How to De-Clog a Dishwasher in 5 Easy Steps

Your handy dandy dishwasher should be draining down all of the sudsy water, not your spirits. If your dishwasher is clogged up for whatever reason, there’s certainly a cause – one that can be remedied and often with a little bit of elbow grease. Here are five easy steps to de-clog a dishwasher:

1. Prepare the Dishwasher for a Good Deep Clean

You don’t need to get busy deep cleaning your dishwasher for a clog, but you’ll need to remove dishes and racks to have easy access anyway, so why not kill two birds with one stone? In any case, the point is that you’ll want to remove all dirty dishes and then the racks before getting down into the machine (just your hands will do).

2. Turn Off the Dishwasher

Yes, it sounds obvious, but it’s just so important to avoid any potential mixture of electricity and water (not recommended). Ensure that the dishwasher is completely turned off and unplug it from the electrical socket before commencing any work.

3. Mop/Absorb Water

A clogged dishwasher will leave behind stagnant water which needs to be removed. Whether it’s a little puddling around the drain or it’s splashed out of the machine and onto the floor, stagnant water isn’t something you want in your home or dishwasher so mop it up if it’s splashed onto the floor and soak it up with a towel or two if it’s inside of the machine.

4. Inspect Drain and Drain Hose for Blockages

Most clogs either come from a blockage at the drain itself or in the drain hose. Once the dishwasher is dry, inspect the drain proper for any obstructions (food chunks, fat/grease, objects lodged in the drain hole) and remove them with a soft-bristled brush.

Next, inspect the drain hose for any blockages. The drain hose connects the dishwasher to the P-trap of the sink, but many installations incorrectly attach the drain hose after the P-trap, which is incorrect and introduces the possibility of sewer gases running back up into the dishwasher (not something you’d really want). Ensure that the drain hose is connected before the P-trap and that the drain hose forms a ‘high loop’ (an upside-down U shape) or has an appropriate air gap.

In any case, inspect the drain hose visually. Using a long brush, wipe around the edges as blockages may be present inside of the hose itself. Reattach the drain hose as described above and try running the machine to see if the problem has been resolved.

5. Ring an Appliance Repairman

If you’ve tried all of the above, you could attempt running an empty load using vinegar and baking soda to knock away small chunks of grease or debris. Usually when these tricks just won’t unclog the dishwasher, however, a reputable professional should be called in to keep your dishwasher in good working order. Not only will this keep your lovely dishwasher working as it should, but it’ll also save you lots of headaches cleaning up stagnant water.

Domestic Appliance Repair

Get in touch with Domestic Appliance Repair today if your dishwasher or other household white goods just aren’t working like they should. Our professional repairmen carry the right tools, techniques, and compatible parts for a wide range of household appliances to keep them working for years to come.

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