Dishwashers have made our work in the kitchen much easier. You don’t have to spend many hours standing in the kitchen sink washing dirty dishes, all you need to do is load them into the dishwasher and let it do the rest. However, the dishwasher handles a lot of residues which can clog the hose drain causing serious problems if it is not fixed on time. If you have noticed that there is a pool of grimy and soapy water at the bottom of the dishwasher, then that is a clear sign that your dishwasher drain has clogged. Fortunately, unclogging the dishwasher drain is a simple process that will only take you a few minutes. In this article, we will give you a step by step process on how to unclog a dishwasher drain line.
Step 1: Empty the dishwasher
Before you do anything else, start by emptying the dishwasher. If you had loaded dishes in the machine, gently remove them all and store them in a safe place. Emptying the dishwasher will make it much easier to unclog the drain line. It will also prevent the chance of damaging the dishwasher and your dishes. Also remove all the racks, including the bottom one to make it easy to access the drain line.
Step 2: Unplug the dishwasher from the wall socket
Once you have removed all dishes from the dishwasher, the next step is to unplug it from the wall socket. This is a very important step that most people usually overlook. If you fail to disconnect your dishwasher from the wall socket then you risk being electrocuted while unclogging the drain line. Electrocution can result in serious injuries that could be fatal. Your safety comes above everything else. So, make sure you unplug the dishwasher before you start unblocking the drain line.
Step 3: Drain stagnant water in the dishwasher
You will discover that there is a lot of stagnant water in the dishwasher. This is because the drain line is clogged, thus making it difficult for the machine to drain water. Remove all stagnant water from the dishwasher then dry all moisture using a dry dish towel. This process will not only make it easy to fix the clogged drain line but it will also protect you from slips and falls when unclogging the drain line.
Step 4: Check the drain hose line
Now that your working environment is safe, it’s time to get to the main problem. The drain hose is responsible for draining waste from the dishwasher to the sewer line. If it is clogged, then your machine will not be able to get rid of wastes generated for the cleaning process. Inspect the drain hose to see if it is clogged. If yes, pull your dishwasher from the wall to make it easy to access the drain hose line.
Step 5: Remove the drain line to unclog it
Once you have access to the drain hose line, disconnect it from the dishwasher. Use a plier to loosen the drain hose screws to make the removal process easy. Place a dish bowl under the drain hose to trap water that spills. Once you have disconnected the drain hose from the dishwasher, it is now time to remove all debris that has clogged the drain line. This process is simple; all you need to do is use a commercial declogger to get rid of all debris that has stuck inside the drain line. If you don’t have this equipment, use a hanger wire to unclog the drain line.
Step 6: Inspect the dishwasher drain
If you notice that the drain hose does not have sufficient debris to block the line, the problem could be in the dishwasher drain. Check the dishwasher drain to see if it is clogged. The dishwasher drain is a basket-shaped device located at the bottom side of the dishwasher. Remove the dishwasher drain using a screwdriver then use a declogging tool to remove all debris that has stuck inside.
Step 7: Reassemble all parts
Once you have fixed the problem, the final step is to reassemble all parts. Start by installing the drain hose line and dishwasher drain. Use the screwdriver to secure them tightly in place. Return the dishwasher back to its place then install the racks. Complete the reassembly process by connecting the dishwasher to the power supply. Once you are done, load it with dishes, select the right cycle then press start to begin the cleaning process. Inspect the dishwasher keenly to see if it drains waste materials properly. If it works perfectly, then the problem is fixed. If the problem persists, then it means that your dishwasher has a bigger problem that can only be fixed by a professional.
Can hot water unclog my dishwasher drain line?
YES, hot water can unclog the dishwasher drain line but only if the problem is not very serious. Before you attempt the unclogging method given above, you should try the boiling water method to see if it will unblock the drain line. It is a very simple process that will take you a few minutes to complete. All you need to do is boil water and then pour it into the drain line. If water stands, give it time to cool before draining it and trying again. Sometimes you have to repeat the process several times before you get the result you are looking for.
Can I unclog my dishwasher with vinegar?
YES, you can also unclog the dishwasher using vinegar solution, hot water, and baking soda. Pour a cup of baking soda into the basket then add a cup of vinegar solution. Let the solution sit for about 20 minutes then power hot water into the basket. Give it time to see if it unclogs the drain.
Final thoughts
Unclogging a dishwasher drain line is a simple process that you can do on your own. Doesn’t matter your dishwasher have single drawer dishwasher or double drawer dishwasher. The only tool you need is a plier to loosen the screws holding the drain line. However, if the process given above does not work, you should call a professional immediately to fix the problem. Experts have the right skills and tools and will diagnose the root cause of the problem and fit it quickly.
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