What to Do When Your Dishwasher Does Not Drain
A dishwasher can be an indispensable asset to many households, offering time and effort savings relief. But just like any machine, dishwashers can experience issues. One such instance occurs when their drain doesn't properly empty its contents - water gathering at the base could indicate trouble that should be addressed quickly. If you find yourself facing a similar issue, calling in a professional plumber might seem like the solution - however, there may be simple checks and fixes you can try before reaching out to High Speed Plumbing to help - these could save both costs and stress by helping eliminate unnecessary service calls.
Prioritize Basic Checks
It is always prudent to start by conducting basic tests:
- Is it powered on? It may seem obvious, but sometimes a minor power glitch or someone accidentally hitting the off button could be the cause.
- Has the cycle been completed? If the cycle hasn’t finished, the dishwasher might still be in the process of draining. Give it some time.
Check Your Dishwasher's Filter and Drain Basket
Over time, food particles, soap scum, and debris may clog your dishwasher's filter and drain basket, leading to water not draining effectively and eventually not reaching its final destination. This could be the main culprit of why water no longer flows.
Simply open up the dishwasher and locate its filter - typically located near its base - then pull it out and clean it under running water, using a soft brush if necessary. Furthermore, clean both drain baskets to ensure no debris is blocking any pipes or openings.
Once cleaned, reassemble and run a short cycle to determine whether the issue has been solved.
Evaluate Your Drain Hose
Your dishwasher drain hose connects directly with the kitchen sink's drainage, so any obstruction in its path could prevent water from draining away properly - such as becoming clogged up or bent out of shape and blocking its path completely. Checking this hose regularly could prevent this from occurring:
Disconnect the dishwasher and sink drain hose before switching off your water source, checking for visible signs of wear, such as kinks or damage; straightening could solve this issue if possible.
If there are no visible issues, flush your hose with water to clear away any possible blockages and flush away potential blockages from its interior.
Look For Blocked Air Gap
Not all dishwashers feature air gaps; if yours does, these small devices usually rest on top of your sink to stop any sink water from going directly into the machine. A blocked air gap could prevent draining: this would only result in wasted effort!
Removing the Air Gap Cover: With a long brush or wire hanger probe, gently probe into the air gap to clear away debris that has built up over time.
Check Drain Valve
Pay careful attention after each wash cycle - you should hear a faint "click," which indicates your valves are functioning appropriately. If this does not happen, manually inspect and replace them immediately.
Reset Your Dishwasher
Sometimes, all that a dishwasher needs to function again properly is just one good reset, similar to restarting a computer when something goes haywire. Please refer to your user manual on completing this procedure for your dishwasher model.
When To Call High Speed Plumbing
If, after trying the steps listed above and still experiencing no drainage, professional help from High Speed Plumbing might be in order. A plumbing service specializing in dishwasher installation or repair has access to the tools and expertise necessary for quickly diagnosing any potential issues with your unit and providing thorough inspection services, then identifying their root causes before suggesting potential solutions.
Keep in mind, though it's admirable to attempt DIY fixes yourself, there may be times when professional intervention may be required. Suppose any steps don't feel natural to you, the problem persists, or drainage issues persist frequently without resolution. In that case, it might be wiser to consult High Speed Plumbing immediately as these could indicate more severe issues requiring costly repairs if ignored for too long.
