Shopping for any kitchen appliance can be fun. You go through designs, features, aesthetics, and size. While it is an excellent companion to the kitchen interiors and makes your arduous cleaning and prepping jobs easy, you may need to change these workhorses occasionally to improve your experience. Things become more exciting whenever something gives you a sense of an upgraded lifestyle. For instance, moving from a single-door refrigerator to a giant double-door model clearly indicates that you have chosen luxury, mainly if the older version also served your needs well. Or you use an apron front sink in the kitchen.
For a dramatic effect, you can switch to a completely different sink style, such as an under-mount variety. After all, an undermount sink creates a clean look. A busy place like a cooking zone offers plenty of opportunities to refresh its operating style. But what do you do when your relatively new dishwasher gives you trouble by not draining properly? What should be your first step? If you have exhausted your budget for now, you should use it for some more time. Please don’t worry, as most problems related to water backups in the dishwasher are DIY friendly. Once you try everything without getting results, you can contact professionals for assistance. Till then, let’s study this issue thoroughly.
Types of drain connection in dishwashers
The main reason behind installing this machine is its ability to handle loads of dirty dishes quickly. It drains away all unwanted materials through its filtering system, whether soap, food bits, or water. As soon as the washing cycle begins, the force of water knocks out fat, grease, food, and other debris from the surface. However, the presence of half or full water in the device after the completion of the cleaning cycle indicates draining concerns. Before investigating the cause, you must familiarize yourself with this appliance’s drain pipe connection so you can tackle it as per CTN News.
Typically, this device uses a high loop (connected to a garbage disposal or drain line) or an air gap (connected to a garbage disposal or drain line). A high loop connection requires a drain hose from the cabinet’s top to link up with the sink’s waste disposal unit. Tape, chain, or string helps the high loop stay firm to prevent water from flowing back into the dishwashing machine. One takes the same approach to connect the loop with the drainage system. However, in this format, the connection usually runs through the P-trap’s upper part to block sewer gas entry into the dishwasher.
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On the other hand, air gap configurations also have similar connection procedures. Still, they attach to a tiny round knob (air gap) behind the sink before hooking up to the disposal. This feature eliminates the risk of contaminated sink water from entering the dishwasher. It follows the same procedure to connect with the drain pipe. The only difference is that its position will vary. Like a high loop configuration, it will also occupy the space above your drain line’s P-trap. You already know the reason for such a choice of location.
Causes of draining issues with dishwashers
While many factors contribute, one of the prime suspects can be the clogged garbage disposal unit. Run cold water to get rid of the blockage. You can unplug the device to investigate the obstruction if it doesn’t clear up. Don’t put your hand directly inside. Use pliers or tongs with long handles to pick anything that has affected its operation and the dishwasher. Even homemade cleaning solutions like baking soda and white vinegar can work. Mix them in proper quantity and leave the mixture for about 10 minutes in the disposal before rinsing it with cold water.
Another reason can be the blocked air gap, whether it connects to the drain or disposal. As the name suggests, air gap knobs remove the formation of a vacuum in the drainage to prevent drain water from going back to the dishwashing machine. When it gets clogged, you face water backup issues. You can clean this knob by opening its cap. Disconnect it from the hose to check the clogging status and clear the pipe also. After reconnecting everything, you can run a wash cycle to verify the current condition.
Furthermore, with high-loop connections, you have to check their position. When the drain pipe shifts or moves, regardless of its attachment to the drain or disposal, its gravity gets affected, causing the water to back up. You can fix this culprit quickly by putting the drain hose in its correct high loop location.
Some people are unaware that even the wrong choice of dishwasher detergent can lead to this issue. Fortunately, you can resolve this issue by removing residual soap and water from the machine. Please stop using laundry or regular dishwashing soap if you do. It will block the appliance in the bottom, not letting the water pass through the drain or disposal. Once the surface is spotless, you can run a washing cycle with the appropriate detergent. If this area looks sorted and the problem persists, your next target can be the drain hose running through the dishwasher to the drain line or disposal.
When this pipe becomes crimped or curved, you face a water backup issue in the dishwasher. Generally, this situation accidentally develops when you shove a heavy object under the sink that tampers with its position. The simple solution to this trouble is straightening the hose.
The right time to contact a plumber
You can fall back on a professional after trying everything within your reach and not getting the results. If you are not a DIYer, it’s better to contact them as soon as possible. The experts can troubleshoot any challenges effortlessly due to their experience and expertise. They can inspect and correct all the parts for faults, such as nut assembly, valves, drain motors, drain pumps, and pistons.
If you are a large family, you depend on your daily-use kitchen appliances more to increase your speed and reduce your efforts. Please choose every element wisely to make the most of them.
