The other night my dishwasher started leaking. The water was not draining therefore it started coming out of the front. The next day we tried running it again. This time it drained however water was slowly coming up from underground right behind the dishwasher outside. There was also an "old water" smell in the air. What could this be?

The other night my dishwasher started leaking. The water was not draining therefore it started coming out of the front. The next day we tried running it again. This time it drained however water was slowly coming up from underground right behind the dishwasher outside. There was also an "old water" smell in the air. What could this be?

This sounds like a clog in either the hose or the air gap. Air gaps come in two flavors, (see images) which do you have? ( My bet's on a counter top air gap) Let me know, Tom

Thanks Tom! I do not have a counter top air gap. Does is sound like a busted pipe since there is water coming from under ground? How can I check for a clog?

Check inside the cabinet and locate the hose coming out of the DW, see where is it connected follow Tom's drawings and tell us, Thanks.

John

OK I have the system on the bottom portion of the drawing outlined in red. A clear hose goes from my disposal to the dishwasher. Last night I used my sink a lot (since the dw is out) and noticed water was draining in the yard again. Help!

Now that you don't have an air gap installed, it sounds that there is a clog between the D/W and G/D.
First Disconnect the hose at the G/D get a screw driver and check if the port at GD is open, if it is then checking the hose from D/W to G/D for any obstruction, Good luck

Can a clog cause the water to leak in the yard and the oder?

It looks like you have clog in the drain down stream of your sink, you need to snak it, good luck.

John