My Dishwasher Won't Drain - Steps to Fixing your Dishwasher

Most people are not fans of doing chores and even fewer like washing dishes. Of all the household duties we do, dishes are perhaps the most loathed of them all- especially when the sink piles up with a mountain of dishes and then the dishwasher decides not to work as it should. If your dishwasher is not working as efficiently as it used to you are likely looking for some tips on how to fix this and get your dishwasher back up and running. The most common issue homeowners report with this important appliance is failure to drain. A lot of this comes down to how well you are taking care of your dishwasher and being thorough in your check of what might be at the root of the problem. If you are dealing with this issue and are wondering how to unclog a dishwasher without cause more damage, then this is the blog you don’t want to miss! Here are some things to check when your dishwasher stops running at maximum efficiency and when you dishwasher won’t drain properly.  

Check for Blockage

One of the most common causes for a dishwasher not draining is some sort of blockage preventing the water from draining properly. This blockage usually is in the food trap at the bottom of the inside of the appliance or in the drain hose just past the trap. Cleaning the trap and checking for any lodged food or debris is often enough to improve drainage and get the dishwasher back up and running.

Check for a Clog

Sometimes food and other materials like pieces of paper, napkins, plastic, and other materials can form tangled up messes that can clog up the inner workings of the dishwasher. Removing these clogs is another way to remove water in the dishwasher and restore proper drainage. For really bad clogs you will want to call in the experts to ensure more damage is not done trying to remove the clog!

Check the Filter

If the food trap is clean and there are no obvious clogs or mats of debris that need to be cleaned out then the next area to check is the filter.  Many dishwashers have filtration systems in place to filter the water that comes into them during their cycles and at times outside debris or contaminants can clog the filter which messes with the cycles of washing and draining and make it where you dishwasher wont drain.

Check the Drain Hose

You may be in need of some dishwasher repair help if there is a problem with the drain hose.  It ca be difficult to see and access the hose to check it thoroughly and if there is a bad clog or problem it is a difficult repair for a homeowner to make. It is best to call in the appliance repair experts and let them take care of everything for you to make sure it is done correctly!

Test the Drain Valve

Clean dishwashers are happy dishwashers and when they are clean they work efficiently and correctly. If everything looks good everywhere else then you may want to run a rest on the drain valve and make sure it is not stuck or malfunctioning in some other way. It is not an overly common issue but it is possible that it could become stuck so it is worth checking.

How to Unclog a Dishwasher

When you discover water in your dishwasher and learn that it is not draining properly, many thoughts can go through your mind. There are many things you can do to try and get to the bottom of the issue and fix it, but at times you just need the expert touch of a skilled professional to help with a dishwasher not draining properly.

How Great Pros Can Help

When your dishwasher won’t drain and doesn’t work as it should even after initiative on the homeowner’s part to fix the problem, it is time to call in the experts for dishwasher repairs. Contact a Great Pro Services expert and enjoy a clean dishwasher that works efficiently once again and say goodbye to the dreaded task of washing dishes by hand! To get into contact with one of our licensed, bonded, and insured professionals, fill out this 2-minute questionnaire. There is never pressure to choose a professional with Great Pros! Compare prices and profiles to find the right professional for your project!