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Old 09-30-2016, 08:26 AM
 
8,170 posts, read 6,035,273 times
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We finally took apart the non draining dishwasher last night. The water lines were all filled with this chalky white substance. what is it and how can I prevent the dishwasher from needing to be uninstalled every year for line declogging?

I had previously tried vinegar to clean it. The dishwasher was installed March 2015.
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Old 09-30-2016, 10:44 AM
 
Location: Johns Creek, GA
17,475 posts, read 66,054,754 times
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Two things-

1- the drain line is not routed correctly, leaving too much water and waste in the line.

2- using powder d/w detergent? Change to a gel/liquid type.
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Old 09-30-2016, 10:59 AM
 
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Cheap detergents have fillers and are no bargain. Just go for Cascade or something like that.
If your water is naturally hard, some of the buildup could be lime. Water tests for lime are cheap.

An aside, water usage in the new dishwashers is limited. Mine uses 7 gallons, no matter what the cycle. The small difference in electric cost between the cycles makes it most practical for me to set mine on "heavy wash," where there is more time spent cleaning and more crud goes out in the first cycle, leaving the other rinses practically clear water.
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Old 09-30-2016, 11:00 AM
 
Location: zippidy doo dah
915 posts, read 1,625,681 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LowonLuck View Post
We finally took apart the non draining dishwasher last night. The water lines were all filled with this chalky white substance. what is it and how can I prevent the dishwasher from needing to be uninstalled every year for line declogging?

I had previously tried vinegar to clean it. The dishwasher was installed March 2015.
Hmmm - was your dishwasher filling and just not draining? I'm curious as mine has gunk in the lines but would run through the cycles but didn't fill any water in. It has been a glorified storage piece for a while now but I'm curious if I should take it apart???? And I used powder ................... hmmm hmmm hmmm
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Old 09-30-2016, 11:36 AM
 
8,170 posts, read 6,035,273 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr View Post
Two things-

1- the drain line is not routed correctly, leaving too much water and waste in the line.

2- using powder d/w detergent? Change to a gel/liquid type.
Not sure about the drain lines. They were installed by a plumber last year.

I do use a gel, with jet dry rinse aid.
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Old 09-30-2016, 11:37 AM
 
8,170 posts, read 6,035,273 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by harry chickpea View Post
Cheap detergents have fillers and are no bargain. Just go for Cascade or something like that.
If your water is naturally hard, some of the buildup could be lime. Water tests for lime are cheap.

An aside, water usage in the new dishwashers is limited. Mine uses 7 gallons, no matter what the cycle. The small difference in electric cost between the cycles makes it most practical for me to set mine on "heavy wash," where there is more time spent cleaning and more crud goes out in the first cycle, leaving the other rinses practically clear water.
I use cascade!
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Old 09-30-2016, 11:42 AM
 
8,170 posts, read 6,035,273 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mzfroggez View Post
Hmmm - was your dishwasher filling and just not draining? I'm curious as mine has gunk in the lines but would run through the cycles but didn't fill any water in. It has been a glorified storage piece for a while now but I'm curious if I should take it apart???? And I used powder ................... hmmm hmmm hmmm
It is only a few years old. It runs through a cycle, but water remains in bottom and all the dishes have a white chalky residue on them.
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Old 10-01-2016, 10:14 AM
 
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
4,640 posts, read 11,937,291 times
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Are you certain it is the drain line? The reason I ask is that my dishwasher stopped draining. I thought it was my filter or drain line, but actually was something else.

In my case, it was the sink air gap. I took the cap off (it just pulls right up) and I found food particles and other gunk in it. I cleaned it out, popped it back on and it solved my problem. Anyway, just a thought.
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Old 10-04-2016, 08:52 AM
 
8,170 posts, read 6,035,273 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bande1102 View Post
Are you certain it is the drain line? The reason I ask is that my dishwasher stopped draining. I thought it was my filter or drain line, but actually was something else.

In my case, it was the sink air gap. I took the cap off (it just pulls right up) and I found food particles and other gunk in it. I cleaned it out, popped it back on and it solved my problem. Anyway, just a thought.
Yes, I removed the lines and each of the 4ft lines were packed with this chaulky textured white substance.
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Old 10-04-2016, 09:02 AM
 
24,541 posts, read 10,869,900 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LowonLuck View Post
It is only a few years old. It runs through a cycle, but water remains in bottom and all the dishes have a white chalky residue on them.
Does it have a built in heater? If not let your hot water run for a couple of minutes before turning it on. Change your rinse aid, set a cup of vinegar on the bottom of the unit one a week. What cycle are you using?
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