When your dishwasher won’t drain, it isn’t going to get your dishes clean. So when you open up the dishwasher door and find cups of dingy water lingering in the bottom of the tub, it’s time to get to the root of the problem, fast.
Some causes of a dishwasher not draining require a professional to troubleshoot and replace damaged parts; however, you might be surprised at how simple some other solutions are. Check these common issues before you bring in a dishwasher repair pro.
- Clogs. Because of all the food debris your dishwasher deals with every time you run it, blockages caused by food particles are not uncommon. Check the bottom of your dishwasher for food, paper, or other items that could be blocking the drain. Make sure to also check the drain hose for kinks or blockages that are further down the line.
- Jammed float switch. In the bottom of your dishwasher, there should be a plastic part that looks a little like an upside-down cup. This is the float switch, which controls the flow of water into, and out of, your dishwasher. Stray flatware, food debris, and other items can cause the float switch to get stuck, leading to your dishwasher not draining. Remove any debris and make sure food particles aren’t causing the float to stick. Confirm that the float is moving freely, and then try running your dishwasher again.
- Garbage disposal problems. Homes that have both a garbage disposal and a dishwasher usually run the dishwasher drain line through the garbage disposal. This setup works well, unless there’s a problem with your garbage disposal drain. If you’ve just had a new garbage disposal installed, make sure the drain plug was removed! If your garbage disposer isn’t new, try running it to confirm that any and all blockages are cleared.
If these tricks don’t resolve your dishwasher’s issue, don’t hesitate to call on US Appliances Services, Inc. We proudly offer comprehensive diagnostics and appliance repairs to help get your dishwasher back on its feet. Contact us now at (703) 596-3895 to learn more!