Why is My Dishwasher Clogged?

Why Isn’t my Dishwasher Draining?

Dishwashers are a great asset to your home. They save you time and offer a better way to sanitize your dishes keeping your family safe. But, just like your kitchen sink, your dishwasher can become clogged for many reasons. Bill Howe has been clearing drain clogs in san Diego for over 35 years and are experts at getting your problem fixed quickly and affordably.

While a little water left on the bottom of your dishwasher might be normal, you may have a drain clog if you find a large amount standing or if you notice water underneath the dishwasher during or after a cycle.

Before you call one of Bill Howes professional plumbers in san Diego, there are a few things you can check on your own.

Disposal and air gap:

If your dishwasher is hooked up properly, it will be connected to an air gap and drain through the garbage disposal. You can try on the water and while letting it run switch on your disposal and to see if there are remaining food particles to clear. Try letting it run for about 30-45 seconds.

Is the kitchen sink clogged?

If you do not have a disposal and air gap, and there is a good amount of standing water, check your sink for clogs. Let the water run for a short time and see if the sink fills. If this happens, you may have a clog in the line that will require a professional plumber to snake the line.

Is there an obstruction inside the dishwasher?

If your sink is draining, but the dishwasher is still full, it could be a clog or a problem with the dishwasher appliance itself. You can pull out the bottom rack of the dishwasher and check the drain area for food or debris that may be closing off the drain from inside. If there is no obstruction, it could be the drain hose. If you are handy, you can unplug the dishwasher and check the hose connections. You will want to place towels around the dishwasher and remove the standing water with a cup and ShopVac before trying to move the dishwasher out. Be sure to turn off the breaker to ensure the power is off!

If you find that all the drains are clear, there is no obstruction in the dishwasher, and the hoses are connected and have no blockage in the line, your dishwasher’s drain pump may need repaired or replaced. Bill Howes expert plumbers in san Diego can provide a free on-site estimate to determine if it is a drain problem or an appliance issue before you call an alliance repair service.

Call 1-800-Bill Howe (245-5469) and one of our representatives will help determine if you need to schedule a snaking or estimate. Voted San Diego’s best plumber, because we know Howe!