Dishwasher Not Draining: How To Unclog A Dishwasher?

Is your dishwasher not draining completely? It can become a serious problem because you have to call a repairman to fix it. To know if your dishwasher is working well or not you can check it by pouring an inch of water. If some water is left at the bottom then the drain is clogged. In some cases, you can fix the clog on your own. There are simple steps you can do in your home to unclog the dishwasher. It is easy to do it. Here you can find the details about all the steps.

How does the dishwasher work?

The dishwasher is connected to the drain hose where the water flows through the pipes under the sink. Sometimes the plumbing connections in the sink start to deteriorate. So it has to be replaced. The plumbing can also get clogged because of excess debris.  The food waste can get stored at the bottom of the unit. It can cause problems in the dishwasher. If you have a problem with the dishwasher, check if the food waste or other debris is under the bottom of the drainpipe or not.

Why The Dishwasher is not Draining?

The dishwasher clog is caused by many reasons. One reason is improper use. Some dishwasher users may not dispose of the oils and food waste properly from the plates. These fragments and oils can stick inside the dishwasher drain pipes. That is why it is important to be careful when using the dishwasher. If it becomes clogged you may have to spend lots of money to repair it.

1. Excess Water Leads to The Dishwasher not Draining

If you face any problems with the dishwasher not draining you can find excess water in the drain. It means you have to unclog the dishwasher. Then only the water will drain out of the dishwasher quickly. You can try restarting the dishwasher for it to work properly.

After the second cycle too if the dishwasher is not working properly, take a second look at it. Before starting the work on it, you can cut the power off. Check what is happening inside the dishwasher. You have to remove the water. Start by placing towels on the floor near the dishwasher. Have a bucket near it. After you take out all the water, dry the wetness with a towel. There is also another way to remove water from the dishwasher. You can use a wet vac to suction it all out. After figuring out the way to drain the dishwasher not draining you can pay attention to the problem.

2. Look at The Plumbing Connection Points

For the dishwasher not draining problem you can check the drain hose connected with it. Ensure that the hose is still connected to the sink or garbage disposal. You have to clear food or garbage debris to unclog a dishwasher. Take a close look at the hose clamp. These parts are important for the operation of the drain valve. If the valve components look old then you have to change them immediately.

3. Use The Garbage Disposal

You can try using the garbage disposal. There is built-in garbage disposal available. If you find any leftover foods in the disposal try turning it on as it will clear the passage. But if the disposal is making a loud noise it may be clogged. You can try the drain cleaner to get rid of garbage build-up. If it is not working troubleshoot the garbage disposal clog.

4. Disconnect Power and Take off Toe-kick

You have to disconnect the power by unplugging the dishwasher. Or you can also turn off the circuit breaker. Then remove the toe-nick.

Also read: 6 Most Common Plumbing Problems & How to Fix Them

5. Look at The Air Gap Cylinder of The Sink

The air gap cylinder flows in the right direction in the dishwasher. It helps in preventing wastewater from backing up in the dishwasher. It is available behind the sink in the outlet hose. You can check the gap cylinder to clear the inside. If you find any build-up you can clean it. Ensure if it is tightly secured. 

6. Check the Filter of The Dishwasher

After checking the plumbing you have to check inside the dishwasher. Check if there are any food and waste build-up. Also, clean the area with a rag or sponge.

Check the filter too. It is located at the bottom of the tub. The new units have smaller girds that are built in the base. They are specially designed to secure the filter from build-up. But most of the times the debris can still get accumulated. You can use the screwdriver to unscrew the casing. You can remove the filter and clean it as required.

7. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar to Clean The Drain

Baking soda and vinegar are the best agents to prevent dishwasher not draining issues. Use equal parts of baking soda and vinegar to unclog the dishwasher. You have to pour the solution into the basket and allow it to sit for fifteen minutes. Then finish by pouring hot water into the drain. Lastly, run the rinse cycle. 

8. Prevent Dishwasher Clogs

You can remove crumbs and leftover waste from the plates, bowls and other vessels. Then load the dishwasher. You have to select the hot water cycle when using the dishwasher. Keep the dishes clean and in good order. Wipe the outside and inside of the dishwasher parts. 

Then check the filter and take off anything that is stuck in it. Use the dishwasher often and wash it with dishwasher detergent. The normal operation of the dishwasher will get rid of the residue.

What to do if the problem persists?

The blocked dishwasher drains in homes can lead to lots of inconveniences. You will not be able to wash your plates, bowls and cutleries. The clogged dishwasher can flood your kitchen floors which can lead to accidents. So even after a lot of attempts your dishwasher is still not draining you can call a professional. They will know what to do and will take care of the issue in a jiffy.

Conclusion

Dishwasher not draining issue is common in many homes. Sometimes it is easy to troubleshoot. But if it is not there are professionals available who know how to handle it.

Also read: 6 Useful Hacks To Unclog Slow Drain Easily without Calling A Plumber