Dishwasher repairs you can trust
When a dishwasher stops draining, won't fill, or leaves dishes dirty, the fix is often simpler than replacing the machine. We repair freestanding and integrated dishwashers from all the major brands, and we'll check the seals, spray arms and drainage so it cleans properly again.
Common dishwasher faults we fix
- Not draining — Often a piece of broken glass or ceramic sitting in the pump, a dirty filter, or a blocked S bend, and sometimes a faulty pump. We work through each before quoting so you're not paying for a part you don't need.
- Not filling or no water — Faulty inlet valves, blocked inlet screens, or a float or pressure-switch fault.
- Not cleaning or leaving residue — We check the spray arms are clear and spinning, that the water's heating up inside the machine, and that the circulation pump has enough pressure. Often it's one of those three rather than a major fault. (In Australia you don't need dishwasher salt, our water isn't hard enough for it.)
- Leaking from the door — Perished door seals or a warped door, a common and tidy fix.
- Error codes or won't start — Door-latch faults, control-board issues or leak-sensor trips. We read the code and diagnose the cause.
What to expect from a dishwasher repair
How we diagnose it
Draining, filling and cleaning faults each point to different parts: the drain pump and filter, the inlet valve and float, or the wash pump, spray arms and heating element. We read any error code and test the water path end to end so the real fault is fixed, not guessed.
On the day
Most dishwasher repairs are completed in one visit — we can usually fix the fault on-site, and we carry a range of the parts that fail most often. If a part needs ordering to match your model, we quote it first so you know it's worth doing. Integrated (built-in) units take a little longer to remove and refit, and we are careful with your cabinetry when we do.
Repair or replace?
Drainage, filling and seal faults are almost always worth repairing. Where a control board or wash motor fails on an older machine, we compare the repair against a replacement so the decision is clear.
Not sure your dishwasher is worth fixing? Read our guide to repairing vs replacing an appliance — and wherever you are, from Wollongong to Shellharbour and Kiama, we come to you.
From the workshop
When a dishwasher isn't cleaning, I work through it in order: are the spray arms clear and spinning, is the water actually heating up inside, and is the circulation pump giving enough pressure? Get those three right and most 'not cleaning' complaints disappear.
One thing worth knowing in Australia: you use detergent and rinse aid, but you don't need dishwasher salt, our water isn't hard enough to need it. So don't stress about the salt light on an imported machine. And clean the filter every few cycles; a dirty filter is behind a lot of drainage and cleaning problems.
Dishwashers actually don't leak that often. Most have an internal leak-detection float that throws an error code before water ever reaches your floor. If you do see water on the floor, it's usually a cracked inlet or outlet hose at the back, not the machine itself. And I'm a big fan of the Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer: unique, reliable, and far kinder on your back than bending down to a standard machine.
A customer right on the edge of our area had a draining fault and was worried we couldn't fix it first go. They mentioned they'd recently smashed a wine glass in the machine, and I had a hunch. Brought a drain pump just in case, but it was simply a shard of glass jammed in the pump. Out in one visit, and we had a good laugh about it.
— Tyson, on the tools
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my dishwasher drain?
Usually a blocked filter or drain hose, or a failed drain pump. It's one of the most common and most fixable dishwasher faults.
Do you repair integrated (built-in) dishwashers?
Yes, we work on both freestanding and fully integrated dishwashers, and we're careful with cabinetry when removing and refitting.
My dishwasher leaves a film on the dishes. Is that a fault?
It can be a clogged spray arm, a heating fault, or a wash-pump issue rather than just detergent. We'll check the mechanics before you write it off.
How much does a dishwasher repair cost?
Our call-out fee is $100 for jobs close in across the Illawarra, or $150 for further out, and it covers travel and inspecting your dishwasher. If we can fix it on the spot without parts, there's a flat $50 labour fee per machine. If parts are needed we quote you first, and that $50 is credited toward the total repair — no overtime or after-hours surcharges.
How long does a dishwasher repair take?
Most dishwasher repairs are completed in one visit — we can usually fix the fault on-site without new parts, or with the common parts we carry. If a part is needed that we don't have with us, we quote it first, then order it in and book a quick return.
Do I need to use dishwasher salt?
Not in Australia, our water isn't hard enough to need it. Detergent and rinse aid are all you need, and you can safely ignore the salt indicator on imported machines.
How often should I clean my dishwasher filter?
Every three to five cycles, depending on how dirty the dishes go in. If you rinse plates well before loading, less often. A blocked filter is behind a lot of the draining and cleaning faults we see.
My dishwasher smells. How do I fix it?
Usually water that's been sitting and stagnating. Run a full hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner inside and it should clear, no repair needed.