Water standing in your dishwasher is one of the most common dishwasher problems you will encounter as a homeowner. As you can tell, it’s annoying and unsanitary for the dishwasher to have standing water. Besides the water being a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, it also gives off smelly odors that are off-putting.
How do I get rid of standing water in my dishwasher? Well, there are plenty of ways to go about it without requiring special tools or skills. These ways, as given by dishwasher repair professionals, include:
Run the garbage disposal
Sometimes a full garbage disposal or an air gap in a connecting hose can prevent water from properly draining out of the dishwasher. To drain the stagnant water, run the disposal for about 30 seconds.
Clean or replace the filter
If you have gone without cleaning the dishwasher’s filter for a long time, the dirty filter might prevent the water from draining. Refer to the owner’s manual and see where the filter is located on your dishwasher and instructions on removing and cleaning it.
In most dishwashers, you will find the filter on the inside bottom of the appliance. Some will require you to unscrew them, while others won’t.
If the filter is too dirty or worn out, the best way out is to replace it. When getting a new unit, ensure that it’s the right size for your appliance. It also should have a high-energy star rating to function efficiently and last for a long time.
Check for blockages
If the filter is clean and functioning correctly, check the bottom of the dishwasher for items or pieces of food that might have fallen from the rack to block the water flow. If these items are present, get rid of them immediately.
Inspect the drain hose
Check the drain hose connecting to the sink and garbage disposal. If there are any kinks, straighten them, and hopefully, the problem will go away. Besides straightening the kinks, also blow through the hose or poke a wire hanger through to check for clogs. You also should ensure that the seal is tight enough.
Take a look at the supply line.
You need to locate the supply line under the sink and place a bucket underneath to catch any falling water. Then disconnect the plumbing line feeding into the main drain.
While allowing the water to drain into the bucket, inspect the line for clogs and run a snake through the pipe to dislodge it. After removing all the clogs, attach the plumbing line again and run an empty cycle through the dishwasher.
Try vinegar and baking soda.
Mix one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar and pour the mixture into the standing water at the bottom of your dishwasher. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes and see what happens.
If the water starts to drain, rinse it with hot water, then run the dishwasher’s rinse cycle. This will loosen the clogs or any debris that might be preventing the dishwasher from draining properly.
How do you prevent standing water in the future?
Prevention is always better than cure, so to avoid having to get rid of the water now and then, there are several things you should do. Some of these things include:
Always use the correct dishwashing detergent
As much as they look the same, different dishwashers require different detergents. Whether your dishwasher uses powder, pods, or liquid detergent, ensure that you use that specific detergent to avoid clogging the drains.
Load the dishwasher properly
According to appliance repair Alexandria professionals, improperly loading the dishwasher can make it hard to drain during a complete cycle so ensure that you properly load it. If you don’t know how to go about it, read the manufacturer’s manual.
Pay attention to your dishwasher.
Most appliances, including dishwashers, give you signs that they are about to malfunction. If there are buzzing, humming, or clicking sounds, these might indicate that your appliance has an underlying problem, and it’s time to look into it.
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