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No, you don’t need a garbage disposal for a dishwasher. A dishwasher will work without a garbage disposal. However, the two appliances pair well and are often installed together. It is rare to see a home with a dishwasher that doesn’t have a garbage disposal, but that doesn’t mean it's not possible. Each appliance serves its own purpose. 

The two main negatives of garbage disposals are they are a safety hazard in homes with children, and they frequently encounter blockage issues. While they might be annoying to fix and monitor, garbage disposals can significantly lower your trash use and are a great way to dispose of organic waste. While there are negatives, the vast majority of homeowners acknowledge the positives are enough to install a disposal in their home. 

When a dishwasher discharges its wastewater, it uses a pump to quickly move a lot of water. If anything in the drain line or the garbage disposal impedes the high volume of water, it will back up into the sink through the drain or the garbage disposal. Following regular dishwasher maintenance tips like clearing clogs, keeping them cleared, and occasionally running the disposal will eliminate the problem.

Your garbage disposal is not draining because it might have a clog due to food waste, a foreign object, grease, oil, fat, or it may have a broken motor. When water doesn't flush out of the disposal, that's a key sign that your disposal has a clog or needs repair.