Why Doesn’t All the Water Drain Out of My Dishwasher?
If your dishwasher is not draining properly there are a few things to take into consideration. Some water remaining in the bottom of your dishwasher when it completes the entire wash cycle is normal. If you open the door when the dishwasher has completed and water runs out or water runs out while the dishwasher is running this could indicate a clogged dishwasher drain or a bad dishwasher door gasket.
If you should have to clear the standing water remaining in the bottom of your dishwasher this is the best way to do it without making too much of a mess. Line the floor under the dishwasher with towels or newspaper and use a plastic cup or a long handled spoon to scoop out the water into a bowl or bucket. When the water becomes too shallow to scoop, soak up the remaining moisture with old rags or paper towels.
Sometimes a lightweight plastic cup can find its way to the underside of the loading rack and there have been some cases where it just settles in such a way that it can restrict the water flowing out of the dishwasher drain. Make sure to keep that screen free from pieces of food or a paper label that has come free from a glass jar, as well.
In this kitchen dishwasher plumbing tip series we take a look at the most common dishwasher plumbing problems, possible causes, and share some insight on diagnosing dishwasher’s that either leak or stop draining.
Do You Have Water Escaping Onto Your Floor from the Dishwasher?
Always make sure that you’re using the right type of dish detergent per manufacturer’s directions, to avoid clogging the drain or causing a flooded kitchen floor. Taking some preventative steps to keep your dishwasher running smoothly can help you avoid annoying dishwasher drain issues. Make sure you load the dishwasher according to the suggested instructions provided in the manual for your specific machine for best results. Here is a short list of other possibilities:
- Check the drain hose connecting to the sink and garbage disposal. If there are any kinks, try and straighten them out. Make sure the hose seal is tight.
- Find the drain basket, located at the side or bottom of the appliance for hardened detergent or food particles which can sometimes be responsible for clogs. Simply wash the basket free of debris and replace it.
- Listen to your machine while it’s running. Is it making a humming sound or a clicking noise? Anything other than the usual operating sounds could be a clue that something is possibly wrong with the drain pump or motor.
Are you experiencing a dishwasher plumbing problem and you need the support from a plumbing professional give us a call today! Our licensed, competent staff is available 24/7, including weekends and holidays to get your kitchen functioning smoothly. Fast, reliable and courteous service with no trip fees or overtime charges—that’s our guarantee!