Hello,
One by one, I’m eliminating possible causes for dirty dishes in the upper rack of my Kenmore Ultra Wash dishwasher, based on the advice in these forums.
I unscrewed the Check Valve from the bottom of the machine; although the main part of the tube is clear, the black rubber flapper had a slight buildup of calcium.
I soaked the Valve unit in a cup of pure ZEP Calcium and Lime cleaner for an hour, then was able to scrape off the remaining calcium deposits.
My question: Cleaning the Check Valve clearly eliminates many drainage problems. But if the Check Valve is already 100% clean and clear, should it be replaced regardless? For example, can the rubber flapper become stiff due to age and thus allow dirty water to flow back into the dishwasher?
Thank you in advance for your advice.
- Leo