So, your dishwasher’s turned into a mini swimming pool, huh? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us – let’s dive into some super easy fixes you can try before calling in the pros!
Picture this: you’ve just finished a delicious meal, you load up your dishwasher, press start, and walk away, expecting sparkling clean dishes in a few hours. But, oh no, you come back to find a pool of murky water at the bottom. Your dishwasher is not draining, and you’re officially in panic mode. This is a pretty common issue, and often a very simple solution.
Before you start freaking out and imagining a flooded kitchen, take a deep breath. A dishwasher won’t drain for a bunch of reasons, and many of them are totally DIY-able. We’re talking about things you can check and fix in minutes, saving you time, money, and a major headache. Let’s find the solution to getting your dishwasher back to its dish-cleaning glory, because lets face it, nobody wants to do dishes by hand!
Before we become appliance whisperers lets understand, that dishwasher problems can be solved with a little patience and elbow grease. We’ll walk you through the most likely culprits, step-by-step, so you can get that dishwasher standing water situation sorted ASAP. You might be surprised at how easy it is to fix a dishwasher drain yourself!
Why Is My Dishwasher Not Draining?
Okay, so your dishwasher is not draining – it’s like a mini indoor lake, and definitely not the vibe you’re going for. It happens! And there are a few usual suspects that are often behind this watery mess. Before you call for appliance repair, we’re going to tackle the most common reasons why your dishwasher might be holding onto that water.
Think of your dishwasher like a mini ecosystem. It needs the right flow of water in and out to do its job. When something disrupts that flow, you end up with a blocked dishwasher, and that dreaded dishwasher standing water. The good news is that most of the time, the blockage is something super simple you can find and remove yourself, and we will go over the simple steps together!
Checking the Dishwasher Filter and Drain Basket
Alright, let’s start with the absolute easiest thing to check – the filter and drain basket. These are your dishwasher’s first line of defense against food particles and other gunk, and they can get seriously nasty. Think of it like cleaning the lint trap in your dryer, but, you know, wetter and with more food bits. We are going to start here because a dishwasher filter clogged situation is one of the main causes of dishwasher problems.
Locating the Filter
First things first, you’ll need to find the filter. It’s usually located at the bottom of your dishwasher, under the lower spray arm. You might need to remove the bottom rack to get to it. Don’t worry, it’s usually super easy to pop out – no tools required!
Removing and Cleaning the Filter
Once you’ve located the filter, you’ll probably see one or two parts: a coarse filter (sometimes called the upper filter assembly) and a fine filter (the lower filter). They usually twist and lock together, or sometimes just lift straight out. Take them apart, and get ready for some potential grossness.
Rinse both filter parts under hot, running water. Use a soft brush (an old toothbrush works great!) to scrub away any stuck-on food or debris. Make sure to get into all the little nooks and crannies. You want these filters to be squeaky clean, and free from any food that can potentially cause a dishwasher drain clogged.
Checking the Drain Basket
While you’re down there, take a look at the drain basket or sump area. This is the area around the filter where water collects before being pumped out. Remove any large debris you find – chunks of food, broken glass, anything that could be blocking the flow. Make sure you do a thorough check because this is the most common reason for a dishwasher not draining.
Reassembling and Testing
Once everything is clean, put the filters back together and pop them back into place. Make sure they’re securely locked in. Run a short rinse cycle on your dishwasher to see if the water drains properly. If it does, congrats! You’ve just solved your dishwasher problems and are free from any dishwasher standing water.
Inspecting the Dishwasher Drain Hose
Okay, so you’ve cleaned the filter and drain basket, but your dishwasher is still not draining. Don’t sweat it! The next likely culprit is the dishwasher drain hose. Think of it as the dishwasher’s exit route for all that dirty water. If it’s kinked, clogged, or otherwise obstructed, the water has nowhere to go.
Locating the Drain Hose
The dishwasher drain hose is usually a flexible, corrugated plastic hose that connects your dishwasher to either your garbage disposal or your sink’s drainpipe. You’ll likely need to pull your dishwasher out from under the counter to get a good look at it. Before you do, make sure to turn off the power to the dishwasher at the breaker box – safety first!
Checking for Kinks and Bends
Carefully examine the entire length of the hose for any sharp kinks or bends. These can restrict the water flow and cause a backup. If you find any, gently straighten them out. Sometimes, simply repositioning the hose can solve the problem. A kinked hose will forsure cause a dishwasher not draining situation.
Disconnecting and Inspecting for Clogs
If you don’t see any obvious kinks, you might need to disconnect the hose to check for clogs. Have a bucket and some towels handy, as there will likely be some water in the hose. Disconnect the hose from both the dishwasher and the disposal/drainpipe. Carefully inspect the inside of the hose for any blockages – food, grease, or other debris. A flashlight can be helpful here.
Clearing the Clog
If you find a clog, you can try to clear it with a long, flexible tool like a plumbing snake or a coat hanger. Be gentle, though – you don’t want to puncture the hose. You can also try flushing the hose with hot water from your sink. If you think you have a garbage disposal clogged dishwasher, you’ll want to address this from the disposal as well. We will cover this more in the upcoming sections.
Reconnecting and Testing
Once you’ve cleared any clogs and straightened out any kinks, reconnect the hose to both the dishwasher and the disposal/drainpipe. Make sure the connections are secure. Turn the power back on to the dishwasher and run a short rinse cycle to see if the water drains properly. A clean dishwasher drain hose should clear up any dishwasher water not pumping issue you have.
Checking the Dishwasher Air Gap and Garbage Disposal
Alright, so you’ve tackled the filter, the drain basket, and the drain hose, but you’re still staring at a dishwasher not draining. It’s time to investigate a couple of other potential culprits: the dishwasher air gap and the garbage disposal. These two often work together, and a problem with one can affect the other.
What’s a Dishwasher Air Gap?
The dishwasher air gap is that little chrome cylinder you often see on your sink, next to the faucet. It sounds fancy but, its job is pretty simple: it prevents dirty dishwasher water from flowing back into your clean water supply. It’s a crucial part of your plumbing, and if it gets clogged, it can definitely cause dishwasher problems.
Checking the Air Gap for Clogs
To check the air gap, simply remove the chrome cover (it usually just twists or pops off). Underneath, you’ll see a plastic cap. Remove that too. You may or may not be able to see food particles, but either way, it’s time to grab a small brush to clean any debri out. Clean any gunk or debris you find inside. You can also try running water through the air gap to flush it out.
The Garbage Disposal Connection
If your dishwasher drains through your garbage disposal, a garbage disposal clogged dishwasher situation is a very real possibility. The disposal and the dishwasher share a drain connection, so if the disposal is clogged, the dishwasher water can’t drain properly. This is a super common reason for a dishwasher won’t drain.
Running the Disposal
The easiest thing to try first is simply running your garbage disposal. Often, this will clear any minor clogs and allow the dishwasher to drain. Make sure to run cold water while the disposal is running. This will help to flush out any loose debris. Running the disposal is a great way to routinely avoid any dishwasher problems.
Checking the Disposal Knockout Plug
If your dishwasher is newly installed, or you’ve recently replaced your garbage disposal, there’s a chance the disposal knockout plug hasn’t been removed.This plug blocks the dishwasher drain connection, and if it’s still in place, your dishwasher is not drining because of this. The knockout plug is located inside the disposal’s dishwasher drain connection. You’ll need to remove the dishwasher drain hose to access it. If the plug is present, you’ll need to remove it (usually with a hammer and screwdriver). Once it’s removed, reconnect the hose and try running the dishwasher again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there standing water in the bottom of my dishwasher?
Dishwasher standing water is a common problem, and it usually means your dishwasher is not draining properly. The most common causes are a dishwasher filter clogged, a kinked or dishwasher drain hose, a dishwasher air gap, or a garbage disposal clogged dishwasher. If you find that you are still having dishwasher problems, you may need to call your local appliance repair technician.
How do I manually drain my dishwasher?
If your dishwasher won’t drain and you need to remove the standing water, you can do it manually. First, turn off the power to the dishwasher at the breaker box. Then, use a cup, bowl, or turkey baster to scoop out as much water as possible. You can soak up the remaining water with towels. Once the water is removed, you can start troubleshooting the cause of the drainage problem.
What are some signs of a failing dishwasher pump?
The dishwasher pump is responsible for circulating water during the wash cycle and pumping it out during the drain cycle.
Some signs of a failing pump include:
- Dishwasher not draining: If the pump is failing, it may not be able to pump out the water, resulting in standing water.
- Unusual noises: A failing pump may make grinding, whining, or humming noises.
- Poor cleaning performance: If the pump isn’t circulating water properly, your dishes may not be getting clean.
It is best to have a professional from your local appliance repair company take a look.
Wrapping Up
Dealing with a dishwasher not draining can be a real pain, but as you’ve seen, it’s often something you can fix yourself! By checking the filter, drain hose, air gap, and garbage disposal, you can often solve the problem without having to call for dishwasher repair. Remember, a little dishwasher maintenance can go a long way in preventing future drainage issues.
If you’ve tried all these steps and your dishwasher is still not draining, or if you’re just not comfortable tackling these repairs yourself, don’t hesitate to call a professional for kitchen appliance repair or the best dishwasher repair. Sometimes, it’s best to leave it to the experts, especially if you suspect a more serious issue like a faulty pump or a blocked dishwasher drain line. If you are located in the Lower Mainland, Top Appliance Repair Burnaby ready to help you!