DIY Home Guide for Clogged Dishwasher

Many people keep themselves dependent on professional help to unclog a dishwasher because they don’t know the real trick to fix the draining problem. Few might possibly don’t want to take the risk to make DIY unclogging the dishwasher because they think the DIY unclogging could lead to a completely dysfunctional dishwasher. You should not need to be worried any further! Here, you will learn a simple way to get rid of your dishwasher draining problems. Just keep reading!

Have you experienced a situation when you open the dishwasher while aiming to auto clean your dishes but subsequently get shocked by looking at soapy water inside the machine? Hey, stop worrying about this! A clogged dishwasher does not necessarily require professional help. Mostly, this is much easier and everybody can do it. Before going ahead, let’s know the symptoms of a clogged dishwasher drain hose.

How do you know when your dishwasher drain hose is clogged?

Every disease shows some symptoms. Similarly, if you see any of the following symptoms in your dishwasher, it is a clear indication that your dishwasher drain is clogged:

●      The dishwasher is not completing the full wash cycle – normally 2 to 4 hours. Instead of making a complete wash, it keeps shutting down.

●      You kept seeing some water at the bottom, near the draining system.

●      Some bits of food and garbage are stuck in the filter

As a result, the waster inside the machine is not draining properly due to a clog building in the drain hose.

Main Causes of Dishwasher Problems

Dysfunctional pump: The improper functioning of the pump may be due to the accumulation of debris. An appropriate replacement of the problem-causing part of the pump may solve your dishwasher problems.

Timer Issue: The timer triggers the response to complete the washing cycle at an appropriate time. However, the timer sometimes fails to trigger, and as a result, the machine keeps washing. Or sometimes, the timer triggers frequently and interrupts the washing. This rare instant may require some professional help to keep the timer working fine, or replace it to get rid of the fault functioning.

Fault in the Draining Motor: Check if the motor is not working properly, and then replace it. The motor companies sometimes provide their expert service services. 

Valve need Replacement: Some dishwashers have a valve to drain out the water. If this causes some disturbance, then the valve needs replacement. 

Prepare your Dishwasher for unclogging

●      Remove all dishes and kitchenware, if any, from the machine.

●      Double check your dishwasher is turned off.

●      Remove the standing water with the towel or cotton fabric.

●      Get all required tools such as towel/cotton fabric, vinegar, baking soda, boiling water, screwdriver etc.

 Try Homemade Cleaner – Apply simple tricks before making a deep cleaning

First, try a simple homemade solution made of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water to unclog the drainage system of your dishwasher. Simply, put down the solution of vinegar and baking soda at the bottom of the dishwasher after removing the standing water with the cotton fabric, or towel. Apply it for at least 15 minutes, and then pour down the boiling hot water into the bottom of the dishwasher. Check whether this trick has solved your dishwasher issue or you need to make a deep cleaning by opening the dishwasher further. 

How to Unclog Dishwasher

1. The drain hose is, basically, the tube that connects the dishwasher with the garbage disposal. You can spot the hose beneath your sink or on the back of your dishwasher. In the latter case, when the hose is behind the dishwasher, remove the lower spray arm with clips arm by hand. After that, remove the filter by pulling it up, and check whether the hose is clear.

2. Disconnect the hose from the machine. You can do so simply by removing the clamps with the help of the screwdriver. Once the hose is removed, check the accumulated food and particles if any, and wash it properly with some commercial declogger because this may prevent water from passing through. 

3. In most dishwasher machines, the water draining from your dishwasher is done by garbage disposal. So, in this scenario, keeping garbage disposal clean all the time is crucial to get rid of most of the dishwasher problems. Basically, garbage disposal which is full can block the water from passing through the draining system and keep it standing in your dishwasher. 

4. In some dishwashers, you have an air gap on top of the sink, next to your faucet that might look like a soft dispenser but it is not. Remove the cap and verify if there’s any food stuck in there. Clean it with the help of a screwdriver. 

5. Do reverse engineering to place all the things back in the reverse order as these were removed. That’s it!

Who said, “You cannot solve dishwasher problems”? Isn’t it that simple how to unclog the dishwasher? Don’t rush to ask for professional help at the first instant. DIY problem solving is such a handy practice that makes you feel proud being a master of all!

My DIY Decor is your best problem-solving blog where you can read simple tips to make many of your home projects by yourself. You can save a huge amount of money by doing the same work as done by a professional who charges a huge fee. Be your own professional at home, and do it by yourself. Even if you ask for professional help, you should know the problem, and the root cause of that problem so the professional cannot charge more than an appropriate amount. 

 Guest Contributor: Faisal Malik