Why is My Dishwasher Leaking?

Coming downstairs to discover an ominous puddle on the floor is no-one’s chosen way to start the day.

Thankfully, most simple sources of dishwasher leaks are comparatively straightforward to pinpoint and resolve yourself. This means you may not need to hand wash the dishes for too long, wait for the repair man or have to pay the call-out fee.

So, find the operating manual if you know where it is, clean up the puddle and get something clean up any further spills and so find out whether you can’t find a DIY solution. If you cannot call us for local dishwasher repair.

Simple Causes of Dishwasher Faults and How to Fix Them

Some of the most everyday sources of dishwasher leaks are not in fact because of a dishwasher issue at all. Before you start getting the tools out and also looking at numerous youtube tutorials there are a number of issues you can take a look at first.

Test to find out whether your dishwasher is aligned. If your dishwasher is not aligned water will quickly puddle and so leak regardless of whether or not the dishwasher has a fault.
Test you have been using the proper detergent. You may be aware of this issue with your washing machine. An excess of detergent or the wrong variety may result in to too many bubbles, the bubbles bubble over and so you get a leak.
Investigate your dishwasher door closes properly. If it does not you could have something blocking it such as a large plate, or you may need to fix the hinge or the locking mechanism.
Test the filter in the bottom of the machine for any easy to see drainage issues because if your dishwasher isn’t emptying effectively this can result in fill too much and spill.

If you have looked at these possible causes it’s time to roll up your sleeves and really begin the inspection.

The easiest place to start is the door and check for any visible issues in the interior of the machine before you move on to the underneath. If you are able to identify as well as resolve the problem without pulling out the dishwasher you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle.

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

Door Seal

The most everyday place for a dishwasher to leak is on the door, fortunately it is also one of the easiest problems to resolve.

If the leak is intermittent the fault may be as simple as an oversized dish or another object pushing against the door and stopping the door from shutting fully.

On the other hand the door gasket might have come loose or become split.

Inspect the door gasket and also check for any cracks, a build-up of limescale or other debris, or any parts where the seal might have separated from the door.

Extracting the seal and allowing it a comprehensive wash could help in some instances or you may be required to acquire a new seal and change it.

Water Inlet Valve (Solenoid Fill Valve)

The fill valve can also be a everyday fault. The inlet is generally found under the machine therefore you will most likely have to remove the kick plate and could need to take off the door cover.

The fill valve opens and closes to let water into the dishwasher at various parts of the programme. The fill valve could be damaged, evidenced by a slow drip, or it might be damaged and not functioning properly throughout the programme.

In the case that the inlet valve doesn’t close fully this can mean that the dishwasher overfills, causing a leak.

Usually water inlet valve are not able to be fixed, which means the whole valve would need to be changed.

Leaking Hoses

Your dishwasher uses hoses to fill, drain and also recirculate water during the cycle.

Two problems might arise with hoses.

The gaskets may get damaged or the contact points might come loose meaning it’s worth having a look at all the connections first.
The alternative issue than can often develop over time is that hoses may get degraded or get a hole in.

If you can determine that the leak is coming from a hose this should be easy to change and new hoses are readily available.

Pumps and Seals

You are able to visually check the rubber seals surrounding the pumps or motor to determine if there is a leak and change them if that’s the case.

The Float Switch

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

When operating as it should the float will rise as the water level goes up until it reaches the highest fill level. The tail of the float will then operate the switch. If something is blocking this or the float is broken this could be your problem.

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

Other Parts that Could Cause Leakage

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

Broken or damaged tubes may also cause this issue as might a damaged pump cover.

The motor shaft gasket may have degraded resulting in a leak. This generally presents as a puddle coming from the underside of the machine.

Top Tips to Sort Out Your Machine

Spend less by checking the seal instead of the whole component. In plenty situations, you can purchase the seal separately which saves time as well as money.
Test the quick fixes first. You don’t need to pull the entire thing away from the wall if it’s the detergent that’s making the leak.
Photograph your progress. This can make your life easier when you come to reverse the process, explain the component you are looking for in a store, and identify the issue to a repair person if required.
Stay safe. Water and electricity are not good friends so unplug the machine first.
If you’re not sure get in the professionals.

What To Do Next If Your Initial Investigation Fails to Disclose or Fix the Leak

If the root of the problem remains a mystery the next step you might take is to pull the machine away from the wall to get a better look underneath it and also add water to the tub to see whether the leak can be seen that way.

If you don’t uncover any leaks with this method your appliance might only leak when it’s running. In this case, you should employ a dishwasher repair person to pinpoint and also fix the leak due to the safety risks of checking for faults with electrical components exposed.