Dishwasher Leaking? Where the Water Is Coming From

A puddle in front of the dishwasher is never a welcome sight. Left alone, even a slow leak can soak the subfloor, lift laminate and grow mould under the cabinets before you notice.

The good news is that a dishwasher leaking usually comes down to a handful of causes, and some are simple to fix. It is one of the more common calls we get in kitchens around Kitchener and Guelph, and where the water shows up is always the best clue.

First, turn off the dishwasher at the breaker (or unplug it if it has a plug under the sink) and shut the water supply valve under the kitchen sink. Dry the floor completely so you can see where fresh drips appear.

1. Water at the Door: The Gasket

The rubber gasket around the door keeps water in the tub. If it is torn, flattened or caked with food, water can escape at the bottom corners of the door.

Wipe it with a damp cloth and look closely for gaps or cracks. A damaged gasket is a straightforward part to replace.

2. Water at the Door: The Wrong Detergent

Regular dish soap in a dishwasher creates a wall of suds that pushes out through the door. Even too much dishwasher detergent can do it, especially with soft water.

Use only detergent made for dishwashers, and follow the dose on the package.

3. A Dishwasher That Is Not Level

If the dishwasher tilts forward, water pools against the door and can seep past the seal. Set a level on the open door and on the racks. Most models have adjustable front feet behind the kick plate.

4. Water Underneath: The Inlet Valve and Supply Line

The water supply line and inlet valve usually connect at a front bottom corner, behind the kick plate. With the power and water off, remove the kick plate and use a flashlight to look for drips or white mineral crust around the fittings.

A cracked or crusted valve needs replacing. Because it sits right beside the electrical connection, that job is best left to a technician.

5. Water Underneath: The Drain Hose

The drain hose runs from the dishwasher to the sink drain or garbage disposal. Cracks, loose clamps or a worn connection at the sink end can drip into the cabinet or run back under the dishwasher.

Check the cabinet under the sink as well. A leak there often shows up on the kitchen floor and gets blamed on the dishwasher.

6. A Clogged Filter

When the filter at the bottom of the tub is clogged, water cannot drain fast enough and can rise high enough to leak past the door.

Most newer dishwashers have a removable filter that should be cleaned every month or so. Twist it out and rinse it under the tap.

7. A Stuck Float

A small float in the bottom of the tub tells the dishwasher when to stop filling. If food debris makes it stick, the machine can overfill. Make sure it lifts and drops freely.

8. The Pump or the Tub

If the leak is coming from under the machine and nothing above explains it, the pump seal may be worn. In rarer cases, the tub itself has cracked. Both mean pulling the dishwasher out and working near wiring, so this is where a technician should take over.

Do Not Keep Running It

Water and electrical parts do not mix, and damage to floors and cabinets builds quietly. If water is reaching the wiring box or you smell burning, keep the breaker off and call for service.

Let Us Find the Leak

When you cannot pin down the source, or it is coming from inside the machine, Al's Appliance can help. We provide dishwasher repair in Kitchener and dishwasher repair in Guelph, along with in-home service in Waterloo and Cambridge. If the repair does not make sense for an older machine, we also carry new, used and scratch and dent appliances with delivery available.

Call 519-824-8828 or visit alsappliance.ca to book. The sooner a leak is found, the less there is to fix.