Deep Clean Your Dishwasher

One of the best modern appliances in your kitchen is also a danger to your North Charleston home. When a dishwasher malfunctions, you could have up to six gallons of hot soapy water flooding your floors, cabinets and walls. Keep your machine clean and well maintained to help avoid thousands of dollars of damage.

The most common leak is due to clogged kitchen sink drain pipes. Worn gaskets, a broken door, using the wrong soap or loading it poorly can also cause problems. Cleaning maintenance can help keep your dishwasher from leaking.  So, like the other appliances in your home, check your dishwasher periodically. Start with rubber seals, check for rust, and unclog nozzles that may cause flooding from your dishwasher.

Always replace with the proper hardware. When you first get your dishwasher, the hoses and seals you receive are the right size and material for your particular model and brand. If you must replace the hoses, ensure that you are purchasing the proper size and material type. Stainless steel braided hoses are great; they fit in tight spaces without kinking.

Dishwashers typically have two different water lines, one that heads to the kitchen sink faucet, and one that leads to the disposal or drain. Observe any drips or signs of water damage under the sink where the lines enter and exit the system. If you notice a problem with the water lines, call a professional company like Clean Masters immediately.  

Get it Clean, Then Keep it Clean

You don’t need sophisticated equipment to clean your dishwasher: some toothpicks, vinegar, baking soda, old toothbrush. Also grab a sponge and some hot, soapy water to wipe down the exterior of your machine when you’re done freshening up the inside.

Clean the Spray Arms The sprayer arm might be getting hung up on a dish that has dropped below the rack, or the holes in the arm itself might be clogged with food particles. Use your toothpicks to unclog the holes in the sprayer arms. You can remove the dish racks and the sprayer arms themselves to make this easier.

To keep your dishwasher smelling fresh, check the spray arms for gunk about once a week, and unclog the holes in them as needed.

Clean the Filter A clogged dishwasher filter could prevent your dishwasher from draining completely, potentially causing thousands of dollars of damage. Pull out the filter and scrub it with your old toothbrush. If you’ve been having draining problems, inspect the drain for clogs. 

Refresh The System Once a month, descale and disinfect it. Put a cup of vinegar on the top rack of your empty dishwasher, a cup of baking soda on the bottom, then run through a hot water cycle. Run the dishwasher again through a short, hot water cycle. This will remove any lingering odors and stains from inside your dishwasher.

Water Damage Restoration in North Charleston

If your dishwasher fails and causes water damage, call CleanMasters for help. They will use infrared thermal imaging and will perform a thorough extraction to remove all standing water. They also work closely with your insurance company in order to make the water removal process as painless as possible for you.

Clean Master’s services range from daily equipment rental to emergency water damage and full content drying. For water damage restoration in North Charleston, contact Clean Masters today.