Why Dishwashers Leak and What to Do About It
Is Your Dishwasher Leaking? Use These Tips to Find Out.
Your dishwasher is an important part of your home, but things can easily go wrong over time. Depending on when your machine was made, it could have anywhere from three to over a dozen gallons of water running through it during a normal cycle. That’s a lot of fluid, some of which could end up on your kitchen floor.
You might not realize you have a leaking dishwasher right away. It’s easy to dismiss a small pool of water on the floor, especially if you do a lot of cooking, have small children, or tend to track water through the kitchen. But this could be a sign that your dishwasher needs repair. Learn more about these complex appliances and what causes them to leak.
How Does Your Dishwasher Work?
Let’s start with the basics. Most dishwashers get rid of dirt and grime using water and detergent. Once the cycle begins, water will start to fill up in the basin at the bottom. The machine will then heat up the water and mix it with detergent. Instead of elbow grease, the machine applies pressure to the water to remove the residual food. The spray arms spin as they shoot water at the dishes. All the food and dirt go to the bottom of the basin. The machine drains the dirty water before rinsing the dishes with regular water to remove any leftover detergent. It then drains the second pool of water.
Common Dishwasher Leak Causes:
With all these moving parts, dishwashers can leak for all sorts of reasons. Let’s start with the most common.
Leaking Door
The door of your dishwasher is designed to keep water from leaking out the sides. If the latch isn’t working or the door doesn’t fully close, you may need to replace the latch.
The door also comes with a gasket, or rubber seal, that adheres to the shape of the wall. The rubber may lose its elasticity over time, which can cause water to leak out the bottom. If the seal is damaged or broken, water will easily escape. This is an easy fix. You can replace the gasket yourself or hire a professional to make sure it’s applied evenly.
Leaking Basin
The basin is one of the most important parts of your dishwasher. Everything that goes into your dishwasher runs through the basin, including water, food, dirt, and detergent. All this debris can damage the lining of the basin, causing it to leak. Hard water, minerals, and other hard objects will wear away at the basin. Check the basin for holes and cracks where water can escape. You will also notice water collecting underneath the dishwasher. If the basin is damaged, it’s usually best to replace the appliance all together.
Damaged Valves
The valves the pump the water through the spray arms can also leak over time. You may need to replace one or more of these valves if you notice water dripping down the sides. The drain may also spring a leak if it isn’t connected properly. Check all the connections to make sure they are securely attached.
Overflowing Dishwasher
It’s never a good idea to overfill your dishwasher. This might prevent the door from closing all the way. Overly dirty dishes and large quantities of food and other objects can also clog the drain in the basin, which can lead to flooding.
Using the wrong detergent or too much can also be a problem. This creates too much foam, which can cause the machine to leak.
Don’t ignore the warning signs if your dishwasher needs repair. Contact Absolute Appliance Repair in San Rafeal and Mill County to fix the problem before it gets worse.
