Why is My Dishwasher Leaking?

Coming downstairs to step in a large puddle coming from the dishwasher is never the best to start the day.

Luckily, most common explanations of dishwasher leaks are relatively easy to diagnose and fix yourself. Meaning you could not have to wash the dishes by hand for more than a day or two, call an engineer or have to pay the call-out charge.

So, if you’re feeling up to it get out the manual if you have it, clean up the puddle and so get something clean up any further spills and so see if you can’t fix the problem. If you aren’t able to call us for local dishwasher repair.

Commonplace Causes of Dishwasher Leaks and How to Fix Them

Many of the most common causes of dishwasher leaks aren’t actually due to a dishwasher issue at all. Before you start preparing yourself for an engineering task as well as watching endless online videos there are a few issues you can troubleshoot first.

Investigate to see if your dishwasher is level. If the dishwasher is not level water will quickly puddle as well as leak even if the dishwasher is working perfectly.
Test you have been using the right detergent. You could be aware of this fault with your washing machine. An excess of soap or the incorrect variety can lead an excess of bubbles, the soap suds deluge resulting in a leak.
Check your dishwasher door closes properly. If it doesn’t there may be a blockage, or you might have to replace the door fixings.
Test the filter located at the base of the tub for any easy to see drainage issues as if your dishwasher isn’t emptying properly this can cause it to fill too much and leak.

When you have looked at these potential problems it’s time to get ready and start the investigation.

The easiest place to start is the door and test for any visible damage inside of the machine prior to moving on to the underneath. If you can find and fix the issue without pulling 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 most commonplace place for leakage is around the door, thankfully it is likewise one of the easiest issues to fix.

If the leak is occasional the issue might be as simple as a large plate or another object putting pressure into the door thus preventing the door from shutting properly.

Otherwise the door seal might have come out of place or got damaged.

Inspect the door gasket and investigate for any degradation, a build-up of limescale or other deposits, or any parts where the gasket might have separated from the door.

Extracting the gasket and giving it a good clean might improve the situation in some cases or you might need to buy a new gasket and replace it.

Water Inlet Valve (Solenoid Fill Valve)

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

The inlet valve opens and also closes to allow water into the tub at different times in the cycle. The fill valve might be damaged, demonstrated by a slight drip, or it could be broken thus not opening or closing fully during the programme.

If the fill valve doesn’t close correctly this can mean that the dishwasher overfills, causing a leak.

Usually fill valve are not able to be repaired, thus the whole part would need to be changed.

Leaking Hoses

Hoses are needed to fill, drain as well as recirculate water along the programme.

Two issues could develop where hoses are involved.

The gaskets can go or the connections might work loose meaning it’s worth having a look at all the connections .
The alternative issue than may often develop as time goes by is that hoses might be degraded or get a hole in.

Luckily faulty hoses are simple to buy as well as change.

Pumps and Gaskets

You are able to visually test the rubber seals around the water pumps or motor to determine if there is a leakage and change them if that’s the case.

The Float Switch

The float itself or the float switch could be damaged causing the dishwasher to overfill.

A working float will lift up with the water level until it reaches the optimum fill level. The tag of the float should then activate the switch. If something is blocking this or the float is broken this could be causing your issues.

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

Alternative Parts that Could Cause Leakage

A cracked wash arm or support may puch water under the door causing a leak. This will likewise often result in your dishes not being cleaned as effectively as they should.

Broken or faulty tubes might likewise cause this issue as could a cracked pump cap.

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

Top Tips to Mend Your Machine

Spend less by replacing the seal rather than the entire component. In most cases, you are able to buy the gasket separately which saves you having to change the entire component.
Check the quick resolutions before you get more complicated. You don’t need to pull the whole dishwasher out if it’s the detergent that’s causing the leak.
Take pictures at each step. This can make your life easier when you come to put the machine back together, explain the part you are looking for in a shop, as well as identify the issue to a repair person if required.
Be careful. Water and electricity are not good friends so turn off the power first.
If you’re struggling get in a professional.

What To Do Next If Your Initial Investigation Fails to Identify or Fix the Leakage

If the cause of the problem can’t be uncovered the thing you can do is to pull the dishwasher away from the wall to get a better look underneath it as well as fill it with water to see whether the leak can be seen that way.

If this gives no further clues your machine could only show a leakage when during a cycle. In this instance, you may wish to employ a qualified technician to determine as well as resolve the leak as there are safety risks of running the dishwasher with electrical parts uncovered.