You just finished your holiday meal and the last thing you expect is your dishwasher not draining. You are left to wash by hand what seems like every dish in the house. Below you will learn the common problems associated with dishwasher failure, the symptoms to look for and when it is time to call a professional plumber. After all, you're the one that should be napping after that Thanksgiving meal!
Dishwasher Not Draining
Nothing is more frustrating than a dishwasher that fails to drain. You are left with a loaded appliance full of dishes and dirty dishwater. If you do not address the problem — remove the dirty water with a wet/dry vacuum — it will begin to stink after a few days. The following are common failures that lead to a dishwasher not draining.
- Most models utilize a single motor system responsible for both circulation and draining. Often when the appliance fails to drain, something has either obstructed the input or output connections on the pump housing. If there is no obstruction present, the problem could lie with a bad motor and pump, a jammed impeller or an electronic issue such as a bad timer, door switch or control.
- A faulty check valve designed to prevent backflow into the appliance can prevent your dishwasher from draining completely.
- Food, grease and other particles can clog your dishwasher's drain hose. If the line becomes kinked, it will prevent the appliance from draining and can cause an overflow.
- The appliance timer is the brains behind a dishwasher's operation. When the timer fails, all sorts of malfunctions can occur, including drainage problems.
- A dishwasher drains through the sink drain via the garbage disposal. A clogged sink drain will prevent the dishwasher from draining correctly.
Leaking Dishwasher
A leaking dishwasher is not a good thing. The water can lead to all sorts of problems within your home with the most notable damage to your kitchen cabinets and flooring. Even a small leak can cause significant damage in these areas as well as inviting mold and mildew growth.
- A malfunctioning pump or seal may be the root of the problem. Most dishwasher pumps are responsible for circulating the water during both the wash and drain cycle. The pump attaches to the bottom of the dishwasher tub which includes a rubber seal to prevent leakage. Age and the abusive nature of dishwasher detergents can damage this gasket and create the leak.
- The vinyl or rubber seal around the dishwasher door is another common area that ccan develop a leak. The soft and pliable gasket is designed to create a watertight seal when the door is shut and latched. Water leaking around the door is a sure sign the gasket has failed.
When your dishwasher goes on the blink, chances are you will need the services of a professional plumbing contractor to fix it. For answers to your questions, contact The Pink Plumber today.
