Are you wondering why your dishwasher isn’t operating as efficiently as it used to? We suspect a problem with its drain lines. Dishwashers can alleviate the laborious task of washing dishes every day, saving you significant time and effort.
The only time we realize a dishwasher’s importance is when it stops functioning the way it should. Research has shown that from 2011 onwards, shipped dishwashers have increased from 5.4 million units to 8.34 million units. Here’s how you can clean your dishwasher pipes to make sure they drain.
Examine the Plumbing Connections
One of the first things you should do is check if the drain hose is connected to your dishwasher. The latter should be tightly securely fastened to the garbage disposal or sink and shouldn’t be blocked by garbage or food remains.
If your drain solenoid or hose clamp is damaged in any way, you should have them replaced immediately as the drain valve won’t operate properly if these parts are worn out.
Built-in dishwashers usually drain through the garbage disposal, so ensure the latter doesn’t contain any leftover food. Switch it on and clear any mineral excess or garbage buildup through a drain cleaner. You can tell the garbage disposal is clogged if it makes a loud noise when you switch it on.
Assess the air gap cylinder to ensure it’s clean inside. This helps the water flow properly during a wash cycle and that wastewater doesn’t recede into the dishwasher. The cylinder should be positioned near the dishwasher outlet hose and behind the sink.
Check the Dishwasher Filler
Aside from the plumbing, check for waste and food buildup inside the dishwasher along the tub’s bottom. Use an abrasive sponge or rag to clean this area of any remains. Next, examine the filter located at the back or along the tub’s base near the spray arm.
The grids built into the base protect the filter from debris accumulation, but since this can still happen, you should remove the casing and clean the filter accordingly. Just make sure you go through the instruction manual since portable dishwashers have different kinds of filters that may require slightly altered cleaning techniques.
Clear the Drain
If the problem persists, you should try cleaning the drain with equal amounts of baking soda and vinegar. Pour this mixture into the basket’s bottom and let it do its work for approximately fifteen minutes. All that’s left now is to pour hot water down the basket and operate the rinse cycle.
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