Simple Techniques to Quickly and Easily Unclog a Dishwasher Drain Pipe
Unclogging a dishwasher drain is not an impossible task and can easily be done by any handyman or woman. With the right tools, you can take on the challenge of dealing with the clog head-on with the steps laid out here. Before starting any plumbing project, remember to SHUT OFF THE ELECTRICITY TO YOUR DISHWASHER AND GARBAGE DISPOSAL AT THE MAIN ELECTRIC PANEL. This ensures your safety when working with any electrical appliance, especially those that involve water.
The next step is to locate where the dishwasher drain hose is connected to either the sink or a garbage disposal drain pipe and carefully loosen the pipe clamp. Now, you can use a drain snake to insert into the hose and extract the clog. By reconnecting the hose and fastening the clamp, the clog should be dislodged. If this does not work, the clog most likely lies in the dishwasher drain itself.
Refer to the dishwasher’s owner’s manual to locate the drain, remove the drain catch and filters, and use a spoon or non-metallic blade to dig around and remove anything lodged in the drain pathway. In case this doesn’t work, pour one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of vinegar down the dishwasher drain as it will create a chemical reaction that could dislodge the clog. Wait enough time for the ingredients to work and then reconnect the filters, turn the electricity back on, and the dishwasher should be operational.
To keep the dishwasher properly unclogged, you should periodically check and take out foreign objects from the drain. Furthermore, whenever you load the dishwasher, make sure that dishes, glassware, and plastic items are not overly dirty or wet. Allowing food particles to remain on dishes prior to washing them, or allowing wet dishes with food stuck on them to stay in the dishwasher, can build up and cause a clog.
Following the steps mentioned above will go a long way in helping you keep your dishwasher drain unclogged and functioning, restoring a level of convenience to your household that you have likely come to rely on. With a little bit of know-how and the right tools, you can take on a seemingly daunting task in no time.