Help! Dishwasher tips: Removing And Cleaning the Pump Hose

A blocked dishwasher is inconvenient to say the least. Usually, it is caused by a simple blockage. Last week we looked at how you can clear the inside of your dishwasher to promote a good clean and to prevent blockages. If that doesn’t work, you may need to remove the waste hose and clean it out.

If you are unsure of what you are doing, particularly if your dishwasher is under the manufacturer’s warrantee, call a local dishwasher repair specialist to take a look. If you do something which damages the dishwasher, your warrantee could be voided. If you feel confident that you can do it yourself, follow these steps:

We all know that water and electricity don’t mix. Before you work with anything electrical, it is important that you switch off the power. If your dishwasher is hard wired, switch off the circuit.

1. Your first step is to empty the water out of your dishwasher. Use a jug, cup or mug to carefully remove all of the water. When you just have a little bit left in the bottom, use a very absorbent cloth or a sponge to get the last few bits.
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws from the kick plate under your dishwasher.
3. Find the drain hose that is connected to the pump; place a small bowl or pan underneath it.
4. With a pair of pliers, pinch the wire catch that attaches the hose to the pump. Carefully remove the hose and drain the water into the pan. Repeat at the other end of the hose.
5. Take the hose out completely and give it a good bend and shake to loosen any food particles. Put the hose in the sink and run water through it to get rid of the blockage.
6. Once the hose is clean, the easiest way to check that it is no longer blocked is to blow through it; if you meet no resistance, then you are block-free. If the hose is still blocked, keep bending the hose to loosen the blockage and to see if you can tell where it is, and repeat the cleaning process.
7. Once the hose is unblocked, carefully reattach it, replace the kickboard and switch the electricity back on.

If you are not 100% sure about what you are doing, get in touch with a local, rated plumber, or contact the manufacturer. For more tips, advice and guidance, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.