs in the past. However, if your dishwasher continuously breaks down and needs frequent repairs, you may want to consider having your dishwasher replaced. Another factor you should consider is if the cost to repair your dishwasher outweighs the cost to replace it. If it costs more than half the price to repair your dishwasher, it is more cost effective to have your dishwasher replaced. To get your dishwasher repaired or replaced, call us today.

Why has my dishwasher stopped working?

Your dishwasher may have stopped working because: 

  • The circuit to your dishwasher has tripped. 
  • Your dishwasher’s door latch is broken.
  • Your dishwasher’s control panel is malfunctioning. 

If you troubleshoot each of these issues and your dishwasher is still not working, there may be a deeper issue with your dishwasher that requires the expertise of a technician to repair it. To get your dishwasher repaired, give us a call today.

Where can I find the model or serial number on my dishwasher?

The model number will almost always be printed on a paper label or a metal plate. Your model number might appear in a variety of places depending on the make and model. Here are the five most likely locations where it may be found:

  • Behind the control panel.
  • Located on the door frame.
  • On the tub's inner wall.
  • Inside the unit's edge.
  • On the unit's frame.
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