Fixing Dishwasher Drain Problems

Check in this order

1. Filter. Remove the lower rack, twist out the filter and rinse it. Food and grease collect here.
2. Drain hose. Look under the sink for kinks or a crushed section.
3. Air gap. If your sink has a little chrome dome next to the faucet, remove the cover and clean out the debris.
4. Disposal. If the dishwasher drains into a new disposal, the knockout plug may still be in place.

Drain loop

The hose should loop up high under the counter or connect to an air gap, so dirty sink water cannot flow back into the dishwasher. If the hose runs flat along the cabinet floor, raise it.

Sink drain clogs

If the kitchen sink also drains slowly, the problem is in the shared drain. Clear the trap and the wall arm or see kitchen drain cleaning.

When to call

If the dishwasher still will not drain after these checks, the drain pump may be at fault. If the drain hose is in good shape but the sink drain is blocked further in, call us.

Checking the drain pump

If the filter, hose and air gap are all clear, unplug the machine or switch off its breaker, remove the filter housing and look down into the sump. A shard of glass, a cherry pit or a twist tie can jam the pump impeller. Pull it out with tongs, never fingers. A pump that hums but still will not empty after that has likely failed and needs a replacement part from the appliance maker.

Also look at how the hose meets the sink tailpiece or disposal. A hose clamp that has slipped lets water drip into the cabinet every cycle.

Ready when you are. One call, a real plumber, an arrival window.