What to Do When Your Dishwasher Isn’t Draining

You may take your dishwasher for granted until you open it one day and discover it full of standing water. Both the sight and smell of a dishwasher that isn’t draining can be upsetting, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you need a new dishwasher. There are a few things you can try if your dishwasher isn’t draining. Before attempting any of these, be sure to disconnect the power to the dishwasher.

Run the Garbage Disposal

Since the drain hose from the dishwasher empties into the drain for the garbage disposal, running the garbage disposal for about 30 seconds may solve the problem if there’s an air gap present in the hose or if it’s clogged with food.

Loosen Clogs

Dissolving the clog may allow standing water to drain. Mix equal amounts of vinegar and baking soda and pour the mixture into the standing water. Let it sit for about 20 minutes and run the rinse cycle of the dishwasher to see if this is the fix you need.

Check the Filter

On newer models, cleaning or replacing the filter may solve the problem. Older dishwashers have built-in grinders for debris, but food can get stuck in the motor. Your owner’s manual has the information you need to determine whether your model has a filter or grinder. Once you locate which you have and where it’s located, clean out any debris you find.

Check the Drain Hose

The next thing to check is the drain hose, which is the tube that drains the dirty water, which leads from the dishwasher to the kitchen sink. If there are any kinks in this hose, they need to be straightened. Consider disconnecting the hose to remove clogs and inspect it for wear and tear. You may be able to remove a clog by using a bent wire hanger or an auger, also called a snake.

Check the Spray Arm

Occasionally a blocked spray arm can cause water to build up in a dishwasher. The spray arm is the propeller that spins and sprays water on the dishes. If the holes in the spray arm are blocked, it can affect the flow of water. Clean spray arms periodically with a thin wire or a toothpick.

If none of these actions solves the problem, reach out to the experienced team at Bestprice Appliance Repair. We have many satisfied customers in the Los Angeles area, and we strive to always provide exceptional service.  For same-day service at a valuable price, give Bestprice Appliance a call today.