Have you ever opened the door of the dishwasher and found a lot of stagnant water at the bottom? The first concern that comes to mind is what to do. Perhaps some of us are upset and panicked and see no way out but to dial the phone number of the repair agency. Since you may face this issue frequently, it is better to know how to fix this “little problem” on your own.
Before you drain your dishwasher, you need to follow a few substantial steps to make your job easier and to follow safety precautions:
- Pull all tableware out from the dishwashing machine, away from the drainage of water. Put sharp objects like cutlery in a safe place so that your children do not get hurt.
- Put enough rags around the machine itself and even more so around open hoses to prevent the flood.
- Be sure to disconnect the dishwashing machine from the power supply, find the water line under the sink that connects to your machine, and unplug it.
If you doubt that your dishwashing machine has another issue, you should call a home appliance repair technician.
Let’s have a look at the ways you can drain your dishwasher on your own.
How can you drain your dishwasher?
Step 1 – Collecting water on the surface of the dishwasher
Start by scooping up any stagnant water in the dishwasher that you see with cups by pouring out the dirty water into a bucket. When there is very little water left, and it will no longer be convenient to scoop it up, blot the remaining liquid with a sponge, rags, or towel.Step 2 – Cleaning the drain hose
The drain hose is the pipe that connects the dishwasher to the disposal and is located either under your sink or behind the dishwasher. Use tools to detach the hose from the dishwasher; place a jar or bucket under the hose, as residual dirty water may spill out of it. To clean the hose itself, use either special detergents to clean the blockages or unclog the blockages using a wire (for example, from under a hanger).Step 3 – Check the drain hose on the side where it is connected to the dishwasher
Disconnect the drain hose from the side of your dishwasher by placing a bucket under it – so that dirty water from it does not flow onto your floor. Inspect the hose for kinks and stuck debris, then rinse with water. You can use any blockage cleaner or wire. After cleaning the drain hose, screw it back in place.Step 4 – Clean your dishwasher filter
Disconnect the filter cylinder from the bottom of your dishwasher by turning it counterclockwise upwards. Many modern dishwashers have filters. However, if you are unsure about their availability, check this information by reading the manual that came with your machine or finding it on the Internet. Next, remove the coarse filter – if you have one. The coarse filter is a metal plate held in place by a cylindrical filter. Inspect the hole for the filter carefully for debris. Clean the filters with hot water and detergent, then put the filters back in their place.Final step – Check drain valve
Find the drain valve for your machine, which should be on the front panel next to the motor. It consists of a shutter lever and a solenoid.- First, check the bolt lever for free movement and also inspect both of its springs to make sure they are in place.
- Check the solenoid, which is usually connected by two leads that you need to carefully disconnect. Check the solenoid with a multimeter, which you need to set to a value around Ohm X1. By placing the multitester sensors on the solenoid, compare its reading with the norm (40 ohms).
- Check the motor for rotation: if it does not rotate, replace the motor.
Why Atlas Home Experts?
Undoubtedly, everyone wants their household appliances to serve as long as possible and help with daily household chores. Therefore, the breakdown of appliances can spoil the mood and make you cancel plans and extra expenditures. Don’t panic!
Our company has been repairing household appliances in Texas homes for several years. Experienced staff will definitely fix all the breakdowns for a reasonable price.
In one visit, we can repair everything you need, from household appliances to electrical and gas appliances in your home.
To learn more about our services, please visit our website. Pay special attention to our services tabs, where you can see the list of home appliances we repair. If you want to try to fix the device on your own, get familiar with our blog tab – some recommendations and expert advice may come in handy.
FAQ
What are the most common causes of stagnant water in the dishwashing machine?
Most often, this happens as a result of blockages in the filter, garbage chute, or drain hose. Remains of food from the dishes or other small objects and fragments get stuck in the dead parts of the machine and lead to stagnation of water at its bottom.
Should water be collected at the bottom of the machine?
A small amount of water (about a couple of cups) normally accumulates at the bottom of the dishwasher. When the water exceeds the norma, it results in blockages or malfunctions of machine parts.
Can I start the dishwashing machine if there is stagnant water in the bottom of the dishwasher?
The remaining water at the bottom of the machine indicates that something is wrong with the appliance. Normally, no more than two cups of water should remain at the bottom of your dishwasher. If there is more water left, this indicates either a malfunction of any parts in the machine, a clogged pipe, or a dishwasher filter.
How much does it cost to replace the drain hose?
This service may cost you about $150, and in some cases – about $400-600. It all depends on your dishwasher model, the hose you choose, and your budget.
