Once you move on from hand-washing dishes, to an actual dish washer, there is no turning back! So, when the dishwasher starts experiencing issues, there’s no time to waste in getting to the bottom of it. You can always call a local plumber, and for some issues, you should, but with some common dishwasher problems you can diagnose, and repair on your own.
Locating and Fixing Dishwasher Leaks
Dishwashers are designed to not spill a drop water, but leaks can develop if certain parts malfunction or become damaged. If you have an older machine, some parts may be failing due to age and wear and tear, which leads to potential to leaks.
If you notice pooling water or signs of water spray around your dishwasher, it could be coming from one or more of these three areas:
Around the Door: The door is lined with a rubber gasket, much like the one on your refrigerator door. If there is a tear in the gasket, or if it has become cracked and brittle with age, this could be the source of your leak.
At the water source: A hose or pipe carries water from your household plumbing to your dishwasher’s water inlet. If this connection is loose or if a gasket has failed, water could be leaking from this area.
Underneath the dishwasher: There are three places a leak can occur under here: the water inlet, the drain and the seal around the pump. Leaks in these places can be caused by loose or failed hose clamps, cracked gaskets or a broken pump.
If you notice pooling water or signs of water spray around your dishwasher, it could be coming from one or more of these three areas:
Around the Door: The door is lined with a rubber gasket, much like the one on your refrigerator door. If there is a tear in the gasket, or if it has become cracked and brittle with age, this could be the source of your leak.
At the water source: A hose or pipe carries water from your household plumbing to your dishwasher’s water inlet. If this connection is loose or if a gasket has failed, water could be leaking from this area.
Underneath the dishwasher: There are three places a leak can occur under here: the water inlet, the drain and the seal around the pump. Leaks in these places can be caused by loose or failed hose clamps, cracked gaskets or a broken pump.
Move the Dishwasher!
To get a good idea of where the origin of the leak is coming from, you may need to clear out the area under your kitchen sink and remove the front kickplate of your dishwasher. Use a flashlight to look for the source of the water. If your dishwasher isn’t mounted to your countertop or cabinets, you may be able to scoot the dishwasher away from the wall to get a better look. Be careful not to snag or break any of the hoses if you do this.
If you’re lucky, you may be able to pin the source down to a loose connection -- something you can fix in under a minute. If it’s a failed gasket or pump, check your dishwasher manufacturer’s website for information on replacement parts and DIY repairs. You may find the instructions for these repairs surprisingly simple, and if it ends up being something you don’t want to handle yourself, your local plumber can always step in to make it a quick fix.
If you’re lucky, you may be able to pin the source down to a loose connection -- something you can fix in under a minute. If it’s a failed gasket or pump, check your dishwasher manufacturer’s website for information on replacement parts and DIY repairs. You may find the instructions for these repairs surprisingly simple, and if it ends up being something you don’t want to handle yourself, your local plumber can always step in to make it a quick fix.
Too Complex - Call Team Plumbing!
If you ever have any questions and need assistance. Please fee free to give the Colorado Springs plumbing professionals at Team Plumbing a call at: (719) 226-0711. We are always happy to assist with any issues you may be having as with Team Plumbing there is no issue to big or to small for us to help our customers with.
