Steps to Unclog Your Dishwasher
Steps to Unclog Your Dishwasher
Recent Blogs
How Does a Toilet Tank Work?

How Does a Toilet Tank Work?

Read More...
Are Drain Cleaners Safe to Use on Plumbing?

Are Drain Cleaners Safe to Use on Plumbing?

Read More...
Tips to Keep Your Drains Clean All Year Long

Tips to Keep Your Drains Clean All Year Long

Read More...
How to Care for Your Septic System

How to Care for Your Septic System

Read More...
How to Find a Water Shut-off Valve Outside

How to Find a Water Shut-off Valve Outside

Read More...
COUPON

Toilet Replacement

$50 Off Toilet Installation and replacement.

"Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer."
$50 OFF OFF
Print
COUPON

Shut-Off Valve

Free Emergency Shut-Off Valve

"Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer."
FREE OFF
Print
COUPON

Plumbing Service

10% Off Any Plumbing Service of $400 or More

"Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer."
10% OFF OFF
Print
COUPON

Gas Line Repair

Any Interior or Exterior Waterline or Gas Repair

"Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer."
$35 OFF OFF
Print
Reviews

Rowena Hyndman

Earl was awesome, he crawled  under our house to get to the clean out for the sewer drain. When he open it gallons of sewer…

search

Logan Kreider

Chris was very pleasant to work with. He told us exactly how it was without beating around the bush. He took his time explaining the…

search

Christina Fike

Matt was very respectful and professional. He was very thorough in his explanations of work being done and the work he performed. The workmanship was…

search

Stephen McWilliams

Adam showed up wearing a mask and quickly diagnosed the problem. The previous plumber from a different company installed the sink drain gaskets incorrectly and…

search
Steps to Unclog Your Dishwasher
Sep 25, 2022

Steps to Unclog Your Dishwasher

If you find a pool of water and a load of dirty plates when you open the dishwasher, chances are you have a clog. If you’re panicking about the situation, don’t worry. Luckily, there are some say tricks to help unclog your dishwasher. If you feel that you need professional help, you may call Mr. Rooter Plumbing for drain cleaning.

How to Unclog a Dishwasher

  • Empty the Machine – The first step of action you should take before attempting any plumbing activities is to empty out your dishwasher. Remove any dishes and silverware and place them in a separate pile from your clean dishes so that you can go back to cleaning them after you repair the dishwasher. It will be helpful to remove the bottom rack of the dishwasher for more access.
  • Disconnect the Dishwasher – The next and most important step will be to cut off the electricity for both the dishwasher and garbage disposal. We’re trying to teach you a safe and money-saving way to clear out the clog in your dishwasher, so do not skip over this step, or else you may be at risk of a visit to the hospital.
  • Remove Stagnant Water – Next, you will have to remove any excess water floating around in your dishwasher. You can do this by soaking up the water with a towel or wet vac. Another tactic would be to use a bowl and spoon to scoop up the water and later pat down the area with a towel to remove any remnants of water. This step is the last preparation before we get into drain cleaning.
  • Check the Drain Hose – Now you’ll have to check and see if the dishwasher drain hose is clogged. The drain hose is the tube that connects your garbage disposal to your dishwasher. The hose is usually located under your sink or behind the dishwasher. If it is behind the dishwasher, you’ll have to remove the dishwasher to access it.
  • Remove the Drain Line – Once you’ve located the hose, use pliers to loosen the clamp and disconnect it from the machine. Water may spill out once the hose has been loosened, so be ready with a bucket or bowl to place beneath the hose. Once you remove the hose, start to get the debris out. You can use de-cloggers or use a DIY wire coat hanger de-clogger to remove the gunk. If you don’t reach any debris in the hose, the clog may lie in the dishwasher drain.
  • Check the Dishwasher Drain – Look for a basket-shaped component at the bottom of your dishwasher. Remove it with a screwdriver and repeat the de-clogging process, just like you did with the drain hose. Once you remove the gunk and debris, reconnect the parts of your dishwasher and do a test run.

Still Clogged?

If your dishwasher is still clogged after your unclogging attempts, it’s time to call a professional plumber. Call a plumber from Mr. Rooter Plumbing to help you diagnose and solve the issue. We want to remind you that regular maintenance on your dishwasher will also help prevent future clogs and repairs. If you don’t know how to take care of your dishwasher, we recommend looking up maintenance tips or asking a professional from Mr. Rooter Plumbing.