Ask The Plumber

My Dishwasher Doesn't Drain All The Way, Is It Broken?

First, it should be noted that dishwashers do not drain completely after a finished cycle and this is normal.

Dishwashers are designed to leave some water in the unit to ensure that the heating element doesn’t overheat. If you suddenly begin to experience a large amount of water being retained in your dishwasher, you have a problem.

Some of the most common reasons include that the drain hose isn’t working properly, the sump pump isn’t working correctly, or possibly there is a plumbing problem in your home’s drain lines.

You may want to remove the cover from the air gap and clean it out. This may remove any blockage that could be causing the dishwasher problems while draining. You’ll also want to examine the drain hose and ensure that it is free from anything that would hinder the water from draining completely. It’s also possible that the hose has something obstructing it and will need to be flushed to remove the object. If you have checked the air gap and the drain hose and can’t locate the problem, then you may want to consider calling a professional plumber. He may need to replace the drain valve or hose.