As the owner of Appliance Repairs Centre, with over 38 years of experience servicing appliances in the Pretoria area, I often get calls from homeowners concerned that their dishwasher isn’t draining properly. This can be a frustrating issue, leaving you with pools of standing water in your dishwasher and clean dishes that never seem to dry.
The good news is, in most cases the fix is simple – identifying and clearing a basic drain clog. Other times, a malfunctioning part like the pump, float switch, or check valve is to blame. At Appliance Repairs Centre, our expert technicians have seen it all when it comes to dishwasher drainage problems. We know how to diagnose the issue and make the necessary repairs to get your dishwasher draining smoothly once again.
Common Causes of Dishwasher Drain Problems
Based on my decades of appliance repair experience, these are the most common culprits behind a dishwasher that won’t drain:
Clogged or Kinked Drain Hose
Over time, small food particles and grease can build up inside the drain hose, which connects your dishwasher to the sink drain pipe. If enough debris accumulates, it can obstruct water from emptying out of the dishwasher. Also check that the hose isn’t kinked or tightly bent – this can block drainage too.
Clogged Pump Filter
Your dishwasher pump filter screens out larger pieces of food debris before they reach the drain hose. This filter needs periodic cleaning, otherwise drain flow will slow.
Faulty Drain Pump
The drain pump is responsible for pushing water out of the dishwasher through the drain hose. A worn or failing pump may spin slower, reducing draining capability over time.
Malfunctioning Float Switch
A small float switch actuates to signal when the dishwasher tub has emptied of water. If this switch sticks or fails, your dishwasher could overflow.
Stuck Check Valve
A check valve located along the drain hose prevents dirty sink water flowing back into a clean dishwasher. But debris can lodge under the valve flap, blocking proper drainage.
Diagnosing the Cause of a Drain Issue
When your dishwasher won’t drain completely, the first step is gathering clues before attempting repairs on your own. Here are some things to check:
- Water left standing in the tub – If water remains pooled inside even when the cycle finishes, a clog or drainage system issue is likely to blame.
- Backed up sink – A simultaneous sink clog could point to a shared drainage line problem.
- Cycle behavior – An unfinished cycle, error codes, or unusual sounds can indicate issues with components like the pump or float switch.
Figuring out whether the root cause is a simple clog vs an internal part failure will determine the repair approach. Our technicians have specialized knowledge to quickly diagnose dishwasher drainage problems based on decades of experience with all major brands and models.
FAQ – Dishwasher Drainage Repairs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions we receive about fixing dishwasher drainage problems:
Can I snake my dishwasher drain myself?
It’s possible to detach the drain line from under your sink and attempt snaking it to clear a clog. However this takes some DIY plumbing skills. Additionally, an internal component issue would require a technician visit either way.
How long does dishwasher drain repair take?
An experienced appliance repair tech can usually diagnose and clear simple drain clogs within an hour visit. Replacing complex parts often takes 1-2 hours including diagnosis, sourcing parts, and installation. More extensive repairs could take longer.
Trust Appliance Repairs Centre For Specialized Service
While some common dishwasher drainage fixes seem straightforward, it’s easy to misdiagnose problems and order the wrong replacement parts if you aren’t intimately familiar with appliance repair. As specialists with nearly 4 decades of experience, Appliance Repairs Centre knows exactly how to assess issues and carry out repairs accurately and efficiently.
We even offer a same-day emergency visit for pressing dishwasher problems – including drainage failures that are keeping your dishes from getting clean. With 24/7 availability, you can count on our dishwasher repair technicians in Pretoria whenever drainage problems arise.
