There’s nothing worse than loading the dishwasher to clean the house, only to find that the machine has sprung a leak. These leaks are inconvenient, messy, and can be dangerous if they spread toward electronics or outlets. It’s important to hire a dishwasher repair service as soon as possible to avoid further mess and danger, like Prime Appliance Repairs.
There are different areas of your dishwasher which could be to blame for a leak. Whether your washer begins leaking during the filling or draining is telling. Also, where the water begins to pool when the leak starts up tells you about where or why the issue is occurring.
At Prime Appliance Repairs, we know more about dishwasher repairs than anybody else in the business. We are always happy to lend a hand to our clients across the Greater Toronto Area. The best way to deal with a leaky dishwasher is to call a dishwasher repair company. Trying to fix a dishwasher on your own could lead to further breakage, dangerous electrical shocks, or larger leaks in your plumbing.
To help our clients keep informed about dishwasher safety and leaks, we have compiled a list of reasons your washer could be giving you trouble. If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend giving our repair team a call to help you sort things out. Here’s what you should know about dishwasher leaks.
1. Broken injector seal
The water inlet on your dishwasher allows the tub to fill with water to wash your dishes. If you notice a leak on the side of your machine, rather than in front of or under it, it could be a problem with the inlet – specifically a broken seal.
Many mechanical appliances in our homes require the use of seals to keep certain things in and other things out. On your dishwasher, the injector has a seal that resembles a little rubber ring. If this becomes damaged, the injector leaks while pumping water through the inlet.
A broken injector seal is a very small problem and an inexpensive part to procure. This is also a great example of why calling a professional dishwasher repair service can help save you time and money.
After a quick look at your machine, running an empty load and watching for water will tell our repair technicians where your leak is so we can quickly resolve the problem. This prevents you from taking apart other more expensive parts of your machine to find the leak.
2. Overfilling the dishwasher
Your dishwasher is only meant to hold a certain about of water as it runs each load of dishes. Sometimes a problem in one area of the washer — usually the float valve — could cause your machine to take in too much water, or not release water properly as it drains. When the machine overfills, it is unable to contain the water, suds, and dishes instead, and water is forced out.
You may notice your dishwasher is taking on too much water, and it doesn’t appear to be draining properly. When you open your washer is there residual water inside? Are all the dishes clean? Does the remaining water appear dirty or clean? These are all questions that will help your dishwasher repair expert diagnose the problem.
3. Uneven floor
It might seem unlikely, but you would be surprised to find that your dishwasher is a sensitive machine. If your house is not level, or the dishwasher base is not level, it could throw the machine off balance, causing water to spill out where it shouldn’t.
Fortunately, this is one of the easier problems to diagnose and fix, as you can check the evenness of your home by placing a level atop the washer. If the level proves the floor is even, the problem is elsewhere. If the level is unbalanced, you can see which side of the dishwasher needs to be lifted. Sometimes shims are a good solution for leveling out the washer and preventing leaks.
Related article: What Is the Cost of Repairing a Dishwasher in Toronto?
4. Broken valve
A valve is the part of your dishwasher that regulates water flow, controlling the liquid coming in or out of your machine. When a valve is loose or broken, the water isn’t controlled properly.
Most valves are meant to direct water in only a single direction. When the valve breaks, water that should flow in can flow back out — the wrong way. This causes a big leaky mess and prevents your dishwasher from thoroughly cleaning your dishes.
A broken valve is a little pricier to replace than an injector seal, but if a repair professional is able to diagnose it early, it could prevent time wasted taking apart your machine in search of the leak.
5. Improperly latching door
The dishwasher door is one of the most common areas for a leak. This can happen for several reasons, but most likely, something is keeping your door from closing all the way. A broken door latch is a pain, but it doesn’t require anybody to open up the inner workings of your machine and take anything important apart. A dishwasher repair expert can easily diagnose a door latch and have it replaced in no time.
6. Too much soap
If your machine is filling, not just with too much water, but too much soap suds, problems will ensue. Different types of detergents perform differently in each machine. It’s important to note the type and quantity of detergent best suited for your machine make and model. If you’re unsure about this, consult your manual or look for recommendations and reviews online.
Fortunately, too much soap is an easy fix and requires no drastic repairs or parts. Instead, cleaning the machine with just water and a switch to a new brand of dishwasher soap should do the trick.
7. Hole in the tub
One of the worst leaks to find in your dishwasher is due to a hole in the dishwasher tub. The tub is the main internal area of the machine, and when a hole forms over time, the water seeps out with every wash. While these holes can be mended in some models, many professionals will recommend getting a new machine. However, we at Prime Appliance Repairs still recommend contacting a professional for a second opinion.
If you are facing a leaky dishwasher and would like to know more about why it’s leaking, call Prime Appliance Repairs at 1-647-952-1517 or contact us here.
