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Having a dishwasher in your home is supposed to make cleaning up easier and more efficient. So when something goes wrong and you find yourself with a sink full of backed up water, how do you react? Should you call a plumber? Before you do, go through these three simple tips to determine what’s really going on with your dishwasher.

Clogged Garbage Disposal

It’s common for dishwashers to dispose of their drain water through the garbage disposal that’s attached to the kitchen’s sink. If there’s a clog due to leftover food debris, the drain water from your dishwasher will back itself up into the drain line. This will result in water filling your sink and, if left unattended to, has the potential to flood your kitchen. To prevent this from happening, plug and fill the sink with extremely hot water before removing the sink stopper. This will flood the pipes and flush the food debris down the drain.

Dirty Drain Basket

Sometimes it takes a small amount of leftover food to cause a big problem. At the bottom of most dishwasher tubs, there will be a plastic mesh filter that functions as a food catch. Too much food caught in the filter has the potential to clog the drain line. In order to clean the drain basket, unscrew it from the dishwasher’s base and clean away the debris. Once you’ve removed the drain filter, pour one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed closely by one cup of vinegar. About 15 minutes after this simple cleaning solution has worked its magic, pour one or two pans of boiling water down the drain to flush everything out.

Possible Air Gap Obstruction

While not all kitchen sinks come equipped with an air gap, the ones that do may be blocked by an obstacle. Located at the top of your sink, usually next to the faucet, the air gap works to prevent backflow from occurring. With extended use, this component can easily become clogged, which will hinder the dishwasher from draining properly. As a result, you’ll likely find water backing up into your sink as the dishwasher runs through a cycle. To fix this clog, open the top of the air gap and look for anything that may be blocking the flow. If there’s nothing present, then you’re looking at a more serious issue, one that requires the help of a professional plumber.

At Aslan Plumbing, we offer both our residential and commercial clients high-quality and efficient plumbing and drainage assistance. As the best plumbers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we offer the Winnipeg Capital Region services that include installing, repairing, and replacing piping systems, hot and cold water lines, 24-hour emergency plumbing service, unclogging toilets and drain lines, and much more. With no extra, overtime charges and free project estimates online, call us or visit our website to book your appointment.