9 Steps to Drain a Dishwasher with Standing Water

There’s nothing worse than spending time washing the dishes, and when you are finally ready to put them in the dishwasher, it’s all clogged up. So, how do you effectively drain a dishwasher with minimal effort and time?

This article will guide you through an easy step-by-step guide to unclogging your dishwasher. If these steps do not solve your problem, you can call an appliance repair company in your area to come and do a more thorough cleaning and inspection,

How to Drain Your Dishwasher

  1. Prepare Your Dishwasher

Remove the bottom dishwasher rack and dish trays.  An empty dishwasher will also help your hands reach the machine without hindrance.

To prepare your dishwasher for drainage, take out everything from it, including plates, silverware, knives, etc. Doing so will help you see clearly through the dirty water and avoid harming yourself with any of the utensils. 

  1. Turn Off the Dishwasher

Disconnect the line to the dishwasher and turn off the electricity supply.  Besides the dishwasher, also turn off the electricity to the garbage disposal. You must ensure that all the electric supplies are turned off to avoid any electrical hazards while draining the dishwasher.   

Additionally, shut the water supply to the dishwasher as well so the drainage goes smoothly. Turn off the lower valve under the sink that leads to the dishwasher. This will prevent the entry of more water until you have completely removed the dirty water.

  1. Cover the Floor

Cover your floor with towels and clothes, so the dirty water does not accumulate on the floor and damage any part of your house.

It will also reduce the chances of accidents, such as slipping.

  1. Remove the Stagnant Water

You can use containers, like cups and jugs, to transfer the water into the sink drain. A few rounds will be enough to get the water out of your dishwasher. Use towels and new cloth pieces to soak the last bits of water from the dishwasher.

  1. Clean the Water Filter

Now, clean the cylindrical filter at the bottom of the dishwasher on the inner side. Remove the filter from its housing.

Check the instruction manual to see if your dishwasher has a coarse filter. If yes, remove the coarse filter according to the removal instructions. 

Next, inspect the sump for any food debris and clean it properly. The sump is the hole leading into the drain hose. 

Lastly, clean the filters with hot water in the sink after scrubbing them properly so that any bits of food are removed. Reinstall the filters once dry.

  1. Check the Drain Hose

It is necessary to clean the drain hose because it links the dishwasher with the garbage disposal. Carefully slide out the dishwasher to access it.

You can remove the drain hose clamps with pliers. Look for any bends or kinks in the hose and correct them, so the water flows smoothly. 

Next, run high-pressure water into the drain hose pipe to remove any blockage. Place any container beneath the ends of the pipe to collect dirty water and pieces of food.

You can also use a flexible brush to clean it from the inside. Reattach the hose when you are done cleaning.

  1. Check the Drain Valve

Clean the drain valve located underneath the dishwasher. It has a gate arm with two springs attached. If either of the springs is broken, replace it and then reinstall the drain valve into the dishwasher.

  1. Spin the Motor Manually

The dishwasher has a rotating blade inside. If the motor is stuck, turn it manually and see if the water starts to drain. Keep spinning until all the water has left the dishwasher.

  1. Turn on the Dishwasher

Once you have assembled all the parts back according to the installation instructions, plug back the dishwasher into the electric socket and turn it on. The dishwasher should be draining fine now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is There Water Left in the Bottom of My Dishwasher?

If you see any water left in the bottom of your dishwasher, there may be a clog in the filters, drain hose, drain pump, or garbage disposal. You can unassemble the dishwasher parts according to the detailed instructions and then clean them properly.

Air gaps can also cause water pooling in the bottom of the dishwasher. Removing food debris from the dishwasher can help resolve this issue.

Why Is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

If your dishwasher is not draining smoothly, the garbage disposal may be clogged. You need to clean it and remove the garbage.

If the issue persists, you should check other dishwasher parts for clogging. Get rid of the buildup to resume proper drainage in the dishwasher.

How Do You Drain a Dishwasher That Won’t Drain?

To drain a dishwasher that is not draining, remove its parts, including the drain hose, garbage disposal drain, and filters. Clean the parts in the dishwasher sink with regular dish soap to effectively clean the debris. Place the parts back and your dishwasher should start to drain.

Is Standing Water In the Dishwasher Normal?

No, standing water in the dishwasher is not normal. Stagnant dirty water means there is clogging in your dishwasher and you should get rid of it to resume normal dishwasher drainage. 

How Do You Check if Your Dishwasher Is Clogged?

There are certain signs you will see in your dishwasher that are indicative of clogging, including: 

  • Slow drainage from the dishwasher sink.
  • Gurgling sounds when the water is draining.
  • Water levels rise in the dishwasher whenever you use it.
  • Water returns to the dishwasher after the cycle is complete.
  • The dishes are not cleaned properly.
  • Water leakage from the dishwasher.

Like this article?

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Share on Pinterest

Leave a comment