Plumber forgot to turn back the dishwasher water supply valve and I ran it twice with no water

[Anonymous]

The title says it all! He came, tried all the valves, rescheduled and left. I ran the dishwasher for 2 nights without noticing anything (we always turn it on immediately before going to bed and hear nothing, a big mistake in this case). Day 3, dishes looked a bit dirty, so I turned the dishwasher on again (during the day) and noticed right away that it was making a different kind of noise, and I could not hear the usual water-related noises like draining. After investigating, we discovered that the water valve on the water supply line was shut off. So, for 2 nights the dishwasher was turned on with no water in it. The plumber forgot to turn the valve back on! To those who say, why I did not notice it the day before that the dishes were dirty, I say that we rinse them super well before loading. The question is, will my dishwasher break soon after this, or will it be OK? It seems to work but it started making a new funny noise. The company would not acknowledge and cancelled the subsequent visit.

[Anonymous]

Nobody really knows but my guess is it should be okay, especially if it was on a timed cycle.

Some machines can wear themselves out if they have sensors that keep a function going continuously for too long. However, clothes washing machines have a limit switch that cuts off the motor if it gets stalled. I would expect dishwashers might have that. I don't think anything in a dry cycle would ruin the sensor.

[Anonymous]

PP. Try figuring out where the funny noise is and Google to try to find the cause.

Clean the filter if you haven't.

Maybe pour an extra pitcher or two of water into the bottom of the machine then run a short cycle with cool dry. If something got baked on where it shouldn't, that might help.

[Anonymous]

I would not add extra water. might flood floor when it runs. Just check under it for water leakage. that's most important

[Anonymous]

PP again. What was the plumber doing at your house?

If replacing a connected garbage disposal, there is a knockout hole that needs to be open. My dad (PhD who doesn't read instructions) forgot to do that when he replaced my disposal. You can read about this in the installation instructions with the model you installed. If it's not done right, the dishwasher may leak onto your floor.

It might also be possible that a drain hose is not draining because it was jostled/set up wrong. Or your pump is not pumping well because it's about to break.

Do not run the dishwasher while you are sleeping or away from the house until you have resolved the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not add extra water. might flood floor when it runs. Just check under it for water leakage. that's most important

PP talking to above PP. You are correct, there is a risk of leaks. If immediately mopped up, two pitchers worth shouldn't be a big deal.

You are right though, PP should remove the dishwasher's bottom skirt trim and look under for leaks. And the dishwasher will have a limit to how much water it can hold in the tub. The reason I suggested adding water is that I understand today's dishwashers are extremely low water. So noises could come from something undissolved or not flushed away.

I was able to fix spray arm blockage in my dishwasher by removing it and soaking out the crumbs of labels that had gotten stuck like paper mache in the holes.

You do what you can that's reversible, after looking at the owner's manual. Take pictures with cell phone along the way for reference.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much. The plumber came to replace a kitchen faucet and had trouble shutting off the hot water valve, and in the process turned off all the other valves and then forgot to turn that dishwasher one back. He was not able to accomplish his task, and now they cancelled on me after I complained about the dishwasher. I am now so scared that it would leak that I am only going to run it during the day, thanks for the tip. Is this a common error on a licensed plumber's part? I mean, we are all human, but don't they have a kind of mental check list to go over before leaving the house? so they do not mess up people's appliances? Reputable local company, do not want to name names.

[Anonymous]

Where even is the dishwasher valve? This seems like something I should know but don’t.

[Anonymous]

Should be fine just turn it on and run a load. You are overthinking it.

[Anonymous]

Use it normally and find out.

I still don't get why people think dishwashers are all the rage. They increase workload unless you have a 30 person family, and are constant maintenance and trouble, plus a flooding hazard.

Takes 2 to 3 min to wash dishes for 5 people. Another 2 to 3 to dry and put away. Soooo much work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where even is the dishwasher valve? This seems like something I should know but don’t.

Under you sink it should be connected to you hot water supply that is usually split with the kitchen sink faucet

[Anonymous]

A PP.

Here is a thread with the beginnings of a diagnostic routine.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Appliances/comments/1faffp3/dishwasher_not_getting_water/

Comment by Shadrixian:

"Alright. Lets start from the very beginning. Lets look at what all we have. A sink, a dishwasher. Do we have a garbage disposal? Keep that mind mind, yes or no, and lets move on.

Start a cycle. Let it sit for a minute, then open the door and shut it. Now hold the start button until it cancels. Does the pump run?

Next, start the cycle, but get down close to the bottom left. If the valve is running with no water to it, it will buzz. If there is water, youll hear muffled trickling, kind of like a hissing or spitting sound. That means water is getting into the machine. If it doesn't, it could be as simple as a chewed up wire.

Now, assuming that it filled, if you pull the spray arm off and take the filter out, there should be water in the sump. Is there any?

Now lets experiment. Get a pitcher. Fill it with water, and pour it in. You want just enoigh to sort of cover the bottom, but not enough to trip overflow. See if it washes.

Next, cancel. Drain it. Does the pump run? Can you hear the sink drain gurgle? Lets look under the sink. Does the drain hose have an upward loop before it connects?

And remember the garbage disposal question? If water didnt drain, and you have a disposal, take the hose off, stick your finger in the hole(it wont eat you unless the switch is flipped). Youre feeling for a cap or plate, thats a knockout and is meant to be removed before hooking dishwashers up.

Let me know what you come up with, and I'll know where to lead you next."

[Anonymous]

PP again...

Yes, qualified repairpeople break other things when they show up. Or don't do the job you expected.

I lost a car once over a sloppy radiator repair. Long story but the garage owner was a friend of my in-laws and the car died too far away to have it towed and fixed. So we sucked it up and bought a new car.

You might need to have your husband "call the manager". Sometimes guy to guy works better. Or if you are the guy, definitely escalate if you've been talking to the receptionist or leaving messages for the plumber who visited.

It will probably be $100-ish just to have an appliance repair service out to look at the dishwasher. The plumber won't repair the dishwasher but there's a chance they might pay for a repair. So try to get them to say sorry/acknowledge fault before you get a repair estimate and/or repair.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, a think I will call Sears just to make sure. It is weird that my latest repair people cause me to have more repair people. "Guy to guy talk" thing makes me mad if it truly exists.

[Anonymous]

Sears. Oof. They're pretty legendary for shoddy repair service.