Dishwasher Mystery

cptlo

Pursuit Driver
Disclaimer: I'm a computer guy...I have no idea about appliances and plumbing. :)

I came home today and noticed a few drops of liquid on the floor in front of the dishwasher. My initial thought was "that darn cat peed in here" but then I quickly realized that wasn't it. I opened the dishwasher and found the bottom of it full with dirty water. This is a "brand new" dishwasher meaning that it was brand new when I bought it a year ago and I haven't used it at all since (I'm a paper plate kind of guy). So it hasn't been turned on a single time.

So that prompts the obvious question....where did the water come from? If my limited knowledge of this stuff is right, could it have come from the sink drain or the disposal? The sink seems to drain OK. I haven't noticed it draining slow at all. I also don't use the disposal so I'm not even sure it works.

Any ideas? Thanks!
 
You must have "loop" in the drain line. The plastic discharge hose that comes from the unit and empties into the sink drain or disposal unit must have a loop in the line higher than the highest point of current discharge. If you have a disposal you may have to install a vent from the DW discharge to a point higher than the highest point of the disposal unit discharge. It is pretty much a trap like you would find in any gravity sensitive system. This is a very common issue and probably not a problem with the unit but more of an installation issue.
 
Yup,,, I think it has a 'Hairball' stuck in it!!!!!

Just kidding, the drains from dish washers usually plug into the garbage disposals. There probable should be a foot valve at the dw end of the hose, or some depend on a pump valve position to stop any back filling. In your case this has failed to function. Try running the dw through a normal cycle, then monitor for water after heavy use of the disposal side of the sink, and if it recurs, call a repairman. Good Luck!!!

:D
 
Thanks!

More to add....I started the DW and cancelled it so it would do drain the water out. That worked but when it was draining the water came up into the sink. It doesn't appear that any went back into the DW. This is in a condo in a high-rise building...is it possible there was some sort of backup in another part of the building that caused it to back up into my condo and run over into the DW? Or is it possible the drainage from the sink has gradually been going down the DW drain line and I just didn't notice it until it got full and ran over a little?
 
Thanks!

More to add....I started the DW and cancelled it so it would do drain the water out. That worked but when it was draining the water came up into the sink. It doesn't appear that any went back into the DW. This is in a condo in a high-rise building...is it possible there was some sort of backup in another part of the building that caused it to back up into my condo and run over into the DW? Or is it possible the drainage from the sink has gradually been going down the DW drain line and I just didn't notice it until it got full and ran over a little?

Sink drain appears to clogged in or under the disposal. Look for clogs and try running disposal,,, then call the 'Super'!!!!
 
Yep, good advice so far.

What PP (haha) is referring to is an inverted trap, but they usually just call it a loop. . That keeps the water from draining back into the dishwasher. Some brands also call for a check valve.

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As for water in your sink, make sure the drains are running clear and operate the disposal if you have one to make sure it drains without backing up into the sink. When there is a disposal present, the dishwasher usually drains into it, and the disposal outlet can be clogged at the wye or tee fitting in the sink drain.

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Yup to the loop and if water backed up into your sink when you ran the dishwasher your sink drain is clogged.
 
Thanks everyone. I think the disposal needs replacing at least. I've been wanting to replace the entire sink, disposal, and countertop so maybe I'll just go ahead and get it all done at once.
 
I understand that you use paper plates........ the bachelor thing, but you actually wash everything else? (The silverware, bowls, items to prepare your food...) Your future wife will be happy.

Oh yay a remodel! Post here so we can all give you ideas! (wanted or not, we had fun when the squirrel was remodeling)
 
I understand that you use paper plates........ the bachelor thing, but you actually wash everything else? (The silverware, bowls, items to prepare your food...) Your future wife will be happy.

Oh yay a remodel! Post here so we can all give you ideas! (wanted or not, we had fun when the squirrel was remodeling)

Here's a pic of almost the entire kitchen before the new dishwasher last year. Yes, it's tiny but big enough. Those hideous cabinet knobs were the first thing to go.

f8izt.jpg
 
Here's a pic of almost the entire kitchen before the new dishwasher last year. Yes, it's tiny but big enough. Those hideous cabinet knobs were the first thing to go.

f8izt.jpg
Big enough? For what? :p A+ on getting rid of those knobs! :confused:
Is that ALL the counter space? I would definitely go with quartz, you really can not damage it and it looks good. I am thinking the back splash needs to go too.
What color dishwasher did you get? Knobs? Those are new floors, right? Is your condo more traditional, contemporary, country, farmhouse? What colors do you love? (Well in kitchens.... I love, adore, live for pink, but since I do not like the 50's style kitchens I do not have a pink kitchen. LOL)
 
Big enough? For what? :p A+ on getting rid of those knobs! :confused:
Is that ALL the counter space? I would definitely go with quartz, you really can not damage it and it looks good. I am thinking the back splash needs to go too.
What color dishwasher did you get? Knobs? Those are new floors, right? Is your condo more traditional, contemporary, country, farmhouse? What colors do you love? (Well in kitchens.... I love, adore, live for pink, but since I do not like the 50's style kitchens I do not have a pink kitchen. LOL)

Yep, that's all the counter space. I'll get a slightly smaller sink to add a little more counter space. I'm thinking quartz too.

All appliances are stainless steel. Knobs are also. Floors aren't new but look OK. Wall color is now a horrible brown (I picked the color but it was a bad choice and there wasn't enough time to redo it at the time). No pink!!. Agreed on backsplash...it needs to go too.
 
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Yep, that's all the counter space. I'll get a slightly smaller sink to add a little more counter space. I'm thinking quartz too.

All appliances are stainless steel. Knobs are also. Floors aren't new but look OK. Wall color is now a horrible brown (I picked the color but it was a bad choice and there wasn't enough time to redo it at the time). No pink!!. Agreed on backsplash...it needs to go to.
I like the cool grey wall color in the picture. :p I thought that was a good choice. Yes, horrible brown should go! They have warmer greys that I think have names like Greige that are a cross of beige and grey that would look good.
What is the design style of the condo?
 
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