Primary Causes Behind Your Dishwasher's Drainage Issues, A Top 3 Breakdown
Wondering how to unclog a dishwasher? Discover the most common causes of a dishwasher failing to drain and receive professional advice for resolving the issue.
If you've ever opened your dishwasher door only to discover standing dirty water at the bottom of the tub, you're dealing with a drainage problem. According to Appliance Solutions expert Ron Meixner, there are various reasons behind a clogged dishwasher.
- Clogged air gap on your kitchen sink.
- Clogged dishwasher drain hose.
- Kinked drain hose between the dishwasher and sink drain.
Explore effective solutions to address these three prevalent issues that can obstruct your dishwasher's drain system.
1- The air gap is clogged
Certain dishwashers utilize air gaps to prevent dirty water from backing up and contaminating dishes. A clogged air gap can impact the appliance's draining ability. To determine if your dishwasher has an air gap, locate a small silver cylinder near your faucet. If present, check for clogs by removing the top cover and lifting it straight up. Depending on the design, unscrew or release tabs on the inner cap. Remove any accumulated debris or food buildup and reassemble the air gap.
2- The dishwasher drain hose is clogged
The dishwasher drain hose is prone to clogging where it connects to the drain underneath the sink. Loosen the drain hose clamp, carefully disconnect it from the drain tee, air gap, or garbage disposal drain port. Inspect and clean any debris or food buildup from the drain connector or the end of the drain hose. Reconnect it and tighten the hose clamp.
3- The drain hose is kinked
First, check if the issue is where the hose connects to the drain underneath the sink, as kinks often occur here without proper support for the hose's weight. Kinks can also happen where the hose passes through the cabinet underneath the sink to connect the dishwasher to the drain, or if there's excess drain hose coiled behind or underneath the dishwasher. Inspect these areas to ensure there are no sharp bends in the hose. Remove any kinks and test the dishwasher drain operation.
If you can't locate and clear the dishwasher clog yourself, schedule service, and Appliance Solutions will dispatch a technician to fix your dishwasher.
How to prevent dishwasher clogs in the future
To avoid future dishwasher blockages, always scrape off food residues before placing dishes in the dishwasher. While thorough cleaning isn't necessary, removing larger chunks ensures the drain hose stays clear. Ensure your dishwasher's water is hot by running the hot water at the kitchen sink first. Use dishwasher-specific detergent and keep the dishwasher filter clean by following the owner's manual instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dishwasher Draining Issues
Q: Why is there standing water in the bottom of my dishwasher?
A: If checking for an air gap or drain hose clog, and a kinked drain hose doesn't resolve the issue, the dishwasher's filter may be blocked. Clean the filter periodically to prevent food debris buildup. Additionally, food in the garbage disposal could be blocking the dishwasher drain. Run the disposal and allow water to flow through the sink drain to remove any leftover food sludge.
Q: Can I force my dishwasher to drain?
A: Unfortunately, there's no way to force the dishwasher to drain. If the tips provided don't resolve the standing water issue, manually remove the water by bailing it, placing towels down to protect your flooring.
Dishwasher not draining? Appliance Solutions has Dishwasher Repair Experts
If you can't locate the blockage and troubleshooting doesn't solve the issue, schedule an appointment with a repair expert from Appliance Solutions. Our technicians will thoroughly inspect your dishwasher, identify the problem, and promptly fix it. Appliance Solutions has been a trusted name in the appliance repair business for decades, maintaining a tradition of highly-trained and skilled service technicians.
