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3 Causes Why Dishwasher Won’t Drain Water and How to Fix It

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If you’ve ever dealt with smelly plumbing in the kitchen, you know how hard it is to ignore. No one wants that in their home. But if your dishwasher isn’t draining, the odour, mess, and frustration could quickly become your problem.

 

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Top 3 Causes Why Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain Water

Here are three common causes for drainage issues in dishwashers and their solutions:

  1. Clogged drain pipe: Check the drain pipe for blockages. Disconnect the dishwasher drain line from the Y-branch tailpiece under your sink, as this connection is often the source of the clog.
  2. Blocked drain filter: Remove and inspect the drain filter for debris, then clean it thoroughly.
  3. Faulty drain pump: Examine the dishwasher’s drain pump. If it’s malfunctioning, consider replacing it.

Don’t let standing water in your dishwasher disrupt your routine. The certified technicians at Spark Service PRO, a Fix Appliances CA Inc. division, have provided expert tips to help you identify and resolve drainage issues. Read on to discover the common causes of dishwasher drainage problems and how to fix them.

A dishwasher that won’t drain water might clean your dishes. However, the dirty water from the cycle rotates in your kitchen. This is not only a hassle because you can’t run another load of dishes, but it is also unsanitary. Below are some of the main reasons why your dishwasher does not drain. Check the details of each as the first step in troubleshooting your problem.

3 Causes Why Dishwasher Won’t Drain Water and How to Fix It
Spark Service: Dishwasher Won’t Drain

There is Food in the Drain

Occasionally, people leave large particles of food on the dishes and bowls they place in the dishwasher. This is a big mistake that can clog the dishwasher’s drain.

To identify if this is a problem, open the dishwasher and pull out the bottom tray. If you see food particles caught around the sides of the drain, this may be the problem. You might also want to run your finger along the edge of the drain to see if it is clogged, but you can’t see it.

Your Sink Drain is Clogged

Incredibly, the problem with a dishwasher that won’t drain might have nothing to do with the actual dishwasher appliance. Instead, your sink might be to blame.

The dishwasher in your kitchen has a water release pipe that leads the drained water away toward the sink. This pipe is connected to the same pipe that drains the sink basin. If your sink is clogged in the pipe below the basin, the dishwasher will not drain.

The Air Gap is Clogged

One of the most overlooked parts of the dishwasher system is the air gap, a cylinder set up next to the sink faucet. If the air gap is clogged, the drain’s pumping suction will not function properly. As a result, the water will not drain properly after the cycle, though it may drain a little bit.

Steps to Fix a Dishwasher Not Draining Completely

Once you identify the problems that could prevent water from draining from the dishwasher, you are halfway to fixing the problem. After finding the main problems, it is time to roll up your sleeves and start unclogging the dishwasher drain.

Below are the easiest and best solutions to fix and unclog a dishwasher that is not draining completely.

Remove Food From the Drain

Obviously, if food is in your dishwasher drain, you need to remove it to start draining the standing water at the end of a cycle. To remove the extra pieces of food, use latex gloves or straw to push and pull along the edge of the drain screen.

The drain is usually a circle or oval, so make sure you clear out the entire circumference. This should allow the water to start draining almost immediately. Dispose of any food remnants, and watch out for broken glass.

Run Your Sink Disposal

You may not need dishwasher repair services for such an easy problem and solution.

Since your dishwasher drain is connected to the drain pipe below the sink basin, this is one of the easiest actions that you can take to unclog the dishwasher drain. If the pipe below the sink is clogged, the water will get backed up into the dishwasher from the clog.

To fix this problem, run your sink aerator or disposal. This should empty the dishwasher water immediately.

Rotate or Unclog the Air Gap

The air gap is the final and most straightforward solution to the problem of having a dishwasher that doesn’t drain well. Possibly, some dishes ran into the air gap and tweaked it out of position. Or maybe food particles flowed from the drain into the air gap hole and clogged it.

Try rotating the air gap back and forth to free debris. You can also use a toothpick to clean out the air gap hole. The next time you run the dishwasher, see if air comes up out of the air gap. If not, the clog is further down the pipe, connecting it to the drain and pipe.

Quick Dishwasher Repair Near Me

If water is in the bottom of your dishwasher, you are dealing with a hassle that could potentially be very stinky. Dishwashers are needed for the family to stay clean and organized, so there is no need for a dishwasher to be clogged for a long time. Instead of troubleshooting and figuring out how to fix the problems yourself, entrust the job to the professional technicians at Spark Service.

Please give our friendly appliance repairman a chance to save time and hassle and get your kitchen smelling better today. Spark’s repair team has seen it all and has the expertise and safety procedures to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Some of the greatest reasons for choosing our service:

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Our service representative is waiting for your call. So don’t wait another minute if your dishwasher doesn’t get water or will not drain. Please call us today at 888-242-0777 and book a dishwasher repair visit.

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What Our Customers Say About Us

Discover how Spark Service PRO maintains a 5-star service record since day one.

Cristina was very prompt in reaching out to my request and accommodated a service date to fit my tight schedule. The next day, Nick the technician came around and was very thorough at inspecting my dishwasher for any possible faults with sporadic leaking. He provided some helpful information to try resolve this as the dishwasher (naturally) did not play up when he was there!

rating Sarah C., Etobicoke, Ontario
Sarah C., Etobicoke, Ontario
Frigidaire Dishwasher Inspection
February 21, 2024

Bosch Dishwasher Repair : Error Message E15 I booked my appointment via Live Chat and the Tech came the very next day - neat and Tidy worker. Yarik explained the issue with the machine - fixed it quickly and didn't leave until he was able to ensure there would be no further leaking. Thank You Yarik!

rating Michael J. , Toronto, Ontrio
Michael J. , Toronto, Ontrio
Bosch Dishwasher Repair
February 04, 2024

Have an old dishwasher in my rental unit that needed new springs. Shani was very helpful in arranging the service call and answering all my questions. Alex was the technician sent to do the work. Found replacement parts the following week and fixed the dishwasher; my tenants were satisfied. He arranged both appts with my tenants, to accommodate their schedule. Very professional. Great customer service. Worth the money. Will definitely call them again.

rating Amy, Toronto, ON
Amy, Toronto, ON
Admiral dishwasher repair
January 17, 2024

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