How Concerned Should You Be About A Leaky Dishwasher?
Dishwashers are convenient appliances that can make your life much easier. Unfortunately, any device that uses hot, high-pressure water can also create some messy failures. Leaks from a faulty dishwasher can happen occasionally. Small leaks can be especially problematic if they go unnoticed long enough to damage floors, cabinets, or walls.
The good news is that not every dishwasher leak indicates a catastrophic failure or an expensive problem. This article will discuss three of the most common leaks in dishwashers, starting with a relatively simple and inexpensive problem you can fix yourself and moving up to more severe issues.
1. Faulty or Loose Door Seal
Your dishwasher's door seal is critical, but it's also a relatively cheap and easy fix. If you open your dishwasher door, you should see a rubber gasket lining the outer edge. Since the dishwasher door needs to open and close, it's one of the most vulnerable areas on the machine. This gasket helps ensure that the door fully seals while the dishwasher is running.
Leaks near the front of the dishwasher may indicate that the seal is faulty or loose. Open the door and check for kinks, breaks, cracks, or loose areas. If the gasket seems detached in one or more areas, try pushing it back on. You'll need to replace a seal that appears cracked or broken, but this is an easy job you can do in a few minutes, typically without needing any tools at all.
2. Stuck Inlet Valve
The inlet valve allows water into your dishwasher while it's running. This valve closes once enough water enters the unit, preventing it from overfilling. Sticking is a relatively common failure mode for these valves, and a stuck valve may not close properly once the dishwasher is full. The dishwasher will fill beyond its normal water capacity with the valve stuck open.
Manufacturers design dishwashers to handle a certain amount of water, and excessive water inside the machine can defeat the gaskets and seals that keep your floor dry. As a result, you may find water leaking from near the door or in other unusual areas. If your dishwasher has a bad inlet valve, you'll usually need to replace the valve to stop the leak.
3. Damaged Sump or Motor Seal
The sump pump and motor shaft seals are two of the most critical gaskets on your dishwasher. Leaks from these two locations may also be challenging to notice since the leak will likely occur underneath the machine. If the leak is relatively minor, or if the water runs back towards cabinets, you may not realize anything is wrong until there's already substantial damage.
Addressing these leaks will depend on your machine's particular make and model. An appliance repair technician will first need to identify the source of the leak and then determine if the sump or motor seals are individually replaceable. If not, you may need to replace the whole motor or sump pump assembly.