No one wants to deal with plumbing issues, but they happen, which is why it’s important to know what to do when plumbing problems arise.

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If you’re currently dealing with your dishwasher backing up into the sink, you’re in luck ‘ well, sort of. On the bright side, this is one of the better plumbing problems to have and can typically be fixed with a little DIY magic and plumbing know-how.

Top 4 Reasons for Dishwasher Backing Up Into Sink

Read on to learn the most common reasons why your dishwasher backs up into the sink and what you can do about it.

1. Obstruction in the Dishwasher

Sometimes, a bit of pooling water at the bottom of your dishwasher is totally normal, but there shouldn’t be a significant amount of water. If there is, there’s likely an obstruction in the dishwasher which is causing the appliance to back up into the sink.

If you notice there’s a significant amount of standing water in the bottom of your dishwasher, check to see if anything is obstructing the drain in the back of the appliance.

Remove any food particles that may be causing drainage problems. Also, be sure to check the drain hose. The drain hose may have developed a kink or have residue built up due to using the wrong detergent. Removing the kink and cleaning the hose with vinegar should solve the problem.

2. Garbage Disposal Drain Plug

Garbage disposals come with drain plugs to drain the water from the sink or dishwasher. When the plug becomes blocked, water will back up into the sink. After unplugging the power from the disposal, check to see if the plug is clogged.

The drain plug covers the hole where the garbage disposal connects to the dishwasher. But if the drain plug is left on, it can result in water improperly draining from the appliance.

This typically occurs when a new garbage disposal is installed. Check to see if the drain plug has been left on. If it has, simply remove it and your appliance should drain normally.

3. Clogged Sink

A simple sink clog can prevent water from draining properly and result in water backing up when you run your dishwasher. This may seem like an obvious reason, but it does cause water to back up from time to time.

Sinks clogs can easily be removed by either running the garbage disposal, cleaning the sink with a heavy-duty drain cleaner, or using a drain snake to free the blockage.

4. Blocked Air Gap

Not all kitchen sinks have an air gap installed, but if yours does, it may be blocked.

The air gap is located on the top of the sink, typically next to the faucet. The air gap acts as a backflow prevention system and can become clogged after extensive use.

Blockage in the air gap can prevent the dishwasher from draining, which will cause water to back up into the sink when the dishwasher is running.

If you see water flowing from the air gap, there’s most likely a clog.

Unscrew the top and look for anything that may cause the gap to be blocked. If you can’t locate the blockage then a more serious problem could be occurring that will need the assistance of a plumber.

Contact Performance for Plumbing Repair Service in Clearwater, FL

If water is backing up into your dishwasher and you need a repair now, our team wants to help. At Performance, we offer comprehensive plumbing services to the Tampa Bay area and beyond. With the top service plumbers in the area, we’re ready to help put an end to your plumbing woes.

Contact us today for all of your plumbing needs in the Tampa area.