How To Unclog/Unblock a Dishwasher Drain

In 2021, 24.9% of the dishwashers currently on sale in Australia, used up to 11 litres of water, while the majority used 9 to 13 litres of water.

Dishwashers make it easier to clean glass, plates, bowls, and other dishes without getting your hands wet, dirty, and gnarled. 

However, there are circumstances the least we expect when the whole machine suddenly stops running, which could be due to a clogged drain. 

You don’t have to deal with your clogged dishwasher alone. Contact our Link Plumbing professional plumber at 0412 056 027 to get the job done for you – more efficiently and precisely in no time.  

Common Signs of Dishwasher Drain Clogging

Several factors contribute to a blocked dishwasher drain, such as human negligence and natural disasters, resulting in numerous problems not bargained for. Issues may range from a water overflow to insufficiently cleaned dishes. 

If you’re noticing these unusual things, it means you have a clogged dishwasher and it’s not draining properly. Check out these signs which could mean a blocked dishwasher drain:

Standing Water: Water that stays at the bottom of the dishwasher after the cycle completion is one of the most common signs of a blocked drain.

Slow Drainage: If you find the water draining more slowly than usual, then this may indicate a partially clogged drain or hose.

Gurgling Sounds: While on the drain status, you might hear a gurgling or humming sound from the dishwasher which is an indication of a blocked dishwasher drain.

Dishes Are Still Dirty or Left with a Residue: Dishes were not thoroughly cleaned and were left with residues such as oil, grease, food scraps, and soap. This indicates that dirty water won’t drain and get sprayed back onto your dishes. 

Water Backing Up: If the water drains, it backs up into the sink, it can be a sign that there is some clog in the drain line, down which the waste from both the dishwasher and sink drain. It also means that some kind of obstruction is right before the drain.

Odours: A bad smell from the dishwasher is due to the remains of food debris and other particles clogged in the drain, where bacteria will start growing.

Error Codes: Most modern dishwashers have error codes on their control panel, which help users understand and identify the particular problem. Check your owner’s manual for any such error code indicating problems with the drain not draining properly.

Water Leakage: Water leakage from the dishwasher door or at the bottom of your dishwasher in some cases can be due to inadequate drainage, which results in overflow.

How to Unclog Dishwasher Drain (Step-by-Step Guide)

Fixing a dishwasher blockage using home remedies can be done in a few steps. Remember that safety comes first, so, initially, you must unplug the dishwasher to prevent electrocution or injury before you unclog your dishwasher.

Step 1. Turn off the water supply and remove dishes, glass, utensils, and dishwasher racks from the dishwasher. 

Step 2. Repeating the cycle allows you to identify if the culprit is a clogged dishwasher drain, especially if someone accidentally opened the machine before the cleaning cycle has finished.

Step 3. Employing a natural fix such as equal parts of baking soda and vinegar. Pour one cup of baking soda into the standing water at the bottom of your dishwasher and then followed by one cup of white vinegar. 

Leave it for around 20 minutes. Once the baking soda and vinegar mixture drains, pour some hot water and try re-running the rinse cycle.   

Step 4. Remove any standing water accumulating at the bottom of the dishwasher with a cup or bowl. Wipe with a clean old towel to get rid of dampness, moisture, or remaining water.

Step 5. Take out the dishwasher’s filter and clean it with warm, soapy water to remove any waste or scraps. Make sure to clean it thoroughly before putting it back into the dishwasher. 

Step 6. Clean the dishwasher’s air gap, if there’s any. If your dishwasher has an air gap,  remove any debris and use an old toothbrush or soft bristle brush to clean it. 

Step 6. Try reconnecting your dishwasher to its power source and running the rinse cycle to check if you have fixed the dishwasher blocked by food particles and other debris.

If the issue persists after following the step-by-step instructions, it’s time for you to contact our skilled and licensed plumber at 0412 056 027 to locate the problem and have it fixed immediately. 

Tips to Prevent a Clogged Dishwasher Drain

Regular maintenance plus good practices make a well-performing dishwasher. These tips will help you achieve a dishwasher that is free from clogs and saves you money at the same time.

Expert Market Research notes that in Australia, the standard measurement of a dishwasher is usually 600 mm wide, 600 mm deep, and 820 mm high. It could fit into the average kitchen with a size of 4.3m x 3.4m. 

Remove any debris from your soiled dishes. Thoroughly rinsing and scraping your dirty dishes helps clear away bigger pieces of food debris to prevent clogs. 

Check your dishwasher regularly, including the drain hose. Checking them enables you to identify if they are working properly. It should be cleaned if you find it clogged with debris before running another cycle.

Regularly clean your dishwasher. Clean your dishwasher once a month, including the dishwasher filter.

According to Statista, the Australian dishwashing machine market is expected to project this 2024 with a revenue of US$0.39bn.

Hot water cycle. Running a hot cycle regularly will help loosen any buildup of debris.

Run the dishwasher once in a while. If you don’t use your dishwasher for some time, it won’t perform quite as well. Running it at least once a week would be fine to keep them functioning properly. 

Routine check and clean the garbage disposal. If the garbage disposal is where your dishwasher drains, make sure to clean it regularly to prevent clogging issues in the future. 

Wash the spray arms. Cleaning the spray arms makes it clog-free from food particles and mineral deposits. A clean sprayer arm helps ensure proper water flow and cleaning capabilities.  

Conclusion 

You can unclog a dishwasher on your own. However, it would be best if you consult a qualified plumber to identify any other underlying problems that caused blocked dishwasher drains. 

Addressing the issue earlier makes it easier to fix and if left untreated may result in costly repairs.

At Link Plumbing, our friendly and expert plumbers can locate the source of your dishwasher drainage blockage issue. We can make your dishwasher drains drain properly like they used to. We get paid by the job and not by the hour to ensure a quality job. 

Call us today at 0412 056 027 and let our highly-trained team take care of your clogged drain issues.