Americana dishwasher not draining

Americana dishwasher not draining. One of the most common issues reported by homeowners to plumbers is when their dishwasher won’t drain.

While it can be scary to open your dishwasher door and see standing water at the bottom, it isn’t always a plumbing emergency. In fact, you may be able to correct the problem yourself without professional help.

We want to show you what some of these problems look like and how they can be fixed in a couple of simple steps.

Americana dishwasher not drainingwhy americana dishwasher not draining

One of the most common problems reported to professional plumbing companies by customers is when a dishwasher won’t drain.

While it can be scary to open the dishwasher door and see standing water at the bottom, it isn’t always a plumbing emergency. In fact, you may be able to correct the problem yourself without professional help.

If draining your dishwasher is an issue, here are simple techniques to try at home.

Faulty Drain Impeller 

There’s a specific component in your garbage disposal unit known as the impeller. The impeller works by pumping water down the drain.

If you’ve noticed that your garbage sink isn’t working properly, take a look at this component.

Blocked Drain Valve

Over time, the valve responsible for draining water from the dishwasher can become clogged with debris. To ensure water flows out of the drain properly, clean out this valve and make sure it’s clear of debris.

If you find that the drain valve is clear but still will not open when you try to turn it on, then you must replace this part because it is not serviceable.

Drain valves are not repairable – if your valve is defective and won’t do its job, then you must replace it completely in order to get the dishwasher working again smoothly.

Defective Drain Pump

There are a number of reasons why water may not be draining out of your dishwasher, but if all other avenues have been ruled out and the problem persists even when the on/off button has been turned off it’s very likely that you might have to look into replacing your drain pump.

This tube, which connects to the drainpipe, is a necessary component in any dishwashing machine as it passes the dirty water along to the sewage system so that it doesn’t stagnate inside.

Pump and Motor Assembly Problempump and motor assembly problem

The motor drives an impeller to force water out of the drain hose. If the motor runs during the drain cycle, check for a blockage in the drain line.

If the motor will not run during the drain cycle or if it just hums when it should be running, one might need to replace the pump and motor assembly.

Break Water Pump Belt

The water pump belt could be compromised. You will want to research if your own machine has one because most dishwashers do not need a water pump belt.

You will want to inspect and check the components on the bottom of the actual motor unit. The water pump belt should be located there.

If it looks like the belt has been compromised and is breaking down, you will then need to replace it with a new one.

Check Valve

The check valve prevents water from backing up into the dishwasher after it has drained. If the valve gets stuck closed, it will prevent the water from draining.

If the check valve is stuck closed, try cleaning it out and then replace it if necessary.

Improperly Seated Garbage Disposerimproperly seated garbage disposer

If the garbage disposal was recently installed, it is possible that the solid plug that came with it is still in place. All garbage disposals are sold with a plug fitted inside of the drainage pipe that goes into your sink.

If the dishwasher isn’t draining into the disposer, then that means you need to ensure there is no small piece of plastic or metal at the end of this tube (in addition to making sure there’s nothing clogging up your sink).

To do this, disconnect the hose on your dishwasher or under-sink pump; if there’s anything inside of it, clean out both ends thoroughly before reattaching everything again.

Change the Filter 

You may need to clean a clogged dishwasher filter, as it could prevent water from draining. Many homeowners don’t realize they should regularly clean the filters on their dishwashers.

Check your owner’s manual to find out where on your dishwasher the filter is located and what the recommended cleaning process is. For many dishwashers, a filter is located inside at the bottom of the appliance.

Timer Issue

One reason that a dishwasher may not drain the water properly is because of an issue with the timer mechanism. To identify and resolve this type of problem, start by testing to see if the motor runs when you set the timer to start a cycle.

If it doesn’t run, replace the motor. If you want to replace only part of it, be sure you get the same model so that it will fit into your dishwasher as snugly as possible.

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