The drain valve in a dishwasher regulates the amount of water in the unit at any given time and also removes the dirt washed from the dishes during the cycle. When this part of the dishwasher breaks down, several signs are visible. While some of these symptoms are mild annoyances, others make the dishwasher virtually unusable.
Perpetual Fill Cycle
When the washer cycle starts, the water inlet valve fills the washtub with enough water to activate a floater switch. Once the switch is activated, the filling stops and the dishwasher cycles to the next part of the wash. If the drain valve is jammed in the open position, the water drains as soon as it enters the washtub. Because the floater switch is never activated, the washer never cycles to the next segment of the wash. This not only prevents the dishwasher from cleaning dishes, it also wastes a great deal of water. A drain valve that will not close may require disassembly of the washer for repair or replacement. Contact a service professional for options.
Dirty Dishes
A sign of dirty dishes occurs when a drain valve that is not stuck in the open position is instead in the closed position. The drain valve activates during the wash, pulling out dirt and grime and allowing clean water to hit the dishes from the jets. Dirty dishes means either that not enough water was sprayed onto the dishes for adequate cleaning, or that soiled water was used during the cleaning process. If the drain valve is stuck open enough for a slow leak, dishes will exhibit dried-on soil. If the drain valve is locked in the closed position and does not drain before the rinse cycle, dirty water and bits of loose debris may cover the dishwasher's contents.
Leftover Water
Another sign of a closed drain valve is leftover water in the tank. This water is often dirty, since neither the water nor the dirt from the dishes is allowed to drain from the dishwasher tub after the cycle is ended. Water levels range from a deep puddle that sits inside the washtub after the wash to a flooding burst of water coming out of the dishwasher as the door opens.
Leaks During Cycle
A large amount of water can sometimes overpower the seal and cause water to leak from the unit as the washer is in cycle. Leaks can occur anytime after the fill segment of the wash and range in intensity from trickles coming through the dishwasher gasket to steady streams of water leaking from the sides or the bottom of the unit.
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