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. :p

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

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?

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

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?

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

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? :(

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

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

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

If you have hot water to the dishwasher then the hot water supply might be clear. This puts the problem in the faucet itself. I'll keep trfying to pull up a cutaway of your faucet but I'm having a problem downloading your link. Here's how to flush your water heater.
For long life and fewer troubles you should keep your heater clear of mineral build-up by flushing on a regular schedule. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run until the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) followed by white or yellow grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). This shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Do this monthly to keep it clear. Now flush out your hot water lines on ALL fixtures that are affected . Now pull each aerator and clean the screens. Be sure you put them back togather the same way you took them out. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. Hope this helps, Tom

Hi Tom! Sorry I haven't written back before now - I didn't realize it went to the second page! Let's see if I can type out the address:

Parts Explosion

I think mine is most like the one on page 11 of the Kitchen series - 34 Series Genesis, with a loop handle.

I'm pretty sure I can flush the hot water heater myself - so you don't drain the entire thing, just until it runs clear? I remember my neighbor doing this for me a year ago and he made sure to put the other end of the hose in the road and stay clear because it would be hot... is this the same process probably?

Thanks so much!!

To flush out your kitchen faucet and hot water supply, Shut the water off under the counter and remove the handle and chrome cap. Now unscrew the retaining nut and pull the cartridge and check valve up and out. Check the inlet ports of the cartridge for trash and look thye check valve over also. Now turn the hot water on for a moment to flush out the supply and open valve body. Reassemble and test. If you still have a problem replace the cartridge4. Good luck, Tom

I can't figure out how to take the cap off. :( I've taken of the handle but am not sure how to take the cap off to be able to take the cartridge, etc. off.

w w w.pricepfister.com/website/asp/ProductResources.asp?titleid=2

Any suggestions on how to take the "cap" off the faucet after I get the handle off?