Is your dishwasher backing up with dirty water? That’s not just gross—it’s also a sign that something’s wrong with your plumbing. At Hudson Plumbing, we get a lot of calls from homeowners in Martinsville, Bedford and nearby areas asking why their dishwasher is clogged or draining into the sink. Here are the most common reasons this happens and what you can do about it.
1. Clogged Kitchen Drain
The most common reason your dishwasher backs up is a clogged kitchen drain. Your dishwasher and kitchen sink often share the same drain line. If food, grease, or debris blocks that line, water from the dishwasher has nowhere to go—and it can come back up into the sink.
Quick Tip:
Avoid pouring grease down the sink, and use a sink strainer to catch food scraps.
2. Dirty Garbage Disposal
If your garbage disposal is clogged or dirty, it can stop your dishwasher from draining. Sometimes food waste gets stuck and blocks the line between the dishwasher and the disposal.
Quick Tip:
Always run water while using the disposal and give it a good rinse after grinding food.
3. Air Gap or High Loop Problems
Your dishwasher needs something called an air gap or a high loop in the drain hose. This keeps dirty water from the sink from flowing back into the dishwasher. If this setup is missing or not installed correctly, you may see water backing up during or after a wash cycle.
4. Broken Dishwasher Pump or Filter
Sometimes, the problem is inside the dishwasher itself. A clogged filter or broken pump can stop the machine from draining properly.
Quick Tip:
Check your dishwasher’s manual for instructions on how to clean the filter—it’s easier than you might think!
Need Help? Call Hudson Plumbing
If your dishwasher is backing up and nothing seems to fix it, it may be time to call in the pros. At Hudson Plumbing, we’ve helped hundreds of families in Indiana with kitchen drain issues, clogged dishwashers, and more. Our team will inspect the problem and get your dishwasher draining like it should.📞 Contact Hudson Plumbing today for trusted plumbing repair in Martinsville, Bedford and surrounding areas.
