Dishwashers have become an important convenience in our lives. We load up the day's dishes, run a cleaning cycle, and spend the next hour doing other tasks. It's so simple that we often take a dishwasher for granted - until it suddenly stops working. In this article you will find out what the signs and causes are that your dishwasher is clogged, what you can do about it and when it is time to call a professional.
Signs that your dishwasher is clogged
Here's what the main indicators are that your dishwasher is clogged.
- You hear gurgling noises:Unusual gurgling, shaking, or thumping noises while your dishwasher is running may indicate that water is trying to overcome a blockage in your main or secondary sewer line.
- Your dishwasher is backing up water in your sink:The dishwasher is connected to the kitchen sink drainage system. If it is running and water is backing up into the sink, the dishwasher may be clogged. You can avoid a blockage if you run your trash chute while the flusher is turned off. It may be food caught in the sink, which means there are no problems with your dishwasher.
- You notice slow draining in your dishwasher:If you notice water backing up at the bottom of your dishwasher or in the sink, you probably have a blockage or partial blockage in your kitchen sewer line. Clear the partial clog as quickly as possible to prevent it from becoming an even more costly problem.
- You see water backing up in the dishwasher after the wash cycle:Standing water in your dishwasher after a cycle means it isn't draining properly. This is because leftover food clogs the drainage system. Check your dishwasher and clean the drain basket. If this doesn't solve the problem, you may have a clog in the drain.
- Your dishes are not cleaned:It is possible that the dishwasher is not filling with water if your dishes are still dirty after the cycle is finished. This is caused by a blockage in your main or secondary sewer line.
- Your dishwasher smells:If your dishwasher gives off a bad smell, a clogged filter basket is often to blame.
Your dishwasher is clogged – Possible reasons & what you can do
Here are possible reasons why your dishwasher is clogged.
Interesting facts! Washing dishes by hand uses 4-5 times more water than washing dishes in the dishwasher. This affects both nature and your household bills. Of course, there was a time when dishwashers used a lot more water, but if your dishwasher was manufactured after 2013, water consumption is limited to 19 liters.
Clogged filter basket & drain hose
Your dishwasher has a filter basket in the drain that prevents food and other items from entering the pipes. You should clean the filter basket regularly so that the dishes come out sparkling clean. If you have hard water issues, you may need to soak the drain basket in a little vinegar to remove the buildup. This prevents the holes in your dishwasher's filter basket from becoming clogged.
Clogged drain hose:Your dishwasher drains via a hose that can be connected to your kitchen sink drain or garbage chute. Mud can build up inside the drain hose, causing backups and blockages. Cleaning the drain hose and other drain pipes under your sink can help clear the clog if they are the cause of your drainage problems.
What home remedies can you use to clean your dishwasher and get it back in tip-top shape?Find out here!
Blocked drains & spray bars
Your flusher may not drain properly if there is a clogged drain further down the drain. However, if you have more than one clogged drain in your home, or if water backs up into the sink when you drain your dishwasher, you may have a more serious clog that has nothing to do with your dishwasher.
Clogged spray bars:Sometimes unclean dishes can be due to the spray bars or spray arms becoming clogged with food particles. Both the top and bottom spray bars tend to collect and hold onto food particles.
Garbage disposal or broken sewer pipe
A newly installed garbage chute can cause your dishwasher to become clogged if the plug was not removed when the garbage chute was installed. If you remove this plug, your dishwasher clogging problem will probably be solved. If your garbage chute is old, it could be that the things you have thrown down the drain are the cause of your problem.
Broken sewer pipe:Most people don't think that a damaged drain pipe could be the cause of a clogged dishwasher. But a broken drain pipe can clog all the drains in your home. If the dishwasher, powder room, and shower aren't draining, it's time to have your home's sewer lines inspected by a professional.
What things should never go in the dishwasher?find out here!
