Table of Contents
Dishwasher not draining
Introduction
A dishwasher is a technical helping hand in the kitchen. Its a necessary appliance in all the household.But to every convenience there is a set of rules to be followed . Imagine how frustrating it is to open your dishwasher after a cycle only to find standing water at the bottom .
Dishwasher not draining can be frustrating but with regular maintenance you can often identify and fix issues yourself.
It is important to understand basics of how a dishwasher works to help you troubleshoot issues and maintain the the appliance for longer durability.
Working of Dishwasher
Control panel is where we start the cycles and other options.Water inlet valve maintains the flow of the water into the dishwasher.The circulation pumps further pumps the water with the help of spray arms having a nozzle to spray water and detergent on the dishes.Detergent dispenser holds and releases the detergent as and when required.Float switch maints the water level inside the washer to prevent overfilling.Drain pump carries the dirty water out of the dishwasher which is further carried out by a drain hose to the kitchen sink drain or the garbage disposal.
Major Causes of Dishwasher not Draining:
Checking for clogs
Major and the most common reason for draining issues is clogged drain. Leftover food particles, grease, and soap residual can accumulate in the filter, drain pump or drain hose thereby obstructing water flow.
To check clogging , remove the bottom rack to access the drain area then check the filter and clean it if required.Then further check the drain hose for any obstructions.For cleaning efficiency disconnect the hose and clean it with pipe cleaner if possible.
Note: Component placement can be different for some models so check the model guide you received with the machine or take a professional’s help.
Inspect air gaps
The air gap is the small device or a cylindrical structure that connects dishwasher to the sink drain which prevents the backflow of the dirty water so if the gap is blocked it can stop the drainage process.
To clean the gap remove the cover of the air gap and clean it with a brush. Reassemble the gap after cleaning and run a test cycle to check if its working properly.
Check the drain pump
To check the drain pump which is located at the bottom of the dishwasher, see for any signs of residual obstruction or damage to the pump.If the pump needs cleaning do that and run a test cycle to verify its working.If the pump is damage then a change of pump may be needed.
Check garbage disposal
If the dishwasher is connected to a garbage disposal then there is a possibility of clogging.To clean it turn off the power to the device first and disconnect it from the dishwasher.Inspect for clogging if needed use some tool such as plumbers snake to remove any residuals reconnect after cleaning .
Check the drain hose
The drain hose is connected to the pump below the lower spray arm. The drain hose runs from the pump to the sink drain, or to the air gap.Check the hose for damage or if it is connected properly to both the dishwasher and the drain.Straighten the bends in the hose if there are any.
Conclusion
The above mentioned are the most common causes of a dishwasher not draining .If you are not able to diagnose the problem or unable to fix the issues it is absolutely fine to call a professional for guidance and get it done.These problems can be prevented by regular maintenance or proper use of the device. You can also learn the working and proper location of the components of your machine from a professional and later do it by yourself .
Note: Component placement can be different for some models so check the model guide you received with the machine or take a professional’s help to know and understand your device.
Draining issues -other causes of dishwasher not draining
The above mentioned were the general issues which with little help and knowing can be resolved .
Dishwasher not draining can also occur due faulty component for which you may require professional help, unless you know to fix it.This problem generally occur if the quality is not good or the device was not maintained properly.This issue can occur for multiple reasons, above were the general and most common ones. You may require a change of components in certain cases especially for old devices.