WHAT TO DO IF THE DISHWASHER CONSTANTLY DRAINS

You habitually load the dishwasher with dirty dishes and start the program, but after a while, you find that something went wrong: you constantly hear the noise of the drain pump. At the same time, the dishwasher would not respond to pressing any buttons, but when you try to restart the program, the drain pump would start again.

What happened? If the machine keeps emptying, the AquaStop leak protection system has definitely kicked in. Water got into the drain pan, the sensor float of the Aquastop device appeared, and the machine started to drain water as a matter of urgency to avoid flooding the apartment. In this article, we will tell you why the dishwasher worked, whether it is always a sign of breakage, and what to do now.

When the Aquastop is triggered, there’s no fault in the dishwasher

A float sensor tripping doesn’t always signal a dishwasher leak. Here’s a list of reasons when the dishwasher has nothing to do with it.

The utilities surrounding the dishwasher are leaking. If you spill water on the floor next to the dishwasher or on the countertop underneath where the dishwasher sits, the water will run into the pan and trigger the Aquastop. Another source of leaks in plumbing and drainage. Before you call a handyman, make sure it’s the dishwasher that’s leaking.

Dishwasher products are not suitable for the dishwasher. Using dishwashing detergents by hand may cause too much foam to form. It gets into the pan and triggers the AquaStop. Unplug the dishwasher immediately, remove the dishes and leave the door open for a few days to allow the moisture to dry.

The detergent dosage is too high or the detergent itself is of poor quality. Both cases lead to excessive formation of foam, its penetration into the pan, and activation of the Aquastop. Do not use the machine for a couple of days – the foam will dry out and maybe the machine will work normally.

Water infiltration from the drain into the dishwasher. Occurs because of a siphon effect or when the sewer is clogged (especially if the drain is connected to the sink siphon). In both cases, water enters the dishwasher through the drain. As a result, the machine locks the overflow and turns on the Aquastop. To solve the issue, you need to install an anti-siphon valve or clean the drain (yourself or by calling a plumber).

Please note! Foam getting into the dishwasher control unit is dangerous if it fails. Therefore, if you discover that the dishwasher is leaking foam and that the AquaStop has activated, unplug it immediately and allow it to dry for a couple of days.

Please note! In addition to eliminating the cause of activation of the Aquastop, it is important to remove the excess water from the pan. To do this, either tilt the dishwasher backward and drain the water, or wipe it off by taking apart the side wall. You can also wait a couple of days – the water and foam will dry out on their own.

If none of the above cases are similar to yours, unfortunately, you are faced with a breakdown.

Probable malfunctions that require repair

There are quite a few reasons why the dishwasher’s leak protection system goes off and the drain pump constantly works. Only an expert can determine exactly what’s wrong with your dishwasher after a diagnosis. Here’s a list of the most common breakdowns that appliance repair San Diego technicians have fixed.

1. Leaking connections inside the dishwasher
The most common in the dishwasher is the flowing channels drain and recirculation of water (nozzles, hoses, pumps). Much less often – filling duct assemblies.
Leaking connections are the most common cause of dishwasher water drainage.

2. Drain hose leaks
The hose connection to the drain pipe or drain pump is leaking. Damage to the hose itself is rare.

3. Leaky sump cup seal in the wash tank.
Because of prolonged use and/or aggressive detergents, the gasket rubber becomes unusable. If it is damaged, water flows into the pan, the machine registers its overflow, and the leakage protection system is activated.

4. Corrosion and leakage of the washing chamber
When the dishwasher has been in use for a long time, the stamping placed on the bottom of the tank near the cup gets rotten.

5. Door seal. Worn out or damaged.
The holes that have formed allow water to leak onto the floor and into the pan.

6. Cracked salt reservoir or heat-exchanger canister
Although externally “dry”, any dishwasher will have water inside the assemblies after the operation. If your machine “wintered” in an unheated room, the water has turned into ice and could tear hoses, spigots, and other plastic parts.

7. Aquastop sensor
The sensor is probably “stuck” in the flooded position and is erroneously signaling a leak.

8. Control Unit
The tracks or parts of the board responsible for the leak protection system are probably warmed up.

If your dishwasher has stopped washing dishes and constantly drains, it’s time to call in a professional for help. Appliance Repair San Diego has years of experience repairing dishwashers of various brands. Call us or book now.

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(619) 928-5000
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