If you have an older dishwasher in your kitchen, you may wonder whether or not the drain hose is still in good shape. If so, look for the following signs that your dishwasher's hose is worn out and needs replacing.
Kinks up Multiple Times in the Same Place
If you have noticed that your dishwasher is not draining water, you may have discovered a kink in the drain hose. While this may not affect the condition of the hose when it happens only once or twice, kinking in the same place multiple times may mean that the hose is damaged.
Whenever the hose bends, the plastic from which it is made stretches. This stretching then weakens the hose, making it more likely to kink up in the future. After a while, the area in which the hose bends will become so weak that a hole or crack may form, causing it to leak.
Cracks in the Hose
Another sign that your dishwasher's drain hose should be replaced is the presence of cracks along the hose itself. After a while, the plastic can become brittle. When exposed to pressure from the water draining through it, this pressure can then cause cracking.
At first, the cracks may not be large enough to cause leaks. However, the cracks will become bigger when constant use puts pressure against the hose. Eventually, the cracks will break open, causing a major mess when the water spills out.
Leaks Are Discovered Around the Fittings
Even if the drain hose itself is undamaged, you may discover water leaking out behind and under the dishwasher. If so, there is a good possibility that water is leaking from the end fittings of the hose.
Water leaks coming from the fittings could be caused by two things. First, the fittings themselves may have cracked. Second, the washers may be worn out, allowing water to leak through the connection.
Before replacing the entire hose, first replace the washers to see if they are the culprits. You can ask a plumbing and appliance parts store for the right ones for your hose. If replacing the washers does not stop the leaks, you may need to replace the entire drain hose.
If you find any of the above signs, your dishwasher's drain hose probably needs to be replaced. However, if you are not sure if there is also a problem with the plumbing parts attached to the drain hose, you should have a professional inspect the setup.
Share