What to Do If the Dishwasher Does Not Drain Water
You have done everything right to wash and load the dishwasher correctly . So why did a puddle of stagnant water form at the bottom of the car? What to do if your trusty dishwasher refuses to drain? If the last thing you want is to shell out for a repairman, or worse, a brand new car, you might be in luck. Like many other dishwasher malfunctions and malfunctions , stagnant water can usually be fixed on your own with a little troubleshooting. Here’s what to do if your dishwasher isn’t draining properly.
Quick Solution: Run Uninstall
According to the American Home Shield , water may not drain due to full garbage collection. Simply running the uninstall for about 30 seconds may be enough to resolve the issue. However, if that doesn’t help, read on.
How to Check Your Dishwasher for Clogs and Blockages
If running a delete doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to investigate other types of blocking. But first…
Remove standing water
To get a closer look at potential culprits, you need to remove the puddle of water at the bottom of the dishwasher:
- Start by placing absorbent towels under and around the dishwasher.
- Remove the lower dish tray, which should simply slide out.
- Use a cup or bowl to scoop dirty water from the bottom of the dishwasher into the sink (or disposal bucket).
- Once there is too little water to scoop up, soak up any remaining liquid with a cloth or paper towels.
Another draining method: baking soda and vinegar.
American Home Shield also suggests mixing about one cup each of baking soda and vinegar and pouring into still water. This mixture should loosen any blockages causing the problem. If the water starts to run out after about 20 minutes, you can rinse it with hot water and run the dishwasher rinse cycle. From here, let’s move on to the real culprits behind your drain problem.
Drain hose
The dishwasher drain hose should be located directly under the sink, between the drain pump and the drain line. Otherwise, you can access the drain hose by removing the protective plate on the front of the dishwasher. Check the accessible parts of the hose (perhaps under the sink). If you find a blockage, you can most likely remove the blockage with a commercially available drain cleaner.
Also, pay attention to the kinks in the hose, which can be straightened out neatly and easily. Sometimes you need to remove the hose to clear any blockages. Take out the hose and either run it under the sink or blow out one end to get debris out of the other.
Air gap
The air gap is a small chrome cylinder located at the back of the sink. Its purpose is to prevent dirty wastewater from entering the dishwasher. From Home Expert Bob Veal : Run your dishwasher and check for water coming out of the air gap. If so, then there is a blockage. Clean it out by removing the air gap cover and cleaning the inside with a mixture of baking soda and water (see above).
drain valve
Not all dishwashers have a drain valve, but if it does, it should be located under the machine (often right next to the engine). Once you find the valve, check the shutter lever, which is the moving part that has two springs attached to it. Press the valve shutter lever; if it doesn’t move freely for any reason, you may need to replace the drain valve.
Filter
Check the bottom of the dishwasher to make sure no item or pieces of food have fallen off the shelf and blocked the water flow. You can remove and clean the filters with hot soapy water. Otherwise, it might be time to replace your filters with new ones.
How to prevent a clogged dishwasher
Prevention is always the best solution to keep your dishwasher running at peak efficiency. Let’s hope it’s enough to take proactive steps, such as properly cleaning and loading the dishwasher. You can also check out these clog prevention tips from Home Depot :
- Before loading the dishwasher, remove large crumbs and other food residues from the dishes.
- Choose a hot water cycle to get rid of hardened food.
- Keep your dishwasher clean and in good working order by wiping down the inside and cleaning all accessible parts of the dishwasher.
- Check the filter regularly and remove anything that might be stuck in it.
- Run your dishwasher more often to ensure trouble-free operation
Finally, before starting the next load, double check that the dishwasher door latch is closed. If the door is not locked, the dishwasher will not drain completely.
If your dishwasher still won’t drain after all these troubleshooting steps, you may need to call in a professional. If it is a new dishwasher, it may be covered by an extended warranty . Alternatively, your dishwasher may be covered by a home warranty , which includes sending a qualified service technician.