6 Reasons Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain

Most families rely on their dishwasher to take the dirty job of washing dishes (literally) off their hands. So, when your dishwasher isn’t draining, leaks, or otherwise isn’t working as well as it should, you need a repair expert who can fix it fast.

At Comfort Appliance, we provide expert dishwasher repair services for customers in Conyers, Snellville, Lawrenceville, McDonough, Atlanta, and surrounding communities. We have seen the full spectrum of dishwasher issues, but a unit that holds water after the cleaning cycle is complete is one of the most common calls we get.

If your dishwasher doesn’t drain or leaks water, we can help. Read on to understand why your dishwasher might be acting this way, then give Comfort Appliance a ring with questions or to schedule a service call.

6 Reasons Why Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain

The main reason your dishwasher won’t drain is almost certainly due to a blockage somewhere in the system. There are several places this can happen:

• Filter layers. The first layer of defense against a blockage are two filters located in the bottom of the inside of the dishwasher. One layer is designed to collect small debris particles while the second catches the big stuff. These filters are meant to be cleaned by the user on a regular basis – usually once a month. However, many people forget to do this chore or don’t know they have to do it in the first place. If your dishwasher isn’t draining water, remove the filter and clean it in your sink using hot water, a little dish soap, and a scrub brush. If you notice holes or tears in the filter, call the manufacturer (if the unit is under warranty) or Comfort Appliance to get a replacement.
• Float assembly. This is the component responsible for controlling the water levels within the dishwasher unit and when it malfunctions, water might remain in the unit after the cleaning cycle has completed. To fix this issue, we take a look at the float assembly to gauge whether it is working properly. If it is not, we remove any and all debris that might be getting in its way. If the actual piece is broken, we will replace it.
• Inlet sump. When the filters in the bottom of the dishwasher interior don’t catch debris, it travels to the inlet sump. The inlet sump is designed to hold water for use by the pump, but debris can block the movement of the sump’s impeller, meaning water is not driven out of the sump and backs up in the unit. To fix this issue, we thoroughly clean out the sump and any pathways to and from it to ensure the impeller is unobstructed and can effectively move water out of the sump.
• Drain hose. Debris that moves past the filters and through the sump might end up clogged in the drain hose. Oftentimes, the clog is made up of grease and fat that liquified during the cleaning cycle and slipped through the filter and sump only to solidify once it reached the drain hose. A blocked drain hose means water cannot drain out and away from the dishwasher unit and will back up. The fix for this is relatively simple and involves accessing the drain hose and snaking it to remove the clog.
• Air gap. Many dishwashers today have what’s called an air gap, installed on the adjoining sink, that works to prevent backflow of water in the drain hose. The pieces of the air gap can collect debris over time and the air gap itself can clog, causing water to back up into the unit. If your dishwasher has an air gap and is holding water, try checking the air gap by removing the cover and clearing away any debris buildup.

If your dishwasher is new, it likely has a built-in mechanism that automatically stops the cleaning cycle if water isn’t draining the way it is supposed to. Older dishwashers may not have this function, which can lead to a major leakage issue. If your older dishwasher is leaking, one of the issues above may be the reason why. No matter what’s going on with your dishwasher, Comfort Appliance can help.

Dishwasher repair in Conyers, Grayson, Stockbridge, & McDonough

At Comfort Appliance, we provide expert service on all dishwasher brands, including Amana dishwasher repair, Blomberg dishwasher repair, Dacor dishwasher repair, Electrolux dishwasher repair, Fisher & Paykel dishwasher repair, GE dishwasher repair, Kenmore dishwasher repair, Maytag dishwasher repair, LG dishwasher repair, Ikea dishwasher repair, Frigidaire dishwasher repair, Beko dishwasher repair, Whirlpool dishwasher repair, Samsung dishwasher repair, Jenn-Air dishwasher repair, KitchenAid dishwasher repair, Miele dishwasher repair, and others.

If need an appliance repaired, call Comfort Appliance today. We are your dishwasher repair experts!