4 Reasons Your Dishwasher is Backed Up

Are you having issues with your dishwasher not draining properly? It’s frustrating when you’re faced with a pool of stagnant water and can’t find the issue. In this post, we’ll cover the four most common reasons for a clogged dishwasher and some simple solutions to get it working properly again.

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Most common causes of a clogged dishwasher

1. Food stuck in the filter

The basket at the bottom of your machine is there to catch any food that comes off plates and cutlery. This stops all that gunk clogging up the pipes within the machine. But if enough food gets trapped in this basket and you don’t remove it, it can stop water draining from the machine properly.

Not only will this cause water to pool at the bottom of your machine, it will also cause a stale smell to come from your dishwasher.

Once a week, take this basket out of the machine and soak it in hot water and soap to break down the build-up. Wipe it off and replace it before using the dishwasher again.

2. Clog in the drain hose

When your dishwasher drains, the water goes through a hose connected to your outside drainpipe. When enough food and build-up get past your filter, this pipe can become clogged so the water can’t drain away.

If the pipe is severely clogged, it will need to be disconnected and cleaned out. If you’re worried about doing this yourself, a plumber can do this job for you quickly and easily.

3. Clogged outdoor drain

Your outside drain can quickly become filled with debris, dirt, and fallen leaves, especially in the winter months. If this is clogged, you’ll find your sink and dishwasher don’t drain properly and you may hear a loud gurgling sound coming from the pipes.

If this happens and you can’t find an issue inside your home, pop outside and check if your outside drain is clear. This is usually a quick and easy fix and will save you calling out a plumber unnecessarily.

4. Blocked sewer line

If you’ve done all these simple checks and you’re still having problems, there might be something more serious causing the clog.

If the waste pipe has a block underground, you’ll find your water takes a long time to drain away and you might even have a foul smell coming from your drains. These blocks can be caused by tree roots or cracks if the pipes are old.

If this is the issue, you might also notice your toilet doesn’t flush properly or your shower tray fills with water quickly.

You’ll need a plumber immediately if you suspect an issue with your waste pipe or sewer line.

Plumbing services for clogged drains in Sussex

If you’re having issues with your dishwasher or clogged drains that you can’t fix on your own, call us today. We’ll find the source of the issue and give you a free quote to get it fixed for you.