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Dishwasher Not Draining: Filter, Air Gap & Hose Checks

Updated 2026-10-20 · Sources verified 2026-07-20

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Short answer: no permit needed. FBC 105.2 exempts stopping leaks and clearing stoppages provided no valves, pipes, or fixtures are replaced or rearranged; concealed pipe REPLACEMENT is new work requiring a permit. The full rule and its official source are below, with the code requirements and mistakes that trip up Orlando homeowners.

The permit answer

No permit needed. FBC 105.2 exempts stopping leaks and clearing stoppages provided no valves, pipes, or fixtures are replaced or rearranged; concealed pipe REPLACEMENT is new work requiring a permit.
Source: https://up.codes/viewer/florida/fl-building-code-2023/chapter/1/scope-and-administration

Orange County and the City of Orlando run separate permit offices with separate portals — and your mailing address alone doesn't tell you which one covers your home. Check which permit office covers your address →

Key facts before you start

Filter first. Whirlpool: 'food particles such as popcorn kernels or paper labels can get caught in the filter and keep water from draining.' Twist out the upper and lower filters at the bottom of the tub, rinse them, check the sump for debris, then run a short rinse cycle and see whether water remains.
New dishwasher that never drained? The disposal's knockout plug. Whirlpool: 'if a disposal was recently installed or replaced, make sure the knockout plug was removed, since a retained plug blocks drainage entirely.' GE: 'turn on the disposer before running the dishwasher to clear food or debris from the drain system.'
The air gap is the chrome cylinder on the sink; it lets air in so the dishwasher can drain without pulling a vacuum. GE: lift off the cover, unscrew the plastic cap and clear the debris, then check the hose from the air gap to the sink drain or disposal. Note it is a plumbing part, not a dishwasher part: 'the dishwasher warranty does not cover costs related to cleaning or repairing a drain air gap.'
Drain hose: look for kinks, sagging, and a missing high loop. A proper high loop or a working air gap keeps wastewater from flowing back into the dishwasher (Whirlpool). Some hoses carry a check valve that can be installed backward, and old hoses build sediment that restricts flow.
A steady hum with no water moving points to a jammed drain impeller — broken glass is the usual cause (Whirlpool). Water backing up from the sink side means the sink's trap or tailpiece, and clearing those often solves it.
Whirlpool's stop line: call for service 'if draining does not improve, or if you encounter electrical concerns, water leaks, or unclear error codes.' Clearing a stoppage needs no permit; a new drain connection or a hardwired swap is trade work (see the dishwasher install guide).

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for a dishwasher not draining repair in Orange County, FL?

No permit needed. FBC 105.2 exempts stopping leaks and clearing stoppages provided no valves, pipes, or fixtures are replaced or rearranged; concealed pipe REPLACEMENT is new work requiring a permit.

What's the most common mistake homeowners make with a dishwasher not draining repair?

Whirlpool's stop line: call for service 'if draining does not improve, or if you encounter electrical concerns, water leaks, or unclear error codes.' Clearing a stoppage needs no permit; a new drain connection or a hardwired swap is trade work (see the dishwasher install guide).

Related repairs

Sources

https://producthelp.whirlpool.com/Dishwashers/Product_Info/Dishwasher_Product_Assistance/Dishwasher_Not_Draining
https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/how-to-fix-a-clogged-dishwasher.html
https://producthelp.whirlpool.com/Dishwashers/Product_Info/Dishwasher_Product_Assistance/Newly_Installed_Dishwasher_Not_Draining
https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=16240
https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=17895
https://www.bosch-home.com/qa/en/service/get-support/26_support_selfhelp_dishwashers_repair_problems_dishwasher_is_not_draining

This guide is general informational content, not professional or legal advice. Codes and county rules change — confirm permit requirements with your local building department, and use a licensed professional for electrical, gas, structural, or main-line plumbing work.

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