Where to drain a dishwasher?

Author: Annette Kassulke  |  Last update: Saturday, October 4, 2025

Where is the drain on a dishwasher? Your dishwasher drains through a hose that attaches to the plumbing below your sink or snakes out the back of your machine. In most cases, you can access one side of the hose from below your sink, as it usually ties into the same drainline that your sink uses.

How do you empty water from a dishwasher?

Remove the water

Start bailing out the dishwasher sump (the part that collects water for the pump) into the sink or a bucket with a scoop or cup. If you have a wet/dry vac then that's even better. Once scooping becomes ineffective, soak up the last of the water with an old towel.

How do I force my dishwasher to drain?

Loosen the hose clamp on your drain tube where it connects to your garbage disposal or kitchen sink drain. Do this by turning it counter-clockwise with flat-head screwdriver. Put the drain hose in a bucket and set your dishwasher to drain by pressing the drain/cancel/start button for three seconds.

Should a dishwasher drain into the garbage disposal?

Yes, in most kitchen setups, the dishwasher is connected to the garbage disposal. The dishwasher drains wastewater through a hose that typically connects to the garbage disposal. This connection allows food particles and waste from the dishwasher to be ground up and disposed of properly.

Can a dishwasher drain directly into a waste line?

Second, the drain must connect to a proper fitting with a trap that prevents sewer gases from backing into the dishwasher. This trap arrangement already exists at the kitchen sink, but it would need to be duplicated if you made a separate connection directly into the waste line.

How To Fix a Dishwasher That Won't Drain

Where should my dishwasher drain to?

How a Dishwasher Drains. The dishwasher is connected to a drain hose that runs water into the pipes under or into your sink. Sometimes the plumbing connections in your sink begin to deteriorate and need to be replaced. Or there may be excess debris clogging the bottom of your unit.

Does a dishwasher have to drain into AP trap?

Water always sits in the bottom of the P-trap, and this prevents sewer gases from coming into the house. The dishwasher drain must be connected before the P-trap, not after it, which is what was done here. With this improper installation, sewer gases have the potential to come back into the dishwasher.

How do I clear my dishwasher drain to my garbage disposal?

6 Steps to Unclog Dishwasher Drain
  1. Locate and Remove the Filter to Unclog Dishwasher Drain. ...
  2. Run a Cycle on the Dishwasher. ...
  3. Check the Drain Hose That is Connected to the Sink or Garbage Disposal. ...
  4. Turn on the Garbage Disposal to Unclog Dishwasher Drain. ...
  5. Check the Air Gap Cylinder. ...
  6. Add Baking Soda and Vinegar.

Why does a dishwasher drain hose need to be elevated?

Why is a high loop needed? A dishwasher drainline without a high loop would be connected to the disposal and then laid horizontally in the bottom of the cabinet. Without a high loop, dirty water from the sink can collect into the drainline and even back up into the dishwasher.

Do I really need a dishwasher air gap?

Do new dishwashers need an air gap? A dishwasher air gap's purpose is to help ensure that the water being used in your appliance is fresh and isn't siphoned out early during a wash cycle. If you live in a state where air gaps are mandated by law, even a new dishwasher will require one to be installed.

How do I get rid of standing water in my dishwasher?

Try vinegar and baking soda

Mix together about one cup each of baking soda and vinegar and pour the mixture into the standing water at the bottom of the dishwasher. Leave for about 20 minutes. If the water is draining or starting to drain at that time, rinse with hot water and then run the dishwasher's rinse cycle.

What button do you press to drain a dishwasher?

Put the drain hose in a bucket and set your dishwasher to drain by pressing the drain/cancel/start button for three seconds.

How long do dishwashers last?

Average Lifespan of Dishwashers

According to reputed appliance repair technicians and manufacturers, the average home dishwasher lasts between 10 to 15 years with regular use and proper maintenance. Even an appliance from the best dishwasher brands will only last 15 to 20 years at most.

Where is the dishwasher drain valve?

Typically the drain valve is located in close proximity to the unit's motor. It can be found elsewhere, though most times it is found close to the motor.

How to drain a dishwasher for removal?

  1. Step 1: Disconnect From the Power Supply. ...
  2. Step 2: Disconnect the Water Supply. ...
  3. Step 3: Remove the Water Supply Line. ...
  4. Step 4: Disconnect the Drain Hose. ...
  5. Step 5: Detach from the Countertop. ...
  6. Step 6: Remove the Panel. ...
  7. Step 7: Disconnect the Water Supply From the Dishwasher. ...
  8. Step 8: Loosen the Dishwasher's Front Legs.

What button do you press to drain a Frigidaire dishwasher?

Press START/CANCEL pad and the dishwasher will start a 90 second drain.

Where should the dishwasher drain?

The dishwasher discharge pipe or tubing shall rise to the underside of the counter and be fastened or otherwise held in that position before connecting to the head of the food-waste disposer or to a wye fitting in the sink tailpiece.”

Does a dishwasher have to be level to drain?

DOES A DISHWASHER NEED TO BE LEVEL? Dishwashers typically need to be level to clean properly and avoid leaks. If your dishwasher isn't level, it can lead to draining issues, standing water inside the tub or unwanted noises. If you're experiencing any of these, you might want to check if your dishwasher is level.

How to drain a dishwasher manually?

You can manually remove excess standing water by removing the bottom rack and placing absorbent towels on the bottom of your dishwasher to soak up the remaining water. If your dishwasher has standing water due to an interrupted wash cycle, simply run another cycle without interruption.

Can dishwasher drain directly to garbage disposal?

Draining into the garbage disposal is pretty much a standard way to connect the dishwasher outlet to drain. There is little or no chance of a clogged drain with this setup.

Where is the drain plug on a dishwasher?

The plug is located right inside the nipple where the drain hose from the dishwasher attaches to the disposal. If it's not removed, the dishwasher can't drain properly. If the plug has been removed, it's possible the disposer is clogged with debris. Clear out the drain tube from any obstructions.

Where to drill hole for dishwasher drain hose?

If needed, drill a 1¹⁄₂" (3.8 cm) diameter hole in cabinet wall or side of the opening closest to the sink. Route drain hose as shown through hole in cabinet to the front center of opening where drain connection will be made. Tape drain hose to the floor in area shown.

How to drain a dishwasher without a garbage disposal?

Drain Connection With Air Gap (But No Garbage Disposal)
  1. Connect Hose to Air Gap. First, connect the dishwasher drain hose to the small side of the air gap, mounted on the countertop or sink deck. ...
  2. Connect Hose to Drain Pipe. ...
  3. Secure With Hose Clamps.

Do all dishwashers have a food trap?

All dishwashers have a filter, however not all of them require regular maintenance. The location, type and instructions about how to keep the dishwasher clean may vary depending on the make and model of the appliance. Be sure to consult your product manual before removing and cleaning the filter.

Previous article
How much does it cost to do a 12x12 kitchen?
Next article
Can the wrong filter damage a furnace?