17 Apr My Dishwasher Will Not Drain!

 

Dishwasher Will Not Drain

 

Since their invention in the late 1800’s, dishwashers have become a time-saving appliance that’s expected in your average, modern-day home. Like any frequently used home appliance, dishwashers require occasional maintenance and troubleshooting.

There is nothing more unpleasant than opening up the dishwasher and seeing the bottom filled with soapy water and food residue. You may question if your dishes are even clean. Check out a few reasons as to why the dishwasher might not be draining below.

Clogged Drain Pipe

If you have noticed that your dishwasher is not draining, the cause may be a clogged drain pipe. It can be almost impossible to know since the drain assembly has to be taken apart before the pipe can be inspected, and that process can be quite a headache.

The safest solution to remove clogs is to hire a plumber who can safely disassemble the drain entirely and take a look at the pipe. Sometimes, they may need to use special equipment to inspect the entire line because the clog may have formed further down the line. If you do attempt to disassemble the pipe on your own, you risk breaking the pipe and making the situation worse. If the pipe is compromised this can cause a crackand leaks to form in addition to the main drainage issue. To ensure no damage is done to your dishwasher or pipes, have a plumber inspect the drain pipe to check for clogs.

After these clogs are removed, and the dishwasher should be able to drain correctly. The best way to prevent the drain pipe from clogging is to ensure that large solids don’t make their way into the dishwasher in the first place. If you have a garbage disposal, then it’s recommended to rinse off the dishes in the sink and use the disposal (Garbage Disposal Tips found here) instead of allowing extra waste into the dishwasher. Lightly rinsed dishes make the washing cycle easier and helps you better maintain your dishwasher!

Drain Pump Malfunction 

Another reason the dishwasher will not drain may be a malfunctioning or broken drain pump. This pump is what removes the water from of the washer. If the dishwasher will not drain and the pump line is clear, then there’s a good chance that the problem could be the drain pump.

Since water is sloshed around at high velocity within the dishwasher, its common for silverware or other small kitchen utensils to become loose. These items can hit the pump and damage it on impact. Impacts strong enough to cause deep dents will cause the pump to no longer work, which leaves you with standing water in the bottom of the dishwasher.

It can be difficult to notice if the pump is dented enough if you don’t know what to look for. In some cases, rather than buying a new one, the pump can be repaired. This can typically be cheaper. However, if the pump is too damaged, then it will need to be replaced entirely.

Whether its a repair or a replacement, we recommend a professional plumber. If the pump isn’t properly positioned on the pipeline it could cause additional damage to the pump and cause leaks. An incorrect pump installation can still leave you with standing water in your washer, as the pump won’t be able to pull the water into the line.

Clogged Drain Line

Similar to the drain pipe or path, the drain line is the physical tube that actually carries water out of the dishwasher when the cycle is finished. This tube can also brake or clog. Again, you can prevent clogs by ensuring that you don’t leave solid masses on your plates to be washed away through the drain line.

Not only can the line get clogged, but if clogs remain too long, it can cause the pipe to leak or burst, which means leaks. Similar to the water pump, if the problem is in the line, then it should be either repaired or replaced. 

Malfunctioning Electronic Control Board

A dishwasher will not drain if its electronic control board is malfunctioning. As its name might suggest, the electronic control board is responsible for telling the dishwasher what to do next. Electricity feeds into the control board, and then it leads the dishwasher through its cycles. A dishwasher will not drain if the control board is broken or malfunctioning because it can no longer give out that order.

This can certainly be a difficult repair for a homeowner. If the dishwasher is not draining after the machinery has checked out, then the board might be the problem. This is a more complicated issue, and a plumber can diagnose it as well as repair it.

Dishwashers keep your time in the kitchen to a minimum, so keep your appliance running efficiently. If you’re experiencing problems with your dishwasher or dishwasher drain, contact the Ben Franklin Tyler plumber professionals!

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler serves the East Texas cities of Kilgore, Longview, Tyler, and Whitehouse with a team of certified plumbers. In addition to emergency plumbing repair, some of the plumbing services provided by the company include faucet repair, drain services, toilet repair, plumbing fixture installations, tub and shower installations, kitchen sink repair, faucet installation, water heater repair/replacement, and garbage disposal replacement. Call us today at (903) 730-6611 to schedule an appointment!