What to Do if Your Dishwasher Isn’t Draining

Looking to win a party bet?  Here’s a good one:  the next time you’re with a group of people, bet someone that they can’t tell you exactly how many drains they have in their home. Almost every time, they’ll take the bet and then add up all their sinks, toilets, and maybe even their washing machine. But rarely do people include their dishwasher in the count, and you know what that means – you win the bet.

You see, even though you don’t use your dishwasher to drain water, it does. Otherwise you’d have quite the watery mess on your hands not to mention dishes soaking in a mixture of food scraps and sudsy water.  But what happens when those food scraps prevent your dishwasher from draining? It’s worth knowing the answer to that one, too, because sooner or later, it’s bound to happen.

So, if you see standing water at the bottom of your dishwasher, here’s how to try to fix the problem on your own.

1. Clear your garbage disposal. If your dishwasher drains through your garbage disposal – which is frequently the case – you’ll want to keep your garbage disposal as food-free as possible. Because when it’s full, the water can back up and leave standing water in your dishwasher.
2. Clean your air gap. Many kitchens include an air gap installed on the counter that prevents water from your sink backing up into your dishwasher. If the air gap is clogged with buildup, it can cause water to accumulate in your dishwasher. One common sign of a clogged air gap is water flooding onto your counter. To clear the air gap, take off the cap and remove any visible debris.
3. Break up drain clogs with a homemade solution. If your dishwasher drain is clogged and water is backing up, pour a half cup each of baking soda and distilled white vinegar down the basket at the bottom of the dishwasher. Follow that up with a tea kettle full of boiling hot water. That combination is very often enough to break up the clog, even if it means repeating the process.

Still, when home DIY remedies don’t work, Your 1 Plumber gets to work on your behalf.  For a clogged dishwasher problem or any other plumbing need at all, contact us prompt and dependable service.