Seattle's Best Plumbing Blog

If it is taking your sink forever to empty or there’s standing water in your dishwasher or laundry machine, then there’s a problem in your drain system. As grease, soap residue, hair (and occasionally small toys if you have young children) get washed down the drain, they slowly leave behind a layer of build up in your pipes that can obstruct water flow. Plant roots are another common suspect, particularly during the spring and summer. If left unaddressed for too long, these obstructions can cause the pipe to become completely blocked, resulting in an expensive repair or replacement job.

What To Use For A Quick Fix

While it might be tempting to use a bottle of liquid drain cleaner in hopes of a quick fix, resist the urge! Using harsh chemicals can lead to more trouble if they don’t work as expected and their corrosive properties can further damage your pipes. If you suspect it’s a case of some hair stuck in the sink or shower drain, usually a small drain snake (available at most department or hardware stores) is enough to fix the issue. However, depending on the extent and severity of the blockage, it might be time to call in a plumber. A good indication of when to contact a professional is if multiple drains are being affected or if the blockage involves your appliances.

Hire A Professional

Fortunately, Best Plumbing is available to help! Our expert plumbers are available 24/7 to get your drains cleaned out and working again. We handle grease traps, catch basins, hot water heaters, toilets, sinks and showers of all types, floor drains, large appliances and more. We will perform a camera and video inspection to pinpoint the nature and location of the clog then will use cabling or hydraulic jetting to quickly and safely clear up the blockage. All you’ll need to do is sit back and relax, knowing that your drains won’t slow down again anytime in the near future — unless another toy finds its way down the toilet.

Dishwashers are usually huge timesavers for busy Seattle residents, but sometimes they get clogged. Frequently, this problem occurs when things like labels on the bottom of cups and plastic containers find their way into the dishwasher. However, these clogs can usually be fixed pretty quickly if you’re handy with tools. If this sounds like you, here are three places you can try looking before you call a professional:

The Air Gap

If your dishwasher uses an air gap, you’ll find it on top of your sink near the faucet. An air gap allows your dishwasher to drain without the risk of wastewater from the sink backing up into the dishwasher. Occasionally, air gaps get blocked and need to be cleaned out. To do this:

• Remove the cover and plastic cap on the sink to access the dishwasher drain hose.
• Use an air gap brush or bottlebrush to clean around the drain hose.
• Push the brush through the line running to your sink until you can see it when looking into the drain.

The Dishwasher Drain Hose

The drain hose runs from your dishwasher and either attaches directly to your sink and garbage disposal or to the air gap. To clear a clogged drain hose, do the following:

• Go to your breaker box and turn off the power to the dishwasher (and garbage disposal if applicable).
• Turn off the water supply to the dishwasher.
• Place a shallow pan on top of a towel under your sink to catch any water.
• Consult your owner’s manual and detach the drain hose at both ends.
• Use a flexible hose brush to clean the hose fittings and any debris in the line itself.
• Flush out the drain hose with water by using the bathroom sink or a garden hose.
• Reattach the drain hose at both ends.
• Restore the power and water to your dishwasher and run it through its drain cycle.

The Filtration System

The filtration system is located under the spray arm at the bottom of the dishwasher. While the system is good at dealing with chunks of food, it’s not particularly well suited to handle non-food items. There are a variety of ways the filtration system might be configured, so it’s important to consult the owner’s manual for your specific dishwasher model. The good news is most of the time cleaning it involves a series of fairly simple tasks that can be done using only a screwdriver.

If you’re comfortable completing basic home maintenance jobs, troubleshooting a dishwasher will usually be a pretty manageable task. However, if your dishwasher still isn’t draining after you clean the hoses and filter, then it’s possible the problem could be with your sewer line or garbage disposal. If you need help, call Best Plumbing at all at (206) 208-0429. We’ve been serving the Seattle area since 1968, and we’re here to help you with all your plumbing needs.