Unknown dishwasher filter gunk?!

nicolac

So, my dishwasher failed and error codes said that there was problems with the water intake. After a few engineer callouts the problem seems to be that although the water coming in is fine and has plenty of force, the water inlet filter to the dishwasher itself is getting gunked up. That literally is the best way of describing it. I'd add a photo but the forum won't allow me. It is a clear-ish mucus like substance that is clogging the filter and not allowing the water to get through. Once removed, its very difficult to just rinse it off so the thimble shaped filter has been replaced twice now. On the old filter that was removed, I still have it and the mucus eventually shrinks and hardens when taken away from the water.

I should add, that there isn't a problem with water hardness or anything like that in the area so its definitely not limescale which is visually very different to this. The engineer who found the issue (unlike the others who fiddled around with the pipes, didn't even pull the dishwasher out or even check any parts etc...thats another saga!) said he has never see that sort of thing happen before so didn't have any idea what it might be. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any ideas?

nmacc

I've never seen this in the mains and usually the dishwasher runs off the mains as it's readily available under the kitchen sink. However if your dishwasher is fed from the cold water storage tank, then it's not an unusual phenomenon. If the water in the CWS tank is exposed to light, say from a skylight, then green pond slime will grow very well and it will easily block up the intake filter. However it would block the toilet cisterns as well, so if you've no issues there, that's probably not the answer. Either way it's easy to check.

Assuming it is coming up the rising main, then you may have to talk to the council or the operators of the group water scheme as appropriate.

It's odd that it blocks the filter but not the strainer in the sink mixer and that you haven't noticed anything strange in the sink.

The solution might be a filter on the incoming mains.

Calahonda52

nmacc wrote: »

I've never seen this in the mains and usually the dishwasher runs off the mains as it's readily available under the kitchen sink. However if your dishwasher is fed from the cold water storage tank, then it's not an unusual phenomenon. If the water in the CWS tank is exposed to light, say from a skylight, then green pond slime will grow very well and it will easily block up the intake filter. However it would block the toilet cisterns as well, so if you've no issues there, that's probably not the answer. Either way it's easy to check.

Assuming it is coming up the rising main, then you may have to talk to the council or the operators of the group water scheme as appropriate.

It's odd that it blocks the filter but not the strainer in the sink mixer and that you haven't noticed anything strange in the sink.

The solution might be a filter on the incoming mains.

Good piece of work here NMACC
as u say we need more detailed intel on the setup

nicolac

Thanks for the replies. I should add that I'm in an apartment on the 6th floor in Sandyford, Dublin if that makes any difference. There is no problem with the washing machine or with the toilets or either the kitchen or bathroom taps.

The dishwasher filter is located at the back of the machine as part of the dishwasher and is between the machine and its incoming water hose. We have an on site manager so I'll ask him about it and see what he says. If you want to see what it looks like, I managed to put up a photo on another plumbing forum so you can see it there : www . filtersfast . com/forums/inline-water-filters/

Are there any particular recommendations about the type of filter I would need to put on the incoming water to the dishwasher or should I go as far as a filter on the incoming water to the whole apartment?

Calahonda52

www.filtersfast.com/forums/inline-water-filters not much fun as we need to sign in to see it

This might be useful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taUgzvbxTBo

nicolac

Unfortunately I haven't reached my 50 posts quota here before it will let me put up links or photos to show you alas.

Thanks for the video. It looks simple enough. I'll definitely put something in place as the dishwasher filter just isn't easy to get to at all so a filter in the line would be much better.

So, the question now is should I put something in place at the water entry to the whole apartment or will something just for the dishwasher do? What type of filter should I be looking at? I saw this if it was suitable : www . amazon . com/General-Pump-Brass-Inline-Filter/dp/B000F898B4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_lg_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=150DNPXX6JV5SRRF1T0R