You might need to call a repairman, but try these three simple tests first.

Poor-draining dishwasher

First, check the drain-hose connection, drain-hose clamp, solenoid and

power supply. If that doesn't yield results, check the three things listed below.

Check the filter in the dishwasher's tub

You'll find the filter either in the bottom of the tub, surrounding the base of the lower spray arm, or at the back.

Check the drain hose

Disconnect the drain hose (usually it's the one with ridges) from the pump and try to blow through the hose to make sure it's clear.

Test the drain valve

If you have a valve bracket, your dishwasher has a drain valve. To test the valve, push on the valve bracket to make sure it moves freely.

Repair kit. Color-matched vinyl repair paint and replacement rack tips are sold at appliance parts stores or online.

Photo 1: Clean the rack Load a wire brush into a rotary tool and zip off the old rust and vinyl. Keep brushing until you get to fresh metal. Then paint on a new coating. tips are sold at appliance parts stores or online.

Photo 2: Apply paint and new tips Coat the freshly cut tip with vinyl paint. Then slip a new vinyl tip over the tine. Let it dry and you’re good to go.

A rusty dishwasher rack can leave rust streaks on dishes. Instead of buying an overpriced replacement rack, recoat and cover the rusty spots yourself in less than an hour.

Dishwasher rack tines break off or lose the protective coating at the tips and then you get rust spots on your dishes. New racks cost about $80 (and up). But you can fix yours in less than an hour and for a fraction of that cost. Buy a bottle of vinyl repair paint and a package of replacement tips to match your rack color (from any appliance parts store or find-a-fix.com). Cut off the rusted tips with a rotary tool and cutoff wheel. Then retip the tines (Photo 2).

To patch a rusted area around a broken tine, first clean off the rust (Photo 1).

Problem 1: Your dishwasher don't come out clean

A. Review the basics (5 minutes)

• Are you overloading your dishwasher? Check the manufacturer's instructions to make sure you're loading it right.
• Does silverware drop below the lower basket? The spray arm can't spin if obstructed.
• Are you using the proper dishwasher detergent?
• Do you routinely scrape food bits off dishes before loading them into the racks? (Rinsing is not necessary.)
• Are you using a special rinsing agent if your water is hard (highly mineralized)? Hard water can leave a film on the dishes.

Tip: Adding a water softening system can dramatically improve dishwasher performance.

• Is the water temperature high enough? This can be a complex issue.

We recommend that your household water heater be set no higher than 120 degrees F, both to help prevent accidental scalding and to maintain energy efficiency. Many dishwashers have heating elements that boost the temperature to about 140 degrees. However, some dishwashers don't have a heating booster and require household water at about 140 degrees. So first check the owner's manual for the recommended water heater setting.

If your dishwasher requires140-degree water, check the temperature of your hot water at its current setting. Put a meat thermometer in a glass and fill it at the kitchen faucet with water at its hottest point. If the temperature reads less than 140 degrees, you'll have to either risk raising the water heater setting (we don't recommend it) or consider buying a different dishwasher. But check the maintenance steps below first to make sure poor cleaning isn't caused by other factors. In any case, consult a service pro before making a buying decision.

B. Clean the spray arm (10 minutes)
Twirl the spray arm to make sure it spins freely. Also check the holes in the spray arm for debris. If you spot debris or the spray arm doesn't spin, remove the spray arm and clean it (Photos 1 – 3).

First take out the wire baskets by removing either a cap or pin at the end of the sliding tracks. Don't fret about a little water on the bottom of the tub. It's supposed to be there. It keeps the seals in the pump and in the motor assembly damp. If they dry out, they'll crack and leak.

The spray arm cap twists off with a clockwise turn, just the opposite of a regular screw (Photo 1). Twist ties, rubber bands and plastic and paper often show up in the spray arm. You might have to use a needle-nose pliers to pick them out. The pump usually sucks up most of this stuff, but if you hear a sudden loud grinding sound while running the dishwasher, something like broken glass might be stuck in the pump intake. Unscrew and remove the pump cover (Photo 2) to check it out.

C. Clean the float switch (5 minutes)
The float switch may not be a problem, but it takes only a few minutes to check it, so open it up and clean it anyway (Photos 4 and 5). Debris can cause the float to stick in the raised position, which prevents the tub from filling. If the water doesn't reach the right level (just covering the heating element), the dishwasher won't clean well. See the next section for how to check the water level.

On most models, you'll find the float switch in the lower front of the tub (Fig. A and Photo 4). Ours has a cover, but some don't. You may have to use a small, flexible brush or pipe cleaner to clean those without a removable cover. When clean, the float should slide up and down freely.

D. Clean the valve screen (30 minutes)
One common symptom of a clogged intake valve screen is a low water level during the dishwashing cycle. (Low water could also indicate a clogged float switch, but you've already taken a few minutes to check it.) So before going through the somewhat more complex steps for cleaning the intake valve screen, check the water level.

Close the door, turn on the machine and run it until it's done filling during its second cycle. Then open the door (the machine will automatically shut off), and check the water level. If the water doesn't come up to the heating element, it's too low. Close the door and let the machine cycle on through. Then proceed to clean the intake valve screen (Photos 6 – 9).

You'll have to unhook several wires, so always begin by turning off the electrical power to the dishwasher at your main panel. Turn off the water supply to the dishwasher as well. Usually the shutoff is at the hot water supply line under a nearby sink. The inlet valve is usually mounted on the underside of the dishwasher near the front.

You have to remove the lower panels (Photo 6) and disconnect the valve (Photos 7 and 8) to get at the valve.

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