Dishwasher Not Draining? Here's Some Quick Advice

Is it a plumbing problem - or an appliance problem? Sometimes that is the question. And if you're not sure, just call. There are certain issues that come up frequently for our customers, and we're bound to have some good advice.

One of those not so uncommon issues is the non-draining dishwasher (darn). Here's our quick advice on the matter: Nine times out of ten, if your dishwasher seems to be running fine but not draining properly, it's an appliance problem - not a plumbing problem.

In our experience, if water from the dishwasher is reaching the sink but not draining, there is a clog somewhere in the drain line that we can clear for you, but if the water isn't making it out of the dishwasher, it's probably the pump on the dishwasher that's acting up.

In the latter case, rather than waste your time with a service call from us, we think your best bet is to start with an appliance repair person. Call if you're not sure - and we can recommend a repair person if you'd like, but that would be our advice.

Dishwashers, stoves, washers and dryers are all appliances we don't fool with. We leave those repairs to the people whose expertise it is to repair them - and who most likely have the parts available. Of course if it's a water or gas supply problem to any one of these appliances, then we're your guys. Or if you have any kind of drainage problem, we're on it.

Water heaters and garbage disposals are exceptions to this maybe over-generalized appliance rule. We can repair them or replace them if necessary.