Clean the Filter Monthly
Most modern dishwashers have a removable filter in the floor of the tub, usually a cylinder you twist out. A clogged filter is the number one reason a dishwasher stops cleaning properly, and most homeowners have never touched it.
Twist it out, rinse it under the tap, scrub gently with a brush, and put it back. Two minutes, once a month.
If your dishes have grit on them after a cycle, check the filter before you call anybody. It resolves a large share of the calls we get for poor cleaning.
Spray Arm Jets and Hard Water
Loudoun County water leaves scale in the spray arm jets, which narrows them and drops water pressure where it matters. Pull the arms off, hold them up to the light, and clear blocked holes with a toothpick or a thin wire.
Scale also collects on the heating element, which is why hard-water dishwashers stop drying well before they stop washing. A descaling cycle with citric acid a few times a year helps considerably in Ashburn, Leesburg and Sterling.
Drain Problems Are Often Not the Dishwasher
A dishwasher usually drains through the garbage disposal or a shared sink drain line. Two things catch people out.
- A new disposal installed without the knockout plug removed blocks the dishwasher drain entirely.
- A partially clogged shared drain line backs water into the dishwasher, which looks like a dishwasher fault.
We check the air gap, the disposal connection and the drain line before condemning a drain pump. See also the garbage disposal care guide.
Warning Signs Worth a Call
- Standing water in the bottom after every cycle.
- Leaking from one front corner, which usually means door alignment rather than the seal.
- The door not latching or dropping open.
- No water entering at the start of a cycle.
- Burning or hot plastic smell.
Our dishwasher repair technicians cover all three counties with same-day appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the dishwasher filter?
In the floor of the tub, usually under the lower spray arm. Most are a cylinder that twists out by hand.
Why are my dishes still dirty?
A clogged filter or blocked spray arm jets, in that order. Both are cleanable without any parts.
Why is there water in the bottom of my dishwasher?
Either the filter and sump are clogged, the drain pump has failed, or the shared drain line or disposal connection is blocked. The last one is more common than people expect.