Regular maintenance is important to keep your machine working and your dishwasher smelling fresh. People often think a dishwasher wouldn’t need to be cleaned or maintained because it’s a cleaning machine! But, build up from food particles or hard water sediment could become an issue.
Run the hot water in the sink before turning on your dishwasher. Get it as hot as it can, the dishwasher water needs to be at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit for it to blast off all the little pieces of food left on your plates. Warming up the water ahead of time will also reduce your water usage.
Hard water is a common problem in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. If you have hard water, your glasses will have a white film or white spots on them. Try using the maximum amount of detergent and a dishwasher spot remover solution to remedy this. If this doesn’t work, you may need a water softener.
Another issue with hard water is the clogging of the air gap. An air gap fixture provides back-flow prevention for your dishwasher. It’s located above the sink as a small fixture next to the faucet. Air gaps are required in the state of New Mexico. However, due to the material in the piping, they can be susceptible to clogs due to hard water build-up. All those minerals and sediment in hard water will solidify. This is another reason to have a water softener installed. Call Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling today to talk about having a water softener installed.
Sometimes the issues with dishwashers that will affect your overall plumbing come down to just faulty parts like clogged valves or spray arms. These are a couple of easy do it yourself repairs, but Affordable Service is available if you have any questions. On a routine basis, check water hoses and valves for leaks. Inside your dishwasher, clean the traps and filter to remove any debris every other week. If there is water left over after you’ve washed a load of dishes, this could be a problem. This leftover water is unsanitary.
Lastly, you’ll want to keep your garbage disposal in working order. Your garbage disposal works in tandem with your dishwasher, so all the plumbing is connected therein. Never put any grease or oil down your garbage disposal, when it solidifies it can cause backups. Use cold water when grinding foods to solidify and chop up any grease or oils. Do not put corn husks, coffee grounds or potato peels down your disposal. And never put your hand down the disposal to remove food or other objects. Always unplug it first or use tools like pliers if something is stuck in the drain.
If you find yourself in need of a garbage disposal or water softener, you can always call the experts at Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling. We’d be happy to provide you with an estimate or speak to you over the phone. We service Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and the surrounding areas.
