Dishwasher Leaks: Prevention & Repair Tips

One of the most common reasons for a flood or standing water in your kitchen is a dishwasher leak. They can cause more problems than a puddle on the floor, so keep reading for tips on how to prevent leaks, as well as find exactly where your dishwasher is leaking and fix it.

If you’ve experienced a leak that has dumped what looks like a gallon or more of water on the floor, it’s best handled by professionals. Standing water can quickly seep into your flooring, carpets, and even drywall and can cause more damage, including dangerous mold.

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Common Reasons For A Dishwasher Leak

Before you start trying to figure out why your dishwasher is leaking, make sure you unplug it (if possible) and shut off power at the circuit breaker. You also want to close the water valve (typically under your kitchen sink) is closed.

If you have a copy of your dishwasher’s user manual that’s a great place to start so you know exactly where to look. If you can’t find it, try searching online for a PDF version, as many appliance companies provide online resources.

Clogged Filter

So many of us completely forget to simply check our dishwasher filter regularly. Some are built-in and others can detach. Over time food debris can get caught in the filter, build up, and block water from draining properly.

Checking for a clogged filter is a great first step to rule out before moving on to look for more complex causes for dishwasher leaks.

Failing Gasket Seal

If you see water leaking from the sides of your dishwasher, open the door and check the gasket to see if it has cracked, hardened, or there are missing pieces, or even dried-on food that could be messing with the seal.

Replacing a gasket can be a simple fix. Just check your owner’s guide to get the right replacement part (often can be found at your local hardware store), then follow the instructions to replace it.

Spray Arm Is Stuck

If your dishwasher isn’t loaded correctly or is overloaded, dishes and utensils can block the motion of the internal spray arm. Over time it can become damaged or dislodged, which can cause leaks.

Damaged Drain Hose

To check the area where a drain hose could leak, remove the plate below your dishwasher’s door, then run a cycle to look for leaks at the clamps or along the hose. If the hose itself is damaged, you’ll need to replace it. If the clamps have become loose, make sure to reconnect the hose and tighten them.

When To Replace Your Dishwasher

Most repairs on a dishwasher are fairly affordable, depending on your model. However, keep in mind that dishwashers are typically designed to last about 10 years. If you have a model that’s a decade older or more, it may be more affordable to replace the entire unit.

Handling The Repairs

Remember, if your dishwasher leaks are substantial enough to dump a gallon or more of water on your kitchen floor, give us a call! While we can’t repair the appliance itself, we can handle the water cleanup for you.

We’ll walk you through the water damage restoration process step-by-step so you can relax knowing your home is in the hands of professionals.

Our services include mold restoration, water damage cleanup, fire damage restoration, storm damage repair, and other necessary restoration services.