Imagine walking into the kitchen expecting the dishwasher to be turned off, only to find a small pool of water in front of your dishwasher. Your initial thought will be, “How can my dishwasher fills with water when it is not running?”. Well, this unexpected issue can be an indication that your appliance is malfunctioning.
We all love time-saving appliances, it’s a pleasure to work in the kitchen when your appliances are working well. A dishwasher is also one of those time-saving appliances that can simplify your kitchen chores. But sometimes certain issues can cause the non-operational dishwasher to fill up with water.
Water in idle dishwasher not only indicates the malfunction of the dishwasher but it can also make you climb a steep hill by increasing your workload. Troubleshooting dishwasher water issue is the best way to resolve it. Once the issue is figured out you can come up with a practical solution on how to resolve pool up of water in idle dishwasher.
Read on to learn about the 5 unexpected causes why your dishwasher fills with water when it is not running!
What are the different issues associated with water in idle dishwasher?
There are three different situations that cause dishwasher water to overflow.
- Sometimes you can wake up to a small pool of water in the morning even when your dishwasher was off the entire night.
- Or you may experience that your dishwasher water has not drained even after a completed wash cycle.
- In some cases the dishwasher may start overflowing right during the wash cycle, that is one of the most hazardous situations to come across as the dishwasher is still plugged in.
However, all these situtaion are inter-related and only troubleshooting dishwasher water issue can make your dishwasher to function optimally.
Is there any way of fixing dishwasher water problem at home?
Yes, once you figure out the problem there are certain repairs that can be done at home without much risk. Make sure to never touch the dishwasher when it’s plugged, it can be downright dangerous. You must make a visual inspection first, and later unplug the dishwasher if you want to check the inside.
If you are done with inspection, just like any other appliance make sure to wait before plugging it back. Nonetheless, if you are unable to figure it out, that’s your time to think about hiring dishwasher technician. Professional dishwasher service can help you pinpoint the possible cause and repair or replace the damaged part of dishwasher.
5 Reasons Why Dishwasher Fills with Water When It Is Not Running
Malfunctioning of Water Inlet Valve
First things first, the water inlet valve is the most basic issue that can lead to the overfilling of dishwasher water. When the water inlet valve is open it allows the water into the dishwasher. Once the water reaches the optimum level it gets closed. However, it can cause malfunction if it works even when it is not supposed to work.
The main reason behind the faulty water inlet valve is the mineral buildup due to hard water. The high concentration of minerals in hard water causes limescale buildup in the pipes and water inlet valves. This can prevent the proper sealing of the inlet valve causing inflow of water beyond optimum level.
Blocked Drain Hose
The next reason why dishwasher fills with water when it is not running is the blocked drain hose. A visual inspection of the drain system is necessary before moving on to serious issues that need dishwasher repair or replacement. The blocked drain system can cause kitchen floods even in a non-operational dishwasher.
Sometimes while fidgeting with the kitchen drain hose, you might put extra pressure on the dishwasher drain hose. This causes the angled flattening of the hose causing backflow of waste dishwasher water instead of draining it. Or if the hose is not placed properly you may see the same outcome. Even the best dishwashers can fail at this point.
Faulty Impeller or Float Switch
Another part of the dishwasher that causes overflow of dishwasher water is a damaged float switch or impeller. The float switch is a part of the float assembly that is present at the bottom of the dishwasher tub. The float switch automatically turns off the dishwasher when the water level starts to increase. But in case of a faulty float switch, you may experience the outflow of water during the wash cycle.
On the other hand, the function of the impeller is to push the water out of the check valve. The impeller provides the necessary force to get the water out of the dishwasher, but the faulty impeller is not able to perform this function. Over time, the impeller might get damaged or worn out and need replacement.
Damaged Check Valve
A check valve is a small plug that allows dishwasher water to flow out of the drain. Nevertheless, a damaged check valve can prevent this process. Instead of pushing out the dishwasher water from the drain hose, it causes backflow of water resulting into high levels of water in idle dishwasher.
This is caused by a damaged or not-so-tight seal of the check valve. You will see that once the drain pump goes off, the wastewater will backflow into the dishwater, indicating that something is wrong with the check valve. During inspection if you see a damaged or broken check valve, this is a sign that it needs replacement or repair.
Worn Out Door Seal
If neither of these solves your problem and you are still wondering why dishwasher fills with water off. Then the last thing can be a worn out or cracked door seal. A door seal also known as a gasket is a mechanical seal that is present between two matting surfaces of dishwasher to prevent the seeping of water.
If you see a pool of water in front of the dishwasher and water stains around the edges of the gasket, a worn-out door seal could be the cause. The easiest way of preventing water in idle dishwasher is to replace the gasket or door seal of your dishwasher.
FAQs on Why My Dishwasher Fills with Water When It Is Not Running
Why does the dishwasher fill with water when not in use?
Water in idle dishwasher is possibly caused by malfunctioning of the water inlet valve, blocked drain hose, faulty impeller or float switch, damaged or broken check valve, and worn out door seal.
Why is my dishwasher leaking from the bottom when not running?
If your dishwasher is leaking from the bottom, it can be most likely due to faulty valve connections or a cracked hose. However, a leaky gasket can also cause a non-operational dishwasher to leak water.
How do I know if my dishwasher water inlet valve is bad?
If you see that the water inlet valve is causing the water to either flow slowly or not at all, then it confirms that water inlet valve is broken or needs cleaning. However, if there is no change even after cleaning, then you just need to replace the valve.
How do you fix a dishwasher inlet valve?
The water inlet valve allows the flow of water into the dishwasher and it is closed after the water reaches the optimum level. But if the dishwasher inlet valve is faulty, the dishwasher will start overflowing. First, make sure to locate the water inlet valve then disconnect the fitting and hose, after that unscrew the broken valve and install a new one.
How long should a dishwasher last?
Even though dishwashers don’t last forever, they can go as long as 10 years. However, you may start experiencing some unexpected issues during the first five years.
How do you unclog a dishwasher filter?
The dishwasher filter can be unclogged in three easy steps. First, take out the filter and wash it under running water to remove any food chunks. Then use a brush to clean any grease or dirt. Next soak it in the mixture of vinegar, water, and a little bit of salt, now your filter will work as good as new
What is the most common cause of a dishwasher leaking?
As we mentioned above, the most common cause of water in idle dishwasher is a leaky seal or gasket. The failure of the gasket can cause kitchen floods even when your dishwasher is not operating.
How much does it cost to replace a dishwasher valve?
According to Forbes, the average cost to replace the dishwasher is around $35. However, the price of the valve depends entirely on the model of your dishwasher ranging from $10 to $80.
Follow Up
Encountering problems where you question why my dishwasher fills with water when it is not running can be frustrating. Even though we have mentioned the 5 most common issues that can cause water in idle dishwasher sometimes the extent of malfunction goes beyond this. If you are still unable to figure it out with no luck, then this is your call for hiring dishwasher technician.
However, if the wash time is getting longer, the front glasses of the dishwasher are clouded and the door doesn’t latch even after replacing the gasket, then we suggest you buying a new dishwasher. A period of 10 years is a limit for any appliance, and if your dishwasher is malfunctioning every other day then this is the time you think about upgrading dishwasher!
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Written By Gemma Wilson
Gemma is an expert at writing about how appliances are made and how to use them. She can tell you how to choose the best appliances for your needs and how to take care of them properly. She can also give helpful tips on how to fix and troubleshoot appliances and give advice on how to choose the most energy-efficient ones.
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