Have you ever opened your dishwasher only to discover that it’s filled with water that just won’t drain? This is a common problem that can happen especially to people who have recently had a garbage disposal installed within their sink. So, you may be asking yourself why is my dishwasher backed up with water? The most common problems include flood blockages and failure to remove plastic plugs which we will discuss below.
When it comes to water back up the master plumbing team at Five Star Plumbing has seen it all and are ready to help. With the expertise of nearly 30 years’ experience Five Star Plumbing can help with any job, big or small.
Why is my dishwasher backed up with water? 2 Potential Reasons
Food Blockages
Before you start meddling around with your garbage disposal, first check the drain plugs in the dishwasher pan. It is possible that large pieces of food are clogging up these plugs, this would prevent water within the dishwasher to drain. Simply clean out the dishwasher of any possible debris and see if the water starts to drain. If it does not drain, head over to your garbage disposal.
Removing the Plastic Plug
The draining tube from your dishwasher connects into a port on the garbage disposal. New disposals come with a plastic plug within the connecting port that needs to be removed before installation. However, they are often left in by accident and will prevent water from draining out of the dishwasher properly.
In order to address this, we have a few safety steps laid out below:
- Before doing anything, unplug the garbage disposal (always use safety first).
- Loosen the clamp that is holding the rubber drainage tube in place and pull it off.
- Place your screwdriver into the port and feel for a plastic plug. If you can’t find a plastic plug that is blocking the entrance of the port, then you have a blockage somewhere else and you should contact your local plumber. However, if you do locate the plastic plug, then all you need to do is remove it.
- Grab a hammer and lightly tap the back of your screwdriver until the plastic piece pops off. Make sure all of the plastic plug has popped off rather than just a single piece of it.
- Reach into the disposal via the sink and remove the plastic plug before plugging the disposal back in. Reconnect the drainage tube, turn the garbage disposal and dishwasher back on, and the water should properly drain from the dishwasher into the garbage disposal.
Again, these are the two most common reasons as to why your dishwasher might be backed up with water. With these simple steps hopefully, you will be able to take care of the problem at hand personally. However, it might be a bit more complex than just blockages, or removing a plastic plug.
If however, you are finding the problem bigger than either of these fixes or are feeling overwhelmed than call in the experts at Five Star Plumbing. If you’re looking for local plumbers, you’re in the right place. Five Star Plumbing Services is owned and operated by Master Plumber Chris Larichiuta. Chris and his team can handle any plumbing repair or installation.
Need Help From An Experienced Plumber?
Are you in need of service on your well pump? Contact Five Star Plumbing today. We provide homeowners throughout Baltimore County and Harford County with residential plumbing services. Contact us today or give us a call at 410-836-0118 to schedule your appointment.
