Dirty Dishwashers Demand Repairs

Your dishwasher handles grease, food debris, soap residue, and hard water every day. Without regular maintenance, buildup inside the machine can cause poor cleaning, drainage issues, leaks, error codes, and even complete failure. Most dishwasher breakdowns don’t happen suddenly — they build up over time.

Key Parts That Need Regular Cleaning

Turbidity Sensor
This sensor measures how dirty the water is to control cycle length. Grease or soap film can cause short cycles, over-washing, or poor results.

Filter
A clogged filter is one of the most common reasons dishwashers stop draining. It can lead to standing water, dirty dishes, and drain pump failure.

Flood Sensor or Pressure Switch
These components monitor water levels. Buildup or excess suds can trigger false leak errors, prevent the dishwasher from starting, or cause wash issues.

Bonus Tip* Some dishwashers have a water level sensor that raises with the water in the tub. Sometimes debris can get wedged under this sensor tricking the dishwasher into thinking its flooding.

Seals and Gaskets
Dirty or neglected door seals can leak, grow mold, and trigger flood protection systems.

Heating Element
Mineral buildup reduces heating efficiency, leading to wet dishes, cloudy glassware, and possible error codes.

Soap Dispenser
Residue or clumped detergent can prevent the dispenser from opening, leaving dishes dirty even after a full cycle.

Why Maintenance Matters

Routine cleaning keeps sensors accurate, water flowing properly, and components working as designed. A monthly dishwasher cleaner, proper detergent use, and quick filter checks can prevent many of the service calls we see.