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If the disposal is new, the hole was not punched out where the hose connects. If the disposal hole is open, the hose is clean, then the air gap should be replaced. Its cheap and not hard to do, saves headache.
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The first thing I would check is the air gap. That is a silver or chrome thing on your countertop above the dishwasher. You can normally pull it off or twist it off. Look fore a plug. I have seen even a piece of popcon plugging it. Next check your drain line. If it goes into your garbage disposal make sure it is clear. Too many people do not run the hot water near there dishwasher before it is hot and then start the dishwasher. Todays dishwashers use very little water per EPA but need hot water to do the job.
Hope this helps
The leak in an air gap is usually caused by a clogged sink discharge line. Most of the time this is connected to the garbage disposal and there is food particulate in the drain hole where the dishwasher drain from the air gap to the garbage disposal connects.
Pull the sink connection hose off and clean the hole thoroughly. You can try testing the dishwasher/ air gap by placing the disconnected hose into a bucket during the pump out period. It should not leak. After this test...reconnect the hose to the sink connection.
If it is NOT connected to the garbage disposal then remove the hose and clean out the hole where the connection is made. This is a common problem and easily resolved by the user.
Check the drain hose stub connection at the disposal for plugging. Lots of material flying around in there which could block the stub pipe. You might consider inserting a short section of drain pipe that has a built-in stub into the regular sink drain and plug the disposal stub. Also check the screen at the bottom of the lower spray arm assembly for plugging. Clean the screen in a mixture of hot water/detergent/white vinegar for an hour or so. That will remove hard water deposits from the screen as well as any food debris. The draining process is a timed event, so it depends on fairly rapid removal of the water. Hope some of this helps!
first check your garbage disposal line and make sure that it is clear and not clogged with gunk. does water come out of the air gap when draining? Is this a GE?
cycle the dishwasher, and after it fills with water, dump 6 cups of bleach in there and let it contunue. just before it starts to drain, stop it and let it sit for an hour. restart dishwasher and let it cycle thru.
You must have your dishwasher connected directly to the garbage disposal and not through an air gap. What is happening is when you disposal fills with water it is siphoning through the drain hose back to the dishwasher. If you sink has a spare hole on the deck install air gap and run dishwasher drain through air gap first. Otherwise make sure you run Garbage disposal often so that water does not get slowed and build up inside.
take the air gap apart and clean it out. also clean hose from air gap to garbage disposal.. if the garbage disposal is new take it down and remove the plug where the drain hose from the air gap connects to it..
Some water, usually one to two cups, remaining in the bottom of the tub is normal. However, if water is covering the bottom of the tub, the dishwasher is not draining properly.
Check for paper or large objects covering or blocking the sump area in the rear of the tub.
Make sure that the right type and amount of detergent is used:
Using the wrong type or too much detergent can cause sudsing that can
prevent the dishwasher from draining. Only detergent specifically
designed for automatic dishwashers such as Electrasol®, Cascade® or Cascade Complete® should be used. If you find suds in the dishwasher.
Check disposer plug.
If a garbage disposer has been recently installed, it is possible the
disposer drain plug was not removed. The drain plug is a plastic piece
in the disposer that blocks the hole where the dishwasher hose
connects.
Please consult the Owner's Manual.
Download a free copy
of the Owners Manual and/or Installation Instructions. In the
Installation Instructions, will be the procedure for removal of the
drain plug. You may also check with the installer.
Be sure the kitchen sink drain is not clogged.
The dishwasher typically drains into the kitchen sink drain or a
garbage disposer. If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposer, run
the disposer to clear the drain system. Do not put hands into the garbage disposer. Serious injury could result.
You should always turn on your garbage disposer prior to running the
dishwasher to clean out any food or debris within the drain system.
Check drain hose where it connects below the sink for blockage or a kink in the hose.
New dishwashers come with a white corrugated drain hose, which should
be used. Re-using old, worn out drain hoses may promote kinking and
blockage. If it is neccessary to extend the length of the corrugated
drain hose, be sure the total length does not exceed 120 inches and the
extention used is not kinked or crushed. See your dishwasher
installation instructions for details.
Check the air gap if one is installed. It could be clogged.
An air gap (not part of the dishwasher) is usually located on top of
the sink. Some state or local plumbing codes require the use of an air
gap between the built-in dishwasher and the drain system of the home.
This plumbing device is used to prevent the possibility of back flow
into the dishwasher in the event of a clogged drain system. This item
is not a part of the dishwasher and, therefore, the dishwasher warranty
does not cover costs related to cleaning or repairing a drain air gap.
Typical air gaps are easy to inspect and clean. Be sure the dishwasher latch is in the OFF
position or unlatched prior to removal of the drain air gap cover.
Simply lift off the cover (usually chrome, could plastic) and unscrew
or unsnap (depending on type of air gap) the plastic cap below. Remove
any material that may have accumulated and replace the plastic cap and
chrome cover. This simple procedure should be followed any time the
dishwasher fails to drain properly.
View a short video about cleaning the air gap: Play Video
Sometimes perceived "no drain" problems are not
"no drain" problems at all, but back flow of water from the sink or
some other device into the dishwasher:
If you notice dirty water building up over time in the bottom of the dishwasher and do not have an air gap,
make sure you have a high drain loop. A high drain loop is created when
the drain hose is makes a loop at least 18 inches above the floor.
Usually this is accomplished by attaching the drain hose to the
underside of the countertop. Without a high drain loop or air gap,
dirty water from the sink can flow into the dishwasher. The high drain
loop prevents back flow of water from the drain into the dishwasher if
an air gap is not installed.
View a short video about a high drain loop: Play Video
I had water at the bottom of my 4 year old plus dishwasher and of course I thought the worst. Did the pump go out, bad impeller, or what else could it be! I started with the easy stuff first and disconnected the drain lines. The drain line runs from the dishwasher to an air gap mounted to my sink, which keeps the drain line from getting an airlock. From the air gap device another larger line runs to the garbage disposal. I used an 8MM wrench to loosen the clamps enough to pull the drain lines off and drained them into a bucket. There really wasn't any resistance to water flow and no real chunks, I was disappointed. I then took the actual air gap out of the sink by removing a large plastic nut and pulling the devise out from underneath the sink. When I inspected the air gap I saw a wad of hairy, feathery plastic stuff blocking the flow of water. I took the chunk out, reassembled everything and it works like new again. It is a very easy fix and now even the area under the sink is clean to boot.
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