Dishwasher question

[dgk]

Someone had a dishwasher question and it triggered mine. I've noticed that water gathers in bottom of the dishwasher when it is not in use. Not a lot, an inch or two. Dirty water I think. The exhaust hose of the dishwasher is hooked up to the drainage pipe from the kitchen sink, which seems appropriate. The hose from the dishwasher goes up from the dishwasher to near the bottom of the sink and then down and attaches to the pipe.

What I think is happening is that the hose does not go up far enough. So, when water rises in the sink, water rises in that hose, goes over the highest part, and down into the dishwasher.

I'm guessing that either some one-way valve is shot or there isn't a valve in the first place. Am I correct in thinking that this is the problem and that putting in a longer hose with a higher top, somewhere near the top of the sink, will prevent water from entering the dishwasher?

[Darrell]

Look at page five for correct drain hose configuration.

Good Luck

There comes a time in the affairs of man when he must take the bull by the tail and face the situation. -- WCF

[MrAoD]

Not being used, or not draining completely after use?

If it's dirty it's probably not leaking in through the input. Just my guess tho.

Classic vent-less design. If you don't have that small vent on the sink with a "Y" attachment beneath it you've not got a vented dishwasher drain. The way to get around that is to make a loop out of the drain hose, so that it forms an "O". The top of the "O" should be as near the top of the underside of the counter as you can get it.

Not unless you've got some severe blockage in the main drain. I'd snake the drain after the "U" or "P" trap under the sink and see if that helps, but I doubt it. If there's a real blockage in the main drain the water should back up into the sink first.

There's no valve in an unvented dishwasher drain hose. If you've got an air gap on the top back of the sink (usually near or where the sprayer faucet is) try cleaning that. But there's still no valve (unless you count the air gap housing as such) in a dishwasher drain.

It's not the length of the hose, it's the height of the loop. See if you can raise and peg the top of the loop. The bottom, or intake (looking from the d/w side) should be the lowest point in the loop. The loop should go as high as possible (duct-tape or otherwise secure to the underside of the counter), and the drop to the sink drain should be more precipitous.

It works almost on a suction principle, i.e., the water comes in under force initially and as the force dissipates the water ahead of the column pulls the water behind with it.

Best,

Marc

[dgk]

Yes, that hose is going to the top of the sink, not the bottom. I don't think I need an air gap since there isn't one there now. Of course, it doesn't work correctly now either. That's going to be around 35" or so. I'll have to see if I can find the specs for mine and see if it is any different but I think that a slightly higher loop will take care of the problem. Thanks.

[Dan O.]

That would help to know. Maybe after a wash you could turn off the water supply to the dishwasher and see if it still fills up.

I would think a leaking water fill valve would be the most likely cause, maybe mixing with some dirty water which wasn't fully pumped out?

Does whatever make and model of dishwasher you have have such a thing? Not all do.

If you post the dishwasher's brand name and model number, we may be able to check. You can find tips for locating the model and serial number tag on your appliances in the repair parts section of my site linked below.

Before you go to that extent, I suggest you determine *for sure* whether it is drain water coming back in or fresh water trickling in.

JMO

Dan O.

- Appliance411.com

=Ð~~~~~~

[Lawrence James]

It is normal for many dishwasers to have a certain amount of residual water in the bottom. Since this will be from the end of the last rinse cycle it should not be dirty. If it is dirty then there may be a clog or stuff in the pump impeller that is preventing it from pumping out well. Most dishwashers will continue to wash even if they can not get the old water out. The overfill check valve prevents them from overfilling and they just go on washing and rinsing with the same old dirty water.

[dgk]

I'll get the brand and model info. I think it is waste water though. After a wash there is no water left in it. A few days later there is. It could be leaking in from the feed valve but I think there is a linkage between my using the sink a lot and the water gathering.

[dgk]

I think it is dry after the wash and fills in later. Most often there isn't much water but it seems that, if I wash a bunch of dishes manually, water tends to end up in the dishwasher. I haven't done any controlled studies but that is what I think is happening.

I'll pay closer attention and maybe just fill the sink and see what happens.