Dishwasher Repair - Replacing the Drain Hose

While dishwashers make our day-to-day life much easier, when they refuse to drain properly, fill properly, or wash properly, they can end up causing a great bit of hassle. When the economy is strong many of us will call in a repair man or even hit the local appliance store for a new model, but as time are tough these days this do-it-yourself tutorial on fixing a dishwasher when it will not drain properly will help you extend the life of your dishwasher for a fraction of the cost of hiring a repair man.

Fortunately a dishwasher that will not drain properly has an easy and inexpensive solution. The only tools you will need for this do-it-yourself guide to replacing the drain hose on your dishwasher are the following:

Screwdriver

Pliers

A bowl

A new drain hose

The first step when working with electric appliances is to disconnect the appliance from the electrical source. Likewise, the first step when working with a plumbing appliance is to turn off the water.

After you have turned off water and electricity connected to your dishwasher, remove the bottom front panel. The bottom front panels of most dishwashers are held in place by plastic clips; however, some still use retaining screws.

Next locate your dishwasher's drain hose. This should be the largest hose attached to the bottom of your dishwasher and to your garbage disposal or sink drain. Place your bowl beneath your dishwashers pump and using your screwdriver or pliers gently loosen the drain hose clamp. Note: there may still be some water in the drain hose.

Next hold your dishwasher's drain hose up to allow any remaining water to flow into your garbage disposal or sink drain, before removing the clamp which connects your dishwasher's drain hose to the drain or garbage disposal.

You may be able to salvage a semi-clogged dishwasher drain hose by flushing out the congestion with a garden hose, or a long pipe cleaner. However, dishwasher drain hoses are not very expensive and it may be worth while to simply pick up a new dishwasher drain hose at your local hardware or appliance store.

Repeat this process in reverse to install your new dishwasher drain hose, but be sure to check that there are no leaks and that your dishwasher is working properly before closing the bottom front panel of your dishwasher.