How to Repair a Dishwasher Spray Arm
If you have noticed a decrease in performance in your dishwasher recently, it may be due in part to the sprayer arm. Most dishwashers have two sprayer arms, located under the bottom rack and under the top rack. Water is pumped through the holes in these components, helping to spread water and detergent around the interior. At Comfort Appliance Repair, when we get a call about reduced performance, the sprayer arms tend to be one of the first things we check.
Over time, bits of food and other debris can get stuck in the holes of these sprayer arms, preventing water from getting distributed. While cleaning and repairing these components is often best left to the professionals, there are some steps the average homeowner can take to inspect and attempt to repair their sprayer arm. Read on for more information, and do not hesitate to contact Comfort Appliance if you need dishwasher repair in Covington, Atlanta or a nearby town.
Safety Precautions
When attempting any kind of dishwasher repair or other appliance repair, it is important to take appropriate safety precautions to reduce the risk of injury or property damage. For starters, turn off the water supply to the dishwasher. Each sprayer arm is attached to a water supply unit on the appliance, so turning off the water is your best bet against a surprise spray or leak during your repair.
It is also a good idea to kill power to the appliance before repairing the sprayer arm. Water and electricity do not mix, so ensuring there is no possibility of them coming into contact while working on your dishwasher is always a good idea.
Empty the Dishwasher
Accessing the sprayer arms can be much more difficult if your dishwasher is loaded with dishes. In addition, you do not want to risk damaging any dishware while working to access and repair the sprayer arms. Make sure your dishwasher is empty, then wipe down the interior with a microfiber cloth to clear away any debris.
Remove the Sprayer Arms
While the design of sprayer arms can vary slightly based on the manufacturer, in general these components connect to the dishwasher using a fastening nut of some kind. Twisting this fastening nut counter-clockwise will loosen the connection and allow you to pull the sprayer arm out of its assembly.
Inspect the Sprayer Arm
Once the sprayer arm is detached from the dishwasher, you will be able to inspect the component and determine if it is better to clean/repair the arm or if it should be replaced instead. If there are no visible signs of cracking or other damage and the arm connects and disconnects easily from its assembly, it is likely that a good cleaning is all that is needed.
To clean, soak the sprayer arm in warm water and vinegar. For stubborn bits of food or other gunk that are stuck in the holes of the sprayer arm, try using a straightened wire coat hanger or paper clip to pick them out.
If you decide it is best to replace the sprayer arm, consult your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for the proper model number of the replacement part. While shopping websites such as Amazon often sell “universal” sprayer arms, it is best to ensure that you are using the component that was designed specifically for your appliance.
Finishing Touches
After securing the cleaned or replaced sprayer arm, reload the dish racks back into the dishwasher and turn the water supply and power back on. Then, run a test load to make sure the sprayer arm is functioning properly. This test load should be representative of the typical types of dirty dishes you would expect to load in the appliance. If issues persist, then contact an experienced local dishwasher repair specialist like Comfort Appliance Repair of Atlanta. We are here to help you with all your appliance repair needs for both home and commercial cold appliances. We work on all major brands so contact us today to learn more.
