16

Mar

Solved: Commercial Dishwasher Leaking Water

A leaking commercial dishwasher can make things difficult. Even though it will still work and clean dishes, there will be water everywhere to deal with. So, you must look for ways to fix this problem or consult a commercial appliances repair technician. Here are some ways you can detect the cause and fix a leaking commercial dishwasher.

Fixing A Leaking Commercial Dishwasher

Is The Dish Rack Present?

The dish rack may seem like a forgettable aspect of dishwashing, but it’s an important one. If the dish rack is not in its place or is absent, the unit may leak water because of drainage problems and others. So, keep the dishes on the dish rack and then place the dish rack on the dishwasher for cleaning without leaks.

Check The Door

Any issue with the door will lead to a leaking problem. Therefore, if there is a leak, you should check the door.

You should try to close the door and see if it closes properly. If it seems that it was properly closed, check its gaskets. Because even when the door feels closed, worn gaskets can allow water to leak from the dishwasher during the wash cycle.

Moreover, if the door is not closing, then you should adjust the door. You should check if anything is in the way of the door like the dish rack. If nothing is stopping the door from closing, you should consult an expert.

Keep in mind that, sometimes, a leaking issue is just a human error. Maybe someone didn’t close the door properly which led to a leak. So, instruct the staff members responsible for handling the dishwasher to make sure the door is closed before starting a wash cycle.

Clean The Wash Arm Of The Dishwasher

In some cases, the issue of leakage is due to a wash arm, also called a rinse arm, not rotating. Water might accumulate in one part of the unit and lead to a leak. The solution to this problem is to clean the wash arm because it usually stops rotating when food particles and dirt build up on it.

To clean the rinse arm, you have to remove it from the dishwasher first. For that, you can use pliers. Clean the spray arm with warm water and dishwasher soap or any other cleaner you use for cleaning the dishwasher. After cleaning, fix it back into its position. Run the machine to check if the problem is fixed or still there.

Replace The Spray Arm

The spray arm or wash arm is what sprays the water. It’s done with the small holes in the spray arm that spray liquid on the dishes. If the spray arm bursts, there may become a bigger opening for much more water to be released than required. This will cause the dishwasher to overflow with water and leak from any side of the unit.

To check the spray arm, you will need to remove it. Once removed, check the small holes. If some appear bigger or cracked, the spray arm is burst and must be replaced.

Many experts recommend that if you notice your commercial dishwasher leaking, you should replace the spray arm even if it appears fine. But we know. You would not want to replace the spray arm if it’s okay. So, the best course of action should be to have the unit inspected by a professional who can check everything and then carry out repairs or replacements.

Check And Clean The Filter

The filter placed at the bottom of the interior of the dishwasher is to stop anything other than water and liquids from draining. Over time, the filter becomes so clogged that even liquid can get through or does get through but at a very slow pace. When this happens, the unit overflows with water that starts leaking from some place like the sides of the dishwasher.

This is why you must clean the filter regularly to prevent this problem. Moreover, you should also clean the area where the filter is placed because it gathers a lot of gunk as well.

Inspect The Drain

If the drain where the water from the dishwasher goes is clogged, water won’t have anywhere to go so it might start leaking from weird places. So, check the drain and unclog it. There are various ways of unclogging a drain like using a plunger, pouring hot water, using store-bought solutions, and using a drain snake. However, if the drain doesn’t unclog, consult a plumber.

Check The Drain Pipe Of The Dishwasher

Water goes through the drain pipe to the drain so if there is any damage there, water will leak from the pipe. The drain pipe is not visible and to see it, you have to open the cover that’s usually at the lower side of the dishwasher. Do this after powering off the unit.

Once you remove the cover, check the drain pipe that must be connected to the roof of the compartment you’re seeing. If it’s not connected to that or appears damaged, then that’s the cause of the leak. Sometimes, the drain pipe or any other part is worn and must be replaced.

This must be fixed by a commercial dishwasher expert to make sure that the drain pipe is sealed properly. Keep in mind that, in some cases, the drain pipe may appear fine, but it may leak water due to a broken seal. This is why this must be inspected and repaired by a licensed professional.

Check The Float Switch

The float switch keeps the water levels in the dishwasher in check. If it becomes faulty, the water will rise above the required levels because the float switch won’t signal the control board to turn off the water inflow. Due to this, the dishwasher may leak water.

A faulty float switch or float assembly must be replaced. It’s the job of an appliance repair expert.

Replace The Dishwasher

This is not a fix for a leaking dishwasher. This only shows that the dishwasher is old enough to be replaced. Why?

Because dishwashers experience wear and tear over time. They are exposed to moisture so they develop rust and corrode slowly even though they are made of corrosion-resistant materials. If an internal part of the dishwasher corrodes, there may come a time when it will allow water to leak.

Corrosion leaks in commercial dishwashers are usually not repairable. However, you should still get an opinion from an expert. If not repairable, your only option would be to replace the unit. If you used your commercial dishwasher for 10-15 years, you did well and a replacement should not be a surprise.

Conclusion

Commercial dishwasher leakage is an annoying issue because your dishwasher may work, but it will leak water and create a mess. So, you must check the dish rack and the door first thing. Then, check other parts like the spray arm and the filter. Some leaks are due to a clogged filter or drain pipe, so clean your dishwasher regularly. This will also reduce limescale buildup that can corrode important components. Most importantly, if an issue arises, you should consult a commercial dishwasher repairs Springfield expert for advice and repairs.

05

Jun

How To Fix Your Commercial Dishwasher?

A commercial dishwasher is used continuously during busy hours for ensuring clean and sanitized dishes. If the appliance shows problems, it can affect the workflow of your commercial kitchen. Your best option is to call in a commercial dishwasher repairs expert to inspect the unit and perform repairs, however, you can try some fixes yourself. Let’s look into some commercial dishwasher problems and their fixes.

Fixing A Commercial Dishwasher

Leaking Commercial Dishwasher

Door Seals

The doors of dishwashers also have seals. This is common in many appliances to seal air and moisture. In commercial dishwashers, a seal is to prevent water from escaping the unit. With usage, these rubber gaskets or seals become hard. When they do, they can’t keep water inside the appliance. In turn, water leaks out of the dishwasher during wash cycles.

So, inspect the seals of the dishwasher. If they are not soft or are damaged, consider a replacement. They should be replaced by a professional.

Water Inlet Valve

This is the valve that supplies water to your commercial dishwasher. Any problems with it will obviously lead to water leakage. You will notice a pooling of water near the appliance. So, check that the valve is fit and not loose. Then, look for cracks or damages on the external housing. Then move to the connecting hoses. They should be secured well. If the issue is anything other than a loosely fitted valve, consider a replacement of the inlet valve.

O’Rings

These are seals applied to the joints to make them watertight and airtight. Rubber and silicone O-rings are common. Both of these types deteriorate with time. The elasticity diminishes and the seals no longer remain effective.

They are used in various parts of a commercial dishwasher like the tap fittings, float valves, drains pump, rinse pump, and others.

You will need to check these components of the dishwasher to determine which O’rings are broken so you can replace them. This should be done by a professional.

The Commercial Dishwasher Not Draining

Drain Pump

If your commercial dishwasher is not draining water, the first part to check is the drain pump because it drains water from the appliance. Look for blockages in the pump. Moreover, check the pump for collapsed bearings. A sign of collapsed bearings is a noisy dishwasher. Lastly, the drain pump itself may be faulty.

After checking the above things, you should know that other components also impact the functioning of the drain pump. A control board failure won’t signal the drain pump to drain water, so check the control board, select switch, timer switch, and inlet valve as well.

Drain Impeller

Impellers in a commercial dishwasher create a sucking force for spraying water or other solutions on the dishes or draining the water. A spray impeller sprays water while a drain impeller drains water. If your commercial dishwasher is not draining water, check the drain impeller.

A drain impeller wears with age and can be damaged if any object comes in contact with it. A professional can determine if the drain impeller is fine or needs to be replaced.

Rinse Pump

If you checked the drain pump and it was fine or it was clogged or faulty and you replaced it, but your commercial dishwasher is still not draining, check the rinse pump. It can also wear over time and fail.

So, look for signs that indicate you need to replace the rinse pump. The first is that your dishwasher won’t drain properly. The second sign to look for is noises coming out of the pump during the end of a wash cycle.

The Commercial Dishwasher Is Not Filling

Water Inlet Valve

A water inlet valve has a filter that removes various kinds of particles from water. Once it becomes clogged with particles, the dishwasher will take more time for filling or won’t fill. This filter is easy to access so check the filter and clean it.

Float Switch

Typically, it should move freely. However, if it sustains damage due to age or any foreign objects, it can stop the water from flowing. So, the dishwasher won’t fill.

Timer Control

It controls various components of your dishwasher. Whether your commercial dishwasher is not draining or stops filling, it won’t start or is showing other issues, don’t forget to check the time control and make sure it’s functioning properly. Hire an expert who can replace it.

The Commercial Dishwasher Won’t Start

Power Check

Check if your appliance is plugged in. You should also check the circuit breaker if it’s not tripped. These actions should ensure that your control panel receives power.

If your control panel has power and the dishwasher is still not starting, you should check the doors.

The Doors

The doors of a commercial dishwasher have relays that signal the machine to start. If the door is not closed, the dishwasher won’t start. This is why the dishwasher starts functioning when you close the door.

However, if you shut the door properly and the dishwasher is not starting, the relays connected to the door may be malfunctioning. They are not signaling the control board that the door is shut and begin the operation. So, replace the relays.

Motor Relay And The Motor

The motor relay is responsible for turning the drive motor on and off. So, any malfunction with this relay will result in the drive motor not turning on. Therefore, the dishwasher won’t start.

However, if all the relays are functional, then the drive motor itself can be faulty. This should be checked by a skilled dishwasher expert.

Wet Dishes

Overloading Or Poor Stacking Of The Dishwasher

Dishes are dried by the circulation of air. An overloaded dishwasher will have dishes stacked too near that won’t have enough space for air circulation. So, they will come out wet after the wash cycle. Moreover, improper stacking of the washer will also give similar results.

Thermostat

The thermostat in a commercial dishwasher regulates the temperature of the water that is used for rinsing the dishes. It tells the heating element how much to heat and when to turn it off. If the thermostat is faulty, the water will either not heat or overheat.

Heating Element

Heating elements heat the water to the temperature you set using the control panel. These instructions are sent to the thermostat and it signals the heating element to heat the water and reach the right temperature.

If your thermostat is fine, then the heating elements could be malfunctioning. The heating element should be checked by a professional to know if it’s faulty.

However, there is a sign that can show you when to give attention to the heating element as well along with the thermostat.

If your commercial dishwasher overheats water, it can be a thermostat issue because the heating elements are still heating the water. But if the water isn’t heated at all, it can be either the thermostat or the heating element. So, check the heating element only when the water is not heating at all.

Conclusion

A commercial dishwasher can run into many kinds of problems, so you and your team should know some tips to fix the unit. But if the cause of the issue can’t be determined or you want to fix the appliance quickly, call in a commercial appliances repair Alexandria technician.