Why is My Dishwasher Leaking?

Entering the kitchen only to discover a large puddle coming from the dishwasher is no-one’s favorite manner to start the day.

Fortuitously, most commonly seen causes of dishwasher leaks are comparably easy to pinpoint and fix yourself. This means you might not have to hand wash the dishes for too long, take a day off waiting for an repair person or have to pay the call-out charge.

So, get out the instruction manual if you have it, get a towel to clean up the mess and get a towel soak up any further leaks and see whether you can’t fix the problem. If you can’t call us for local dishwasher repair.

Simple Sources of Dishwasher Leaks and How to Mend Them

A lot of the more everyday causes of dishwasher faults aren’t actually a result of a dishwasher issue at all. Before you start preparing yourself for an engineering task and flicking through numerous online tutorials there are a number of things you can take a look at first.

Investigate to see if your dishwasher is level. If the dishwasher isn’t aligned water can easily pool and so spill out even if the dishwasher is working perfectly.
Check you are using the correct detergent. You could be aware of this fault with your washing machine. An excess of soap or using the wrong variety may lead to too many suds, the suds deluge and you get a spill.
Check your dishwasher door fully closes. If there’s a gap there may be a blockage, or you may have to adjust the hinge or the locking mechanism.
Test the filter in the base of the tub for any obvious obstructions because if your dishwasher isn’t draining properly this is likely to result in fill too much and so leak.

If none of the above issues apply it’s time to get ready and really start a thorough check.

The easiest place to start is the door as well as check for any visible damage in the interior of the machine prior to moving on to the underneath. If you can identify and so mend the problem before you need to pull out the dishwasher you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle.

And make sure you disconnect the appliance first by either unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker for the dishwasher.

Door Seal

The door is seemingly the most simple place for leakage and also one of the easiest problems to fix.

If the leakage is intermittent the issue may be as straightforward as a big pan or something else pushing against the door thus preventing the door from closing properly.

On the other hand the door gasket could have come out of place or been damaged.

Check the door seal and test for any cracks, a build-up of limescale or other deposits, or any areas in which the gasket might have separated from the door.

Taking off the gasket and also allowing it a good scrub might improve the situation in some instances or you might be required to purchase a new gasket and replace it.

Water Inlet Valve (Solenoid Fill Valve)

The fill valve can also be a common fault. It is in most cases situated on the underbelly of the machine so you will have to remove the kick plate and also may need to take off the door cover.

The water inlet valve opens and also closes to let water into the tub at different parts of the program. The fill valve could be damaged, evidenced with a slow drip, or it could be damaged thus not opening or closing correctly throughout the program.

In the case that the inlet valve fails to close correctly this can mean that the dishwasher overfills, causing a leak.

Generally these valves cannot be fixed, and so the whole part would have to be changed.

Leaking Hoses

Hoses are needed to supply, drain and also recirculate water within the cycle.

Two complications could arise when it comes to hoses.

The seals might break or the connections could come loose meaning it’s worth checking all the connections .
The alternative problem than might often happen as time goes by is that hoses may become damaged or cracked.

Luckily damaged hoses are relatively simple to get hold of and also change.

Pumps and Gaskets

You are able to visually check the seals that are part of the pumps or motor to ascertain whether there is a leakage as well as change them if there is.

The Float Switch

The float itself or the float switch may be broken resulting in the dishwasher overfilling.

A working float will lift up with the water level until the desired or maximum water level is attained. The tail of the float will then turn on the switch. If something is blocking this or the float is broken this could be causing your problem.

Checking the switch will require electrical equipment but it may be clearly broken in which case replacing it should stop the leak.

Other Components that Could Lead to a Leak

A cracked wash arm or support may force water under the door causing a leak. This can also often affect how well your dishes are being cleaned.

Broken or damaged lines can also result in this fault as may a cracked pump cover.

The motor shaft gasket might have degraded resulting in a leak. This will generally show as leakage coming from underneath the machine.

Top Tips to Fix Your Dishwasher

Spend less by checking the seal instead of the whole component. In most situations, you are able to buy the gasket without the rest of the part which saves time as well as money.
Check the quick fixes first. You don’t need to pull the whole machine away from the wall if it’s the detergent that’s making the problem.
Photograph your progress. This could make your life easier when you come to put the thing back together, explain the component you are looking for to a sales person, and explain the problem to a repair person if needed.
Be careful. Water and electricity do not mix so turn off the power first.
If you’re not sure get in a professional.

The Next Steps You Should Take If Your Initial Investigation Doesn’t Identify or Fix the Leakage

If the cause of the issue is still a mystery the thing you can do is to pull out the dishwasher to get a better look beneath it as well as add water to the tub to find out if the leakage presents itself.

If you are still in the dark your machine might only show a leakage when the pump is running. In this instance, you should get a qualified technician to determine and resolve the leak as there are safety risks of checking for faults with electrical parts exposed.