Dishwasher
Dishwasher Not Draining? 5 Tampa-Specific Causes
Standing water in the bottom of your dishwasher? Here's the order to check things in — most fixes take under 20 minutes with a screwdriver and a towel.
1. Clogged filter basket
Most modern dishwashers (Bosch, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Samsung) have a removable cylindrical filter at the bottom. Twist it out, rinse under hot water, and scrub with an old toothbrush. This solves about a third of drainage calls.
2. Disposal air gap or knock-out plug
If your dishwasher drains through the disposal, the knock-out plug inside the disposal inlet may never have been removed during install — a frequent miss on new Tampa Bay construction. Check it before assuming a pump failure.
3. Drain hose high loop missing
Florida plumbing code requires a high loop or air gap. Without it, sink water siphons back into the dishwasher. Pull the toe-kick and verify the hose loops up under the counter before dropping to the disposal.
4. Drain pump impeller jammed
Broken glass, fruit pits, or a chunk of dishwasher pod foil can lock the impeller. On most models you can remove the filter, shine a flashlight in, and rotate the impeller by hand — it should spin freely.
5. Failed drain pump motor
If you hear a hum but no water moves, the pump motor is done. We carry the common Bosch, Whirlpool, and Samsung pumps on the truck — typical repair $230–$360 all-in.
FAQ
Can I run the disposal to clear the dishwasher line?+
Yes — always run hot water and the disposal for 30 seconds before starting a dishwasher cycle. It clears the shared drain line and prevents backups.