A dishwasher can make life easier. It reduces the hassle of hand-washing and keeps the kitchen countertops and sink free from the clutter of dirty dishes. If your dishwasher stops working properly, don’t panic. There are several things you can do to get it working properly once more.

Following are methods of dealing with common dishwasher problems. And remember: Always keep in mind safety first.

1) Before working on your dishwasher, unplug the appliance from its electrical receptacle or shut off the circuit that powers it.

2) Turn off the hot water supply valve beneath the sink before disconnecting or working on the dishwasher’s supply valve or hose.

3) Don’t work inside the dishwasher immediately following a wash cycle; various parts, especially the electric dryer element at the bottom, may still be hot.

Once you’ve completed these preliminary steps, you’re ready to tackle the problem at hand. Of course, if you feel that the work is a bit too much to handle, call in a dishwasher repair pro.