What to Do When My Dishwasher Is Leaking?

A leaking dishwasher can be a nuisance. Seriously! When it starts to leak, be sure to diagnose the problem as soon as possible. That way, you’ll save yourself the headache of dealing with a damaged floor or subfloor.

For starters, the primary cause of dishwasher leaks is a broken door. When it doesn’t shut properly, you’ll start to notice water leaking out during a cleaning cycle. Trying to push an oversized dish against the door can also cause the problem. But, in most cases, you have to replace some parts to fix the issue once and for all.

What follows is a rundown of possible fixes to help you prevent a potentially expensive mess.

Replace the Door Seal

As stated, one of the common reasons your dishwasher might leak is because of a damaged or deteriorated door seal. More specifically, a faulty tub gasket (as it is also known), allows water to leak from the lower sides of your door.

The easiest way to fix this problem is to inspect your dishwasher’s door. Be on the lookout for noticeable defects around the area. Get and install a new seal.

Replace the Water Inlet Valve

An inlet valve (also known as a solenoid fill valve) works by allowing water to flow into your dishwasher throughout the entire cleaning cycle. By extension, this means water will not get into the dishwasher tub if the inlet valve is faulty or fails to open.

On top of that, water will fill your dishwasher’s tub if the valve doesn’t close properly. The ripple effect is that you’ll start to experience minor leaks. Replace the defective inlet valve to solve this problem.

Replace the Drain

A drain line is also known as a drain hose. It carries water out of your dishwasher tub at the end of a cleaning cycle. Like most parts of your appliance, the hose deteriorates with use, causing leaks in the process. Replace a worn-out drain line to keep you dishwasher working flawlessly again.

Replace the Door Latch Assembly

Indeed, your dishwasher can still leak even with the door locked tightly. The most probable fault in such a scenario is a broken door latch. Put differently; the latch isn’t holding the shut door properly. Inspect the door latch assembly to see if there’s any damage and replace it to ensure that the door remains shut during a cleaning cycle.

Replace the Drain Pump

Start by checking the sink drain, sump and drain hose for blockage. If the path is clear and the pump isn’t pushing out water, then it means the pump is faulty. Inspect it while checking for dents or cracks. Buy and install a new one.

Replace the Heating Element

The element heats your dishwasher’s tub, an action that ensures your dishes clean during the cycle and most importantly, dry at the end of it. To diagnose the problem, check the element for noticeable signs of dysfunction or damage. Look for any faulty wiring if there’s little or no heat at the end of a cleaning cycle. In most cases, a blown-up fuse or issues with the control setting are the cause of the problem.

DIY Repairs or Hiring a Pro?

Sure, you can fix your leaking dishwasher if you have the skills. But, you’re better off hiring a professional to check the unit on your behalf. Why? Well, here are some benefits of paying a pro to handle your dishwasher repairs.

The expertise factor – an experienced expert will detect the problem a few minutes after checking your dishwasher. Further, he/she has the skills to deal with the problem. In other words, you can rest assured that your dishwasher will start working again with zero leaks if you let a pro repair it.

It saves you time – repairing a dishwasher for leaks isn’t the simplest of tasks. It’s time-consuming and requires attention to details. Put differently – this isn’t a task you can carry out if you’re in a hurry. A professional will check your unit thoroughly and fix any problem one step at a time. That way, you can get time to attend to other issues.

Guarantees – a reputable dishwasher service isn’t afraid to stand with the quality of its work. It, therefore, offers predetermined guarantees and warranties. On your part, this translates to peace of mind. You expect the company to honor the guarantee and warranty if anything happens within the specified period.  

That’s just about it – a detailed outline of what you should do when your dishwasher starts to leak!