How Can A Clogged Dishwasher Drain Hose Cause Water Damage?

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

The water damage professionals at SERVPRO have restored many water damages from a clogged dishwasher drain hose.

Dishwashers are an easy and comfortable part of our lives in our modern society. We load the dishwasher with the day's dishes, run a cleaning loop, and then spend the next hour doing other things. It is easy for us to take getting a functioning dishwasher for granted before it suddenly stops working.

A common reason for a dishwasher to malfunction is when food, paper, and other debris collect in your dishwasher drain hose and cause a clog. A clogged dishwasher drain hose will trigger backups and limit a dishwasher's efficiency.

If your dishwasher develops a clog of some kind, you might be in for some severe problems, mainly when it overflows. Dishwasher water damage does not end here; if it goes unnoticed for long, it can cost you serious secondary damages.

In this blog post, we will go over the early signs to look for when you think your dishwasher drain hose is clogged, actionable steps to unclog the drain hose, and who to call for water damage restoration.

What does a clogged dishwasher drain hose look like?

Underneath your dishwasher unit, there is a drain hose that can crack, clog, and deteriorate over time, causing a water damage leak. Early warning signs of dishwasher leakage are frequently found under and behind the unit, where plumbing connections are hidden.

To ensure a well-functioning dishwasher, you should remove the front kickplate two to three times a year and search beneath the dishwasher for dripping or other signs of water leakage. It is best to check the unit for a clogged hose, both when it is turned off and filling.

When a clogged dishwasher drain hose goes unnoticed and untreated, it can easily become the cause of severe water damage to your kitchen and home in little time.

3 Early signs of a clogged dishwasher drain hose

1) Loud noises

Dishwashers are not known for being very silent, but the sound they produce is usually pretty predictable. If you hear uncommon noises coming from your dishwasher, it may be due to a clog.

2) Gurgling

It's never a positive thing if the drains are gurgling. Although this does not always indicate that you are dealing with a major plumbing problem, it does indicate that something isn't quite right. If you hear gurgling, it means there's a clog, or at least a partial clog, somewhere in either your drain hose or pipe.

3) Water overflow

When the dishwasher backs up into the kitchen sink, you know something is wrong. A dishwasher overflow indicates that the water is unable to flow due to a clogged drain hose.

How to unclog a dishwasher drain hose

If you've figured out what's causing your dishwasher hose to clog, make sure you're prepared to unclog your drains. Below we are going to be going over a way to unclog your dishwasher drain hose, but remember that it is always wise to hire a local plumbing professional with the right knowledge.

Tools you may need:

Drain auger or snake.
Gloves.
Bucket
Vinegar
Phillips head/flathead screwdriver
Baking soda

(Before starting any dishwasher repairs, unplug the unit!)

To start the unclogging process, you will want to remove the dish racks and then remove the drain grate with a screwdriver. Manually remove any visible debris and then use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. After you let the solution sit, you can add boiling water down the drain hose. Reattach and reinsert the rack and grate and check to see if the dishwasher is properly draining.

Contact SERVPRO for dishwasher water damage restoration

At SERVPRO, we believe that no water damage is the best kind of water damage. You can count on the IICRC certified professionals at SERVPRO of Cookeville / Carthage / Smithville / Woodbury when your dishwasher malfunctions and causes water damage throughout your home. Your kitchen will be back in a pre-water damage state in no time with the help of our experts.

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (931) 528-9292