4 Clogged Dishwasher Warning Signs – and How to Fix It

If you’ve never heard of Murphy’s law before, it states that, “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”. We’ve made a slight plumbing-related addendum to Murphy’s law, which we’re calling ‘Murphy and Mike Diamond’s law’. Murphy and Mike Diamond’s law states: “Anything that can go wrong with your home plumbing, will go wrong. And it will go wrong at the most inconvenient time possible.” Your dishwasher is a perfect example.

Did you know that dishwashers can get clogged just the same as drains or toilets? Since they’re connected to your kitchen sink’s water supply line, they have the same potential pitfalls as other plumbing appliances. Here are five warning signs that your dishwasher has clogged and how to fix it. Murphy and Mike Diamond’s law states things are going to go wrong, after all, so you might as well be prepared for when they do.

It isn’t cleaning your dishes

This one is the most obvious sign, and the sign that homeowners tend to notice first. If you find that your “washed” dishes look the same as they did before you started the washer after you run them, you might have a problem.

If you notice this one time, make sure to run your dishwasher again with additional detergent to verify your assumption.

It makes weird sounds when you run it

Dishwashers make noise. We know this. Dishes can rattle around, there’s the sound of water running, and so on. These sounds are normal. However, sometimes there are other sounds that are of a more ominous nature.

Loud humming, shaking, or thumping can be a sign that there is an issue within the pump or a clog in the valves. These problems lead to built-up pressure.

Water backs up in your sink when you run it

Your kitchen sink and dishwasher are connected to the same main water line. If water backs up in your sink when you use your dishwasher, there’s probably a clog driving the water meant for the dishwasher somewhere else.

There’s water in the dishwasher after it runs

If you find dirty water pooled in the bottom of the dishwasher after it runs, it’s probably because the washer isn’t draining properly.

This is problematic since the still water can cause mold and bacteria growth which will spread to dishes inside – yuck!

 

These are the main signs that your dishwasher is clogged. When it happens to you, your next question is going to be: how can I fix it? Because dishwashers are complex machines, we recommend not going the DIY route unless you’re very comfortable with home plumbing.

If you’re not, don’t worry! All you have to do is call in the professionals like Mike Diamond. We’ll be able to diagnose the problem and fix it within a single visit. A working dishwasher is one of life’s greatest simple pleasures, so don’t go without yours any longer than you need to. Call today!