Why Isn’t My Dishwasher Draining?

by Sarkinen Plumbing | Sep 06, 2019

When your dishwasher works well, you probably take it for granted. After all, you’re a busy person, and if you bought a top-of-the-line model, why should you worry about it? Yet when your dishwasher stops draining, it’s not only very frustrating, but can disrupt the whole flow of your kitchen, and leave you with a pile of dirty dishes you barely have time to deal with.

At Sarkinen Plumbing, our goal is for all your home appliances to function at peak efficiency. Fortunately, we are experienced with drainage problems, and know all the tips and tricks for solving this type of issue. Keep reading to learn the most likely reasons your dishwasher isn’t draining, and call our experienced Vancouver plumbers for all your other essential plumbing services.

The Top 3 Reasons Your Dishwasher Isn’t Draining:

• Your filters are clogged: Unsurprisingly, clogs—that all too familiar plumbing scourge—are to blame for most of your dishwasher’s drainage problems. In many cases, your dishwasher’s lower filters, located inside the unit around the sump, are to blame. These filters catch excess grime from your dishes. However, if you do not thoroughly rinse your dishes before putting them in the washer, or if you’ve simply been using your dishwasher for a long time, these filters can clog up with food particles and debris. Luckily, it is easy enough to find and clean your lower filters. Just extract the large basket and smaller mesh component from your dishwasher, and rinse and scrub them thoroughly. After that, your washer should be flushing like brand new!
• Your hoses are clogged: Once again, the problem of clogs returns. If it’s not your filters that are the issue, it’s most likely your dishwasher’s hose. The drain hose is the tube that usually connects your dishwasher to your sink drain/garbage disposal. Overtime, this part collects dirt, eventually coating it in a nasty residue. This can turn into sludge, with thoroughly clogs the hose. Using a flashlight, you can usually look behind your dishwasher and inspect it for clogs yourself. If you determine that it is clogged, you can either clean the hose, or replace it—or call a professional plumber to take care of it for you. This component is vital not only for your dishwasher but for the appliances it’s connected to, so if it is clogged, it’s key to act promptly.
• There’s another blockage: Occasionally, the problem with your dishwasher actually does not have anything to do with your dishwasher. It’s not uncommon for a clog elsewhere in your plumbing system to affect the performance of other appliances in your home. If this is the case, you may be experiencing back-ups and drainage issues in sinks, too. Watch out for the signs, and if you do think you have an obstruction, call a plumber to take care of it as soon as possible.

Call Sarkinen Plumbing today at (360) 369-3586 for drain cleaning, garbage disposal repair, emergency plumbing, and more! You can also fill out our contact form online.