Is there a way to unclog a dishwasher before calling in a plumber?
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KMS Woodworks on Aug 17, 2012There could be two things going on here...the first is a clog which may be removed by pulling the drain screen and removing it, I have used a thin piece of wire on one and well and pulling the pump impeller cover. Another problem my be a problematic solenoid, this is the electrically controlled "valve" that opens and closes during certain phases of the machines cycle. If that is toast it is repair man time. to confirm a clog "in" the machine...remove the drain hose from the bottom of the unit and from where ever it drains too...flush this out to make sure it is not in this hose...these are normally very clog free despite their corrugated nature...the pump provides some decent flow...and most clog are always upstream of the pump.1 marked as helpful Reply
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Marianne Songbird on Aug 17, 2012Don't know about your washer. But ours have filters too. Somewhere at the bottom and they need to be cleaned from time to time too. Check your manual. Good luck with it.Helpful Reply
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Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com on Aug 18, 2012Do you have an anti siphon device on the dishwasher? Is the drain line running up higher then the dishwasher or perhaps fell down behind it? It sounds as though the dishwasher is siphoning the water back from the drain line. If the connection is incorrect to the drain also can cause this to occur. Is the dishwasher connected to the drain pipe where it leaves the sink, but before the U trap? If it is incorrectly piped that will cause this issue as well.1 marked as helpful Reply
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Joanne Karstens on Aug 18, 2012Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas. Haven't had time to search for the dishwasher's manual but after I check it, I'll post further.Helpful Reply
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Marlene Haigh on Apr 13, 2015i ran bleach in the dishwasher and it cleaned up the smell and stain at the bottom. Of course I cleaned the filter screens first.Helpful Reply
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Pete Wells on Apr 13, 2015Woodbridge Environmental is absolutely correct! Check the drain connection, your dishwasher is filling up with drainings from the kitchen sink...and your dishes ARE NOT getting clean, don't use the dishwasher until this is corrected!1 marked as helpful Reply
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Joanne Karstens on Apr 13, 2015Thanks to all who responded!♥Helpful Reply
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Wanda sinnema on Sep 24, 20153-4 times a year I run a quuick wash cycle with bleach--sometimes I stop it for a few minutes then restart it. that allows the bleach to get a really great cleaning of the bottom where things sometimes nasty-especially if you don't use it everyday..Helpful Reply
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GrandmasHouseDIY on Sep 24, 2015First thing I would do was make sure its still connected properly to your kitchen sink drain (there could be a kink in the dishwasher's drain hose). The dishwasher's drain hose should be connected above your drain trap under your sink. I would disconnect the hose and check where it immediately connects to your drain under your sink (its a pretty small drain opening so that's where I would start) and then check the hose all the way up to the dishwasher to make sure it is clear and then check the drain trap under your kitchen sink and empty it.(Is your sink draining fine?) From there, the other suggestions of bleach are an idea but I would be more inclined to run a tablespoon of citric acid and a cup of vinegar on your hottest/strongest wash setting with nothing else in the dishwasher. Of course, most of my trying to help here won't be any help at all if your dishwasher's drains somewhere else but under your sink! Sorry if that's the case!Helpful Reply
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