Why is My Dishwasher Leaking?

Getting up in the morning only to step in a large puddle coming from the dishwasher is never a great to start the day.

Fortuitously, most commonplace explanations of dishwasher leaks are relatively easy to diagnose and fix on your own. Meaning you might not have to hand wash the dishes for more than a day or two, wait for the repair man or have to pay the call-out fee.

So, if you’re feeling up to it grab the operating manual if you can, find a towel to clean up the mess and so get a towel soak up any further spills and find out whether you can diagnose the issue. If you can’t call us for local dishwasher repair.

Commonly Seen Explanations of Dishwasher Faults and How to Resolve Them

Some of the more commonly seen causes of dishwasher leaks are not really a result of a broken dishwasher at all. Prior to starting preparing yourself for an engineering task as well as flicking through endless youtube tutorials there are a number of things you should take a look at first.

Investigate to see if your dishwasher is aligned. If your dishwasher is wonky water will easily pool as well as leak regardless of whether or not the dishwasher has a fault.
Investigate you are using the proper detergent. You might have seen this with your washing machine. Too much detergent or using the wrong variety may result in to too many soap suds, the suds bubble over resulting in a spill.
Investigate your dishwasher door closes fully. If it does not you might have something blocking it, or you could have to adjust the door fixings.
Check the filter located in the bottom of the tub for any obvious obstructions as if your dishwasher isn’t emptying effectively this is likely to cause it to overfill and so spill.

If none of the above issues apply it’s time to get ready and really begin the investigation.

The easiest place to start is the door and test for any obvious damage inside of the machine prior to moving on to the underside. If you are able to identify as well as resolve the problem before you have to pull out the dishwasher so much the better.

Also 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 probably the most everyday place for a dishwasher to leak and one of the quickest problems to resolve.

If the leak is intermittent the fault could be as simple as a big pan or another object putting pressure into the door and stopping it from closing properly.

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

Examine the door seal and investigate for any cracks, a build-up of limescale or other gunk, or any parts where the gasket might have separated from the door.

Removing the seal and allowing it a comprehensive wash can improve the situation in some instances or you could have to acquire a new gasket and replace it.

Water Inlet Valve (Solenoid Fill Valve)

The water inlet valve can also be a everyday issue. This is in most cases situated underneath the machine which means you will need to remove the kick plate and also may have to unscrew the door cover.

The inlet valve opens and closes to allow water into the dishwasher at various parts of the cycle. The inlet valve might be damaged, demonstrated by a slow drip, or it could be broken and so not opening or closing properly while the dishwasher is running.

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

Usually these valves can’t be repaired, and so the whole part would need to be replaced.

Leaking Hoses

Your dishwasher uses hoses to supply, empty and also recirculate water during the programme.

Two issues might present themselves where hoses are involved.

The gaskets can break or the contact points can work loose thus it’s a good idea to check all the connections .
The alternative issue than could easily happen over time is that hoses may be degraded or get a hole in.

Luckily damaged hoses are relativelysimple to get hold of and replace.

Pumps and Gaskets

You can visually investigate the seals around the water pumps or motor to see whether there is a leak and also replace them if that’s the case.

The Float Switch

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

A working float will rise as the water rises until the optimum or highest water level is attained. The end piece of the float should then turn on the switch. A blockage or breakage could be your problem.

Testing the switch will require a multi-meter but it might be obviously damaged in which case getting a new one should solve the issue.

Other Components that Might Lead to a Leak

A cracked wash arm or support could force water under the door causing leakage. This will likewise often affect how well your dishes are being cleaned.

Broken or damaged lines could also cause this fault as may a cracked pump cap.

The motor shaft seal may have come loose causing a leak. This will generally show as a puddle coming from underneath the appliance.

Top Tips to Sort Out Your Dishwasher

Save money by replacing the seal instead of the whole part. In plenty cases, you are able to buy the seal without the rest of the part which saves time as well as money.
Test the quick resolutions first. You don’t need to pull the whole thing out if it’s the soap 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 part you need to a sales person, and explain the fault to a repair person if required.
Stay safe. Water and electricity do not mix so turn off the power first.
If you’re struggling call a professional.

What To Do Next If Your Trouble Shooting Fails to Disclose or Mend the Leakage

If the root of the problem is still a mystery the thing you could do is to pull the dishwasher away from the wall to get a better look beneath it and also fill it with water to see if the leak presents itself.

If this gives no further clues your dishwasher may only leak if the pump is running. In this case, you should get a appliance repair person to determine as well as resolve the fault as there are safety risks of checking for faults with electrical elements uncovered.