Dishwasher Not Draining

When you open your dishwasher door after running a wash cycle, the last thing you expect to find is dirty water in the base of the unit. When you see this unexpected and unwelcome surprise, your first thought is that the dishwasher is broken. However, it is essential to know that several issues could have caused this messy backup that are not related to the capability of your dishwasher.

The Garbage Disposal Is To Blame

If your dishwasher is not draining all the water after a wash cycle, the problem could be its next-door neighbor. First, check to see if your garbage disposal is clogged or full of waste blocking the dishwasher outlet. The clog or blockage could also be in the disposal side of your sink. Next, run the disposal for a few minutes while also running hot water to ensure that there are no food clogs stopping the water from being pumped out of the dishwasher.

Check The Dishwasher Drain Hose

First, check under the sink to ensure that the drain hose is correctly attached to the drain line. In most cases, if this is the issue, you would have noticed a flood of water from under the sink. But it is always a good idea to check the connection. Also, look for any kinks or tight bends in the drain hose. This can happen accidentally when you are retrieving something from under the sink or returning it there.

Finally, disconnect the drain hose from the drain and the pump to ensure that there are no clogs in the line. You can place the hose in the bathtub and fill it from one end to be sure that the water is flowing freely. This test will also reveal any leaks in the hose that could be creating moisture under your kitchen sink.

Check The Dishwasher Drain Filter

Unless you have taken a good look inside the dishwasher, you might not be aware of the filter that covers the drain. And there is also a good chance that you have never cleaned it since you did not know it was there. So check the filter to see if it is clogged and stopping the dirty water from being removed from the dishwasher correctly.

There could be a large amount of food waste caked into the filter that needs to be removed. This is an excellent job to do while wearing gloves, as the debris can be relatively smelly and nasty. In addition, removing the food scraps should allow the water to enter the dishwasher drain more freely. And it will go a long way to eliminating the sour or rotten odor emanating from the unit.

If these three common culprits were not the cause of the dirty water in your dishwasher, it is time to call in a professional. Call 612-340-1444 to schedule an appointment with the licensed plumbers at Paul Bunyan Plumbing And Drain. Our licensed plumber will locate the problem and provide you with a free estimate for a cost-effective solution.