If you’ve just walked into your kitchen to find a pool of water in front of your dishwasher, take a deep breath and try not to panic. A dishwasher leaking water can happen for some very simple reasons, so you don’t need to start shopping for a new dishwasher just yet. POM Plumbing is here to help you figure out what’s going on.
Soap Mistakes
One of the most simple problems that can cause a dishwasher leaking water is using the wrong kind of soap. This is especially worth checking into if you have children or young teens who help with the dishes.
Dish detergent is specially designed to work in dishwashers. Using dish soap, hand soap, or other kinds of non-detergent soaps can cause the dishwasher to leak. This is because these soaps are made to create a lot of sudsy bubbles, which your dishwasher isn’t made to handle. The excess bubbles can actually force their way out of the dishwasher, bringing a lot of water with them.
If you used the wrong soap or someone else ran the dishwasher last, try running it again. Turn it on with no soap in it and see if it makes it through a cycle without leaking. You may want to lay down some towels or keep a close eye on it though. If it starts leaking partway through, turn it off and resume investigation.
Door Malfunctions
The next most common cause of a dishwasher leaking water is the door malfunctioning. This generally comes in one of two flavors: your door latch is loose or the door gasket is damaged.
If the door latch is loose or faulty, it won’t hold the door shut as tight as it needs to, allowing water to come out. If your dishwasher opens really easily or the door wiggles around when latched, you should replace the latch.
However, even if your latch works perfectly fine, your dishwasher door gasket might be doing a poor job. As this gasket is the only thing sealing the dishwasher, a small tear, break, or worn spot can leak water. Take a look at the length of the gasket and check for weak spots. If you find any, it’s time to buy a replacement gasket.
Hose and Valve Breaks
If the door of the dishwasher isn’t the site of the leak, the next most likely cause is a break in your water hose or valve. These can be accessed by removing the panel at the bottom, front of the dishwasher. If you can feel a break in the hose, it’s likely the water spilled out before ever reaching the dishwasher. Replacing these parts is a bit trickier than a gasket or latch and may be worth calling us for.
More Complicated Problems
If none of these problems seem to be the culprit of your dishwasher leaking, call us at POM Plumbing. We’ll be happy to come out and have a look. Sometimes problems with a dishwasher leaking are from more complicated issues, such as pipe placement. We have a keen eye for plumbing problems and can make quick work of your dishwasher leak, saving you time.
