You've had a long day, and the last item on your to-do list is empty the dishwasher, but you notice that there is standing water in the bottom of the tub. You’ve tried calling around, but no one can be out to repair your dishwasher until next week. So, what do you do in the meantime? Follow these simple steps to remove the water and troubleshoot the issue:
- Remove the WaterStart by pressing your dishwasher’s Cancel button to turn on the drain pump. This should remove the water from the tub. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to bail the water with a cup or a wet/dry vacuum.
- Check the Drain HoseIf the dishwasher seems to fill with dirty water between cycles, especially after using the sink, the dishwasher’s drain hose might be routed improperly. The hose must be looped high enough to prevent your sink from draining into the dishwasher.
It’s also possible for the drain hose to become plugged with debris. In this case, the dishwasher will be unable to complete a cycle and often display an error code. Most of the drain hose is visible under your sink and can be inspected for obstructions with a flashlight. - Consider your Garbage DisposalIf you’ve recently had a new garbage disposal installed, a small plastic knock-out could be the culprit. The barbed dishwasher drain fitting on new garbage disposals is usually sealed with a small plastic disc. This disc must be removed before connecting the dishwasher’s drain hose.
- Use Less DetergentIf, at the end of a cycle, you notice there are still suds present, it’s likely that too much detergent is being used. This can prevent your dishwasher from draining properly. To solve this problem, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to the sudsy water to break down the suds and remember to use less detergent next time!
- Leaky Water ValveIf your dishwasher seems to fill with clean water when it’s not in use for long periods of time, and you’ve already checked the drain hose, then the dishwasher’s water inlet valve may have developed a leak. A leaking inlet valve can quickly turn into a stuck-open valve, so we recommend shutting off the water supply to the dishwasher immediately and scheduling service.
- Unfinished CycleIf none of these steps have helped and your dishwasher stopped mid-cycle with water in the tub, chances are that an internal component such as a pump, control, or timer has failed. Replacement of these parts is best left to professionals – like the ones you’ll find at Michigan Appliance Repair. Give us a call to learn more about our services today!