In this modern era, dishwashers are one of those things that make our lives simpler and more convenient. All we need to do is load up dishes, run the cleaning cycle, and then spend the next hour attending to other tasks. Yet, we often take our dishwashers for granted till it suddenly stops working.
If you are currently dealing with the same problem, keep reading the information below to find out a possible cause of this problem and the way to solve it.
5 Common Reasons For A Clogged Dishwasher
1. Clogged Drain Hose
A dishwasher drains through the hose that is usually connected to garbage disposal or kitchen sink drain.
Over time, a drain hose may get the interior build-up of the sludge causing backups and clogs. To eliminate the clog, clean a dishwasher drain pipe as well as other drain pipes under a sink.
2. Clogged Filter Basket
A dishwasher comes with a filter basket that is fitted in a drain to prevent the scraps of food, as well as other items from entering pipes.
A filter basket requires to be cleaned daily, ensuring that the dishes will come out sparkling clean.
In case you have hard water problems try soaking a drain basket in vinegar for removing the deposits. This can ensure that a dishwasher filter basket’s holes won’t become clogged.
3. Garbage Disposal
In some cases, new garbage disposal installations may cause a dishwasher to get clogged in case a knockout plug wasn’t removed when the disposal was installed.
To solve this issue, remove the plug. If the garbage disposal is older, things you have been putting down disposal can be a source of the problem.
4. Clogged Drains
In case you have several clogged drains in a home or water keeps gurgling back up into a sink while the dishwasher drains, it can be a sign of a more serious clog; the kind of clog that has nothing to do with the dishwasher, which means you will certainly need the help of a professional to fix the issue.
5. Broken Sewer Line
Some people believe that a clogged dishwasher can’t be caused by a broken line. However, in reality, the broken sewer pipe may block all the drains in a home. In case a dishwasher, shower, and guest toilet won’t drain, it is time for a professional assessment of the sewer pipes.
How To Fix A Clogged Dishwasher
Diagnose A Cause Of A Problem
Oftentimes, dishwasher clogs can be caused by inappropriate use. For example, some dishwasher owners are not ensuring that they dispose of cooking oils and food properly, causing oils and fragments to become lodged within the dishwasher drain pipes. Try conducting the inspection around the kitchen sink drains and dishwasher. Ensure the issue is actually the clog before trying to fix it.
Gather All The Right Plumbing Tools
After properly identifying the cause of the dishwasher clog, ensure you’re well-equipped for unclogging drains.
Some tools you’ll need include:
- Phillips head screwdriver (for removing drain grates)
- Gloves
- Bucket
- A drain snake or auger•
- Baking soda and vinegar
Gain Access To The Dishwasher Drains To Get Rid Of Debris
To stay safe, ensure the dishwasher unit is unplugged or off before attempting to solve the issue.
- First, try removing dish racks from the unit, and then find a drain grate, which is located somewhere on a unit’s bottom. You can remove a grate with a screwdriver.
- Use the drain auger for clearing debris within a pipe. Also, it’s recommended to use natural solutions like vinegar or baking soda instead of chemicals since frequent chemical use may harm drains more.
- Reattach a grate and then reinsert dish racks.
- Finally, power the dishwasher back on, running it to find out if performance issues are resolved.
Bottom Line
As you can see, there can be a lot of reasons for a clogged dishwasher. Identifying the possible cause and choosing the right method to solve it is the necessary step to take.
However, if you won’t be able to fix the issue by yourself, you should consider contacting a professional who can help you with it.
By using high-quality video inspection tools, the plumbing expert will be able to determine the precise cause of the dishwasher drain damage in a home.
After which they will identify affordable and practical repair options for the plumbing issue, helping you to successfully solve it.