Why is My Dishwasher Leaking?

Entering the kitchen only to step in a large puddle on the floor is no-one’s chosen way to start the day.

Thankfully, most simple causes of dishwasher faults are comparatively straightforward to diagnose and mend by yourself. This means you might not be required to wash the dishes by hand that much, wait for the repair man or have to pay a high call-out fee.

So, grab the manual if you have it, get a towel to clean up the leak and get a towel soak up any additional spills and so see whether you can’t fix the problem. If you cannot call us for local dishwasher repair.

Simple Sources of Dishwasher Faults as well as How to Fix Them

Some of the more simple explanations of dishwasher leaks aren’t in fact a result of a broken dishwasher at all. Before you start getting the tools out and looking at endless youtube tutorials there are a number of issues you should troubleshoot first.

Test to see if your dishwasher is level. If the dishwasher isn’t level water will quickly pool as well as spill out even if the dishwasher is working perfectly.
Investigate you have been using the proper soap. You may have seen this with your washing machine. Too much soap or using the incorrect type may result in to too many suds, the suds spill over resulting in a spill.
Check your dishwasher door closes fully. If there’s a gap you might have something obstructing it such as a large plate, or you may need to adjust the hinge or the locking mechanism.
Check the filter at the base of the machine for any obvious obstructions because if your dishwasher isn’t draining correctly this can cause it to fill too much and spill.

Once you have eliminated these possible causes it’s time to roll up your sleeves and really start a thorough check.

The easiest place to start is the door as well as test for any obvious issues inside of the machine prior to moving on to the underneath. If you are able to identify as well as fix the problem 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 Gasket

The door is probably the most everyday area for leakage and also one of the quickest problems to resolve.

If the leakage is periodic the problem could be as simple as a large plate or another object pushing into the door thus stopping the door from shutting fully.

Otherwise the door gasket may have come loose or got split.

Check the door gasket and investigate for any cracks, mineral deposits or other debris, or any tracts where the seal has come away from the door.

Taking off the gasket and also giving it a thorough scrub has been known to improve the situation in some cases or you might be required to purchase a new seal and replace it.

Water Inlet Valve (Solenoid Fill Valve)

The water inlet valve can also be a everyday problem. It is usually situated underneath the machine so you may have to take off the toe board and may have to take off the door cover.

The water inlet valve opens and closes to let water into the machine at varying parts of the programme. The inlet valve may be damaged, demonstrated by a slight drip, or it might be broken and not functioning properly throughout the programme.

When the water inlet valve doesn’t close correctly this can mean that the dishwasher overfills, causing a leak.

Often inlet valve can’t be fixed unless it is only the rubber gasket that is faulty, thus the entire component would need to be changed.

Leaking Hoses

Hoses are needed to supply, drain and also redistribute water during the programme.

Two problems could arise when it comes to hoses.

The seals may get damaged or the connections might come loose meaning it’s worth examining all the connections .
The alternative issue than could often happen as you use the machine is that hoses can get damaged or get a hole in.

Luckily broken hoses are easy to buy and replace.

Pumps and Seals

You can visually test the gaskets around the water pumps or motor to determine if there is a leakage and also replace them if there is.

The Float Switch

The float itself or the float switch might be damaged resulting in the dishwasher overfilling.

A working float will rise with the water level until the optimum or highest water level is reached. The tag of the float would then turn on the switch. A blockage or breakage could be your issues.

Checking the switch would need a multi-meter but it could be clearly broken in which case getting a new one should fix the leak.

Alternative Parts that May Lead to Leakage

A broken wash arm or support could causing a leak. This could also often affect how well your dishes are being cleaned.

Broken or faulty lines might also cause this issue as could a cracked pump cap.

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

Top Tips to Mend Your Dishwasher

Spend less by checking the seal rather than the whole component. In most situations, you can acquire the seal separately which saves time as well as money.
Check the simple resolutions first. You don’t need to pull the entire dishwasher out if it’s the soap that’s causing the issue.
Take photos as you go along. This may make your life easier when you come to put the machine back together, describe the component you are looking for in a shop, as well as explain the fault to a repair person if needed.
Be careful. Water and electricity are not good friends so turn off the power first.
If in doubt get in a professional.

What To Do Next If Your Initial Investigation Doesn’t Identify or Mend the Leak

If the root of the leak remains a mystery the next step you might take is to pull the dishwasher away from the wall to get better access beneath it and also fill it with water to find out if the leakage can be seen that way.

If this doesn’t shed any light your dishwasher may only leak when it’s running. In this instance, your best bet would be to hire a appliance repair person to diagnose and fix the fault due to the safety risks of checking for faults with electrical components exposed.