My dishwasher is backed up. Something is either broke or clogged. What should I do?

Question

I took it apart and drained everything but when it starts the water stays at a standstill. What should I do without costing me an arm and a leg.

I have taken it apart as far as I could. This basically being all of the hoses. The washer itself runs but there is no draining.

Answer 1

Sounds like the pump went bad.

Answer 2

Can't be sure of how far, "took it apart" goes, but if you didn't already do it, try taking the drain hose off the connection to the drain under the sink and lay it down low to the floor, using a flat pan of some sort to catch the water and whatever else may come out. If the motor seems to be running, there should be some sort of movement in any water setting in the bottom of the tub area, if the impellar that pushes the water out is still attached to the motor shaft. Make sure to take the insides apart down to the drain screen and feel around in the opening where the water exits to see if something broke and is wedged in there. If all else fails I've had some success using a reverse air flow through the drain line by attaching a vacuum hose to the blower end of the vac, and to the drain line. Sometimes it 's just enough push to dislodge whatever is plugging the line and make it go back or allow it to come on through.

Answer 3

Did you recently replace your garbage disposal? Usually the dish washer drains into the disposal. There is a plug in the connection point on the disposal that must be knocked out when installing, or the dish washer can not drain.

Answer 4

Check your connection to your drain, the clog might be there. If not it is probably the pump. They are kind of cheap and if you have some experience with fixing things it shouldn't be to hard to install. Can you turn a wrench?