Is Your Dishwasher Not Draining? | 3 Reasons Why Water is in the Bottom of Your Dishwasher

Jim shares the three reasons why you have water at the bottom of your dishwasher, either after a wash or at any time. He shares an easy way to identify the cause of your dishwasher not draining and how to fix it yourself.

Save yourself some money with these plumbing tips from Jim.

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Why is there water left in the bottom of my dishwasher? Here are the reasons why from the Grumpy Plumber:
1. dishwasher hose is installed at the bottom of your cabinet, causing sink water to fill your dishwasher
2. an air gap (not recommended) valve is attached to your sink, from the dishwasher hose, and is causing problems. The air gap is clogged or the hose to it is clogged.
3. a check valve is installed on your dishwasher hose and it is stuck open

The simple fix is in the video.

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[TheGrumpyPlumber]

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[charlottehernandez]

Thank you so much! My husband was about to call a professional and we can’t afford that right now and you saved me a ton. Plus, now he thinks I’m extra handy.

[kyleuncw]

Helped me out. Didn't realize my new disposal had a plug I had to knock out with a screw driver, until you mentioned the check valve.

[zzee]

My dishwasher wasn’t draining for over a week. Your instructions helped me locate the clog in the air gap and clear it. Thanks much for the explanation. It worked well for me.

[rajyashreetripathi]

Thank you for the video. I am totally inexperienced when it comes to any appliance repairs. Within the first minute of watching your clip, I turned the garbage disposal ON, put the DW on DRAIN, turned the dosposal ON for 15 seconds, and ran a regular load. There was no stagnant water, and the dishes came out clean.
Thanks again.

[elenavega]

I spent 2 hours trying to find a solution until I found you! THANKS!

[numberonefan]

Love that the Grumpy plumber refers you to a different professional in each video if you don't like his answer! I liked his answer in the prior video without the visual. With the visual, I am confident I understand his answer. Bravo!

[tiffanybullman]

Thank you! I was able to fix the sitting water problem in my dishwasher in a few minutes thanks to your video.

[buhayamerica]

Just followed your tips and i was able to fix my dishwasher. Found a clog on the air gap and was able to unclog it. Thank you so much. 😀

[jamesjamiem]

Thank you so much! Your video was helpful and I was so happy when I saw it worked! Running the drain hose OVER the cabinet was the trick!

[morganh]

This was so helpful. As a single mom on a very limited budget & very little plumbing knowledge this makes me feel like I can fix my dishwasher myself

[notebookluvr]

Please tell your father thank you so much from me! I saw water pooled at the bottom of my dishwasher and immediately panic set in. I have a lot of anxiety. After watching the two videos you shared about this, I had a much better understanding of how this all works, and I realized that water had backed up from my sink. I had previously watched other vids and they said to clean this and that out. Tried it and it was still there. I kept looking for more info and came across your videos. I have the hose he described that goes from the disposal back to the bottom corner of the inside of the cabinet. I set the dishwasher to drain, it did, and it's fine now! No more pool of water! 😁

[thestruggleisrealpc]

Thank you, I was able diagnose and fix my dishwasher after watching this video!

[jss]

Good stuff, I just watched your other video and was thinking I wish they actually showed the hose under the sink as a visual. And here we are

[bjsongster]

Thanks for your speedy response! I have rental property and this is the 2nd time there’s been a God awful stench. Oddly enough this property has a garbage disposal so next week I’m going to check it out and raise the outtake hose which is connected from the dishwasher to the garbage disposal!
You know your stuff!
Thanks Daddy!
Thank your Son for helping with the making of the video!
It’s perfectly clear now!!!
You’re the best!
Your friend,
Barry

[soldiersvejk]

Thank you! Glad that air searched the problem and get this video before proceeding with expensive repairs.

[kmc]

lol i am 71 years old too i found like a hard build up of white material very hard cleaned it out of my the drain sump with some difficulty ( i think just cheap generic soap) i got a replacement hose and will make my install just as you instructed bringing it up high. thank you for your help.

[tamt]

Thank you so much for sharing your father’s expertise. I am learning so much!!💕

[blackjaminboy]

My dishwasher drain hose wasn't very long but I still was able to put it 3-4 inches above where it drains into so that is much better than always being uphill. Thank you!

[healthyeasycooking]

Thank you so much
I bought a brand-new dishwasher but it does not drain . This makes so much sense