Five Signs Your Dishwasher and Kitchen Plumbing Might Be Clogged

Dishwashers are great appliances to have in the home to take care of washing and sanitizing our dishes. Yet, when things go wrong and the dishwasher starts acting up, it can be quite a nightmare as water starts pouring out the sides and onto the kitchen floor. There can be a host of plumbing problems that are causing the water in the dishwasher to overflow out of the appliance.

The first thing you will want to do is stop the dishwasher cycle by opening the door. Next, you will want to shut the power supply off in the breaker box as a precaution. Now you are ready to start checking the kitchen plumbing for signs of clogs.

1. Check the drain screens and filter inside the dishwasher.

If there is excess food and grease buildup on the drain screens and filter basket, water will not drain as quickly and can remain in the machine as the cycle runs. Eventually, this can cause water to come pouring out the sides.

It is a good idea to clean the screens and filter every few cycles. Most new dishwashers have removable screens and filters you can rinse off with hot water. If you notice they are very greasy, you can wash them by hand using mild dishwashing detergent. Make sure to rinse well to remove all soap before putting them back into the dishwasher.

2. Check the kitchen sink drain.

Run water down the drain on the side of the sink that the dishwasher discharge hose is connected to and see if water drains correctly. If it backs up into the sink or is draining slowly, then the problem is in the drain line. This is easy to fix by calling your plumber for a drain cleaning service.

3. Check the garbage disposal.

If you have a garbage disposal, the dishwasher discharge hose is connected to the disposal. If the disposal has excess food still in it that it hasn’t fully broken down, it can cause a clog. Turn on the cold water and run the disposal.

If the unit won’t turn on, you need to reset it by pressing the red button on the bottom of the unit. Make sure the power switch is off when you push the reset button. After running the disposal, make sure water is draining correctly. If not, then you may have a drain clog.

If the disposal still won’t turn on after pressing the red button, or if it starts and then stops, there is a problem with the disposal. This is when you want to call your plumber and have them find out what is wrong with the disposal. Chances are, the disposal problem is what is preventing your dishwasher from draining.

4. Check the dishwasher drain hose.

Sometimes food and grease can cause a clog to form inside the dishwasher drain hose. The easiest way to check this is to remove the hose from under the sink and hang it into a bucket. Next, power up the dishwasher and select a quick wash cycle and verify that water pumps out the dishwasher. If not, you will need to have your plumber clean the dishwasher drain hose or replace it.

5. Make sure the dishwasher door seal and door are fully closed.

If a pot, pan, or handle sticks too far out of the dishwasher baskets and into the door area, it can be just enough to keep the door from fully closing and sealing correctly. You can also check the door seal and wipe off any excess food and grease, as these things can also prevent a tight seal to keep water in.

If you are having kitchen plumbing problems or plumbing issues in other areas of the home, call MET Plumbing & Air Conditioning at 281-599-3336 for help today! We also offer 24/7 plumbing emergency service in Katy and the greater Houston areas.