Why is My Dishwasher Leaking? | Naperville Appliance Repair

Getting up in the morning only to find an ominous puddle coming from the dishwasher is never a great to start the day.

Fortuitously, most common causes of dishwasher faults are relatively simple to diagnose and mend yourself. Meaning you may not have to wash the dishes by hand for more than a day or two, wait for the repair man or need to pay the call-out fee.

So, find the instruction manual if you know where it is, grab an old towel to clean up the puddle and get something soak up any additional spills and see whether you can find a do it yourself solution. If you aren’t able to call us for local dishwasher repair.

Commonplace Explanations of Dishwasher Leaks and How to Resolve Them

Some of the more common sources of dishwasher faults aren’t really due to a dishwasher issue . Before you start getting the tools out as well as looking at endless online tutorials there are a few issues you might want to take a look at first.

Check to see whether your dishwasher is aligned. If the dishwasher is not aligned water can quickly puddle and so spill out even if the dishwasher is working perfectly.
Investigate you are using the proper detergent. You might be familiar with this issue with your washer. Too much detergent or using the incorrect type could lead an excess of suds, the suds deluge and so you get a spill.
Check your dishwasher door closes fully. If there’s a gap you may have something blocking it, or you could have to fix the door fixings.
Test the filter located at the bottom of the tub for any easy to see obstructions as if your dishwasher isn’t draining effectively this will cause it to fill too much and so leak.

When you have ruled out these potential problems it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start a thorough check.

To make your life easier start with the door and test for any obvious damage within of the machine prior to moving on to the underside. If you can find as well as resolve the issue without pulling out the dishwasher so much the better.

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 common place for leakage is on the door, luckily it is likewise one of the simplest issues to resolve.

If the leak is occasional the issue might be as simple as a large plate or something else pushing against the door and preventing the door from sealing correctly.

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

Examine the door seal and also check for any cracks, a build-up of limescale or other gunk, or any tracts in which the gasket might have separated from the door.

Removing the seal and allowing it a good scrub might help in some cases or you could need to purchase a new gasket and replace it.

Water Inlet Valve (Solenoid Fill Valve)

The inlet valve can also be a simple fault. The inlet is generally located underneath the machine and so you may need to remove the toe board and might have to remove the door cover.

The water inlet valve opens and closes to allow water into the dishwasher at different times in the cycle. The water inlet valve may be leaking, evidenced by a slow drip, or it might be damaged thus not opening or closing properly during the program.

If the fill valve fails to shut correctly this can result in the dishwasher overfilling and result in a leak.

Often these valves can’t be fixed, which means the entire valve would need to be replaced.

Leaking Hoses

Hoses are needed to fill, drain as well as recirculate water within the program.

Two issues may arise with hoses.

The seals could go or the contact points can work loose meaning it’s a good idea to check all the connections first.
The alternative problem than can often develop over time is that hoses could be damaged or cracked.

If you are able to determine that the leak is coming from a hose this will be simple to replace and spare hoses are easy to come by.

Pumps and Gaskets

You are able to visually investigate the rubber seals surrounding the pumps or motor to see whether there is a leakage and replace them if there is.

The Float Switch

The float itself or the float switch might be not working correctly resulting in the dishwasher overfilling.

When working correctly the float will lift up with the water level until it reaches the maximum fill level. The tag of the float should then operate the switch. A blockage or breakage could be your issues.

Checking the switch will require electrical equipment although it could be obviously damaged in which case replacing it should solve the issue.

Other Components that Might Cause a Leak

A cracked wash arm or support can causing leakage. This will also often result in your dishes not being cleaned as effectively as they should.

Broken or cracked lines may likewise cause this issue as might a broken pump cap.

The motor shaft gasket might have come loose causing leakage. This will generally show as a leak coming from the underside of the dishwasher.

Top Tips to Sort Out Your Dishwasher

Save money by changing the seal instead of the entire part. In plenty situations, you are able to acquire the seal separately which saves you having to change the entire component.
Investigate the easy solutions before you get more complicated. There’s no point pulling the whole thing out if it’s the soap that’s causing the problem.
Take photos as you go along. This may assist you to put the machine back together, explain the component you are looking for to a sales person, as well as explain the issue to an engineer if required.
Be careful. Water and electricity do not mix so turn off the power first.
If you’re struggling get in a repair person.

The Next Steps You Should Take If Your Initial Investigation Fails to Identify or Resolve the Leakage

If the root of the leakage is still a mystery the next step you can take is to pull out the machine to get a clearer view of the underneath it and add water to the tub to see if the leak becomes visible.

If you are still in the dark your machine might only show a leakage when it’s running. If this is the case, you should hire a qualified technician to determine as well as resolve the leak as there are safety risks of checking for faults with electrical parts uncovered.