A dishwasher is a critical appliance for any home. However, when or if it breaks down, you might easily forgo the costly repair by hand washing and drying dishes. Unfortunately, this means that you’ll use about 4-5 times more water than when using the dishwasher. Although there was a time when dishwashers used more water, they today use a regulated amount of water per the guidelines of the Department of Energy. Therefore, using a dishwasher to clean the dishes today will use much less water than manually doing it by hand. This further underscores the importance of a dishwasher in ensuring the comfort and convenience of your home.
Unfortunately, this critical appliance might run into occasional problems. This means that your Deerfield Beach, FL, home’s comfort and convenience will be negatively impacted. Thus, you need to know the signs to look for, what they mean, and when they warrant a call to a professional plumber. Below are some of the signs that your dishwasher has a clog:
Signs of Dishwasher Problem Caused By a Blockage
Gurgling Sounds
Do you hear strange gurgling, thumping, and shaking sounds when your dishwasher cycles? That is a sign that water could be trying to pass through a blockage in the secondary or main sewer line. While this might not be a problem within your dishwasher, you should enlist the services of a plumber to clean the sewer line near the dishwasher.
Dishwasher Is Backing Up Into the Sink
The dishwasher is connected to or linked to the kitchen sink. If the unit is running a cycle and water starts backing up into the sink, it is highly likely that the dishwasher has a blockage. However, you can eliminate the possibility of a dishwasher clogging when running the garbage disposal unit while the dishwashing machine is off.
The Dishwasher Is Draining Slowly
If you notice water pooling in the bottom of the dishwashing unit, that is a sign that there may be a full or partial clog in the kitchen sewer line. On the other hand, it also can be a clear sign that the dishwasher drain pipe may be blocked. Either way, you should enlist the help of a plumber for further inspection.
Water Backing Up in the Dishwasher After the Completion of a Cycle
Stagnating water in the dishwasher after a cycle is completed means that the dishwasher is not properly draining. Various issues may cause this, the key among them being the blockage caused by the leftover food.
The Appliance Isn’t Cleaning the Dishes
The dishwasher might also not be cleaning your dishes at all or partially by the time the wash cycle is complete. This happens because the dishwasher doesn’t fill with water or there is a clog within the secondary or main sewer line. Again, to be clear on where the problem lies, enlist the assistance of a plumber to uncover where the problems are and act to resolve them.
Your Dishwasher Smells
Does your dishwasher throw a foul odor? A blockage may cause this in the filler basket. To ensure that the larger food particles do not clog the drain, they are filtered out by the strainer. However, particles will accumulate within the basket without routine cleaning, potentially clogging the drains and throwing that pungent odor.
Why Might Your Dishwasher Be Clogged?
Clogged Spray Bars
At times, unclean dishes can be because the spray bars or arms are clogged or blocked by food particles. The lower and upper spray bars are prone to trapping and collecting food particles. When this happens, they won’t allow the water to pass, resulting in unclean dishes. Hence, having a professional plumber come over for routine maintenance and cleaning the spray bars or arms will be among the services they will render.
Clogged Filter Basket
Your dishwasher features a filter basket fitted within the drain, preventing food scraps and other items from entering the pipes. The filler basket should be regularly cleaned to ensure that the dishes leave the appliance sparkling clean. If your Deerfield Beach, FL, home receives hard water, you might need to have a plumber install a water-softening solution.
Broken Sewer Line
Some homeowners do not think that broken sewer lines may occasionally clog clogged dishwashers. However, a broken sewer pipe can block your home’s entire drainage system. If the toilets, dishwashers, or shower drains don’t drain properly, then it is time to have a professional assess your plumbing systems.
Clogged Drain Hose
The dishwasher’s used water drains through a hose connected to the kitchen sink drains or the garbage disposal. There can be an accumulation of sludge or other materials within the drains, causing clogs and backups. Cleaning the drainpipe of your dishwasher and other pipes under the sink will clear the clogs if they’re the source of the drainage issue.
Clogged Drains
The dishwasher might not properly drain if there’s a clog deep down the drains or sewer line. But if your house has more than one clogged drain or water gurgles back up into your sink when the dishwasher is draining, there may be a serious clog deep down the drain that has nothing to do with the dishwasher. Hire a plumber for a drain cleaning service if you suspect they are clogged.
Garbage Disposal
The dishwasher may become clogged after you install a garbage disposal unit, and not remove the knockout plug during the installation. Removing the plug will most likely resolve the dishwasher clogging issue. This underscores the importance of enlisting the help of a professional plumber.
Contact Us Now For Assistance
Have you noticed either of the signs explained above? Then your dishwasher has a clog. While you might take it upon yourself to try eliminating the clog, DIY plumbing is not recommended. It can worsen the problem at hand. Hence, contact our experienced, professional, and reliable plumbers at MainLine Plumbing if you notice any problems explained above in your Deerfield Beach, FL home.
Author Bio:
Andrew Dilaurenzio
The primary contact at Mainline Plumbing Service, you can contact Mainline Plumbing Service by phone using this number 954-466-9803. They provide 100% guaranteed customer service. They do it all. Water heaters, sewer camera video inspection, drain cleaning, slab leak repairs, leak detection, sewer line repairs, and much more.