Hi. I noticed that the dishes in my dishwasher weren't dry or clean, so I ran it again. Now I looked and there is about two inches of water sitting in the bottom. I recently replaced the garbage disposal (about a week ago) and also have no hot water coming from my kitchen sink. That started about a month ago - I thought maybe my lines were clogged or something, but not sure what to do about any of it.

I'm a single 30-year old woman doing this on her own.

XenoSapien

When you run the dishwasher, does it make a "hum" sound? If so, the motor is locked up. You'll definitely need hot water for the dishwasher...

XenoSapien

Shellyp

Yeah, it does seem to make a humming noise - how do I check that? Also, how do I drain the water that's in there?

XenoSapien

You'll have to un-jam the motor first. Down at the bottom of the dishwasher (you'll need either a phillips screw-driver or 1/4 nut screwdriver) are cover plates. Remove them, and that will expose the motor.

Then, manually spin the fan blade that should be visible inside the motor.

XenoSapien

Shellyp

Hi! I just realized what's going on - when my friend installed the new garbage disposal he didn't knock that plug out before he connected the dishwasher. Can I do that with it still attached, just with a hammer and screwdriver and turn the electricity off?

XenoSapien

You won't have to worry about the electrical. Just take the "boot" off that is attatched to the disposal. Then take the screwdriver and hammer.

XenoSapien

Shellyp

Great! Got it! So, now what should I do to drain the water, just run the dishswasher?

Also, what should I do to try to figure out why I'm not getting hot water to my kitchen sink?

XenoSapien

Yes, just run the dishwasher now. Make sure the valve for your d/w and sink are opened all the way---turn counter-clock wise.

XenoSapien

speedball1

Are you getting hot water to your dishwasher? What brand of kitchen faucet do you have? Single handle or two knobs? When the disposal was installed some crud might have been knocked loose from the pipe walls and now it's been sucked up into the faucet where it's clogging it up. You may have to open the faucet up and flush it and the supplies out. regards, Tom

Shellyp

I think I am getting hot water to my dishwasher. I didn't think I was but I opened the door last night after it ran and it was hot inside - I'm guessing hot water would be the only way for it to warm.

I have a Price Pfister single handle faucet.

The hot water was out actually about three weeks before I replaced the garbage disposal. I haven't cleaned out my hot water heater in about a year.

I tried to take the faucet apart last night - I was able to take the screw plug and screw out, but the handl came off and I didn't see what to do next to get inside and clean it out. I found the parts breakdown here:

Parts Explosion

So, you're probably right that it's junk in the pipes but I don't know what to do next to clean them out. I think I'll have to do it to one of the sinks in my master bath also.

Also - how do I flush out my hot water heater?

Thanks SO much for your help - I'm a girl learnin' to do it on her own. ;D