If you open your dishwasher to find a puddle of standing water inside, don’t worry. There are a few things you can do to solve this problem.
- Before you panic, run the dishwasher again. Sometimes, the washing cycle gets interrupted and the unit doesn’t finish draining.
- Run your garbage disposal. Your dishwasher drain hose and your garbage disposal are connected, which means that a clogged garbage disposal can make it hard for the dishwasher to empty.
- Check the detergent. Did you accidentally put regular dishwashing soap into your dishwasher instead of the usual detergent? This can cause the dishwasher to produce so many suds that it can’t drain properly. Just run it again to clear everything out.
- Clean out your drain basket. Every dishwasher has one of these. It’s where larger chunks of debris collect so they don’t get into your pipes. However, a clogged drain basket can make it hard for the dishwasher to drain effectively, too.
- Check, clean, and/or replace your drain hose. You’ll need to slide the dishwasher out from under your counter. Unplug it, put towels under it, and disconnect the small hose. Test it for clogs and kinks. If it isn’t clear, get a new one from your local hardware store and replace it entirely.
If you’re not comfortable troubleshooting your own dishwasher, that’s ok! Reach out to us at Larry & Sons and we’ll fix it fast. Before you know it, your dishwasher will be draining normally again. Our expert plumbers at Larry & Sons are ready and well equipped to handle any plumbing service you may need, even when you have late night emergencies. Call us for leak detection or drain cleaning in Hagerstown, MD right away, don’t wait!
