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A dishwasher is an important appliance that goes unappreciated – until something goes wrong, like a leak spilling water all over the kitchen floor. Like all home appliances, your dishwasher needs to be properly maintained to keep your dishes sparkling. Regardless of whether you have a Maytag, Whirlpool, or KitchenAid dishwasher, maintenance is a must to prevent leaks.
In many cases, the common causes of a leaky dishwasher can be eliminated before calling a plumber. For example, a dishwasher on uneven flooring will eventually leak. Sometimes the dishwasher door just isn’t closing properly.
But if the cause of your leaky dishwasher isn’t that easy to identify, it’s time to look a little closer at the mechanical parts. Depending on your problem, you could be looking at an easy leaky dishwasher fix!
Before we begin…
To find the right replacement parts for your make and model of dishwasher, we highly recommend using Amazon’s nifty part finder. It’s located above the product in the parts and appliances section. By selecting your brand and entering your model number, you can find parts compatible with your dishwasher.
Most Common Causes – Leaky Dishwasher
Clogged Dishwasher Filter
Did you know your dishwasher has a filter? Like most appliance filters, your dishwasher filter needs to be cleaned every now and then. If left unchecked, a dirty filter can prevent your dishes from getting cleaned properly.
If the dishwasher filter is clogged with food and other debris, it can prevent the water from draining. If your dishes aren’t getting as clean as usual, it’s a good time to check your dishwasher filter.
Related: Having issues with a cold oven? Diagnose and fix the problem!
Leaky Dishwasher Door Seal
If water is leaking from your dishwasher onto the kitchen floor, a worn door seal could be to blame. Open the dishwasher and examine the seal closely. In some cases, dirt or debris could be leaving gaps in the seal. Rubber seals can occasionally slip out of their channels, too.
Worn or damaged upper seals are fairly easy to replace. If the lower dishwasher door seal is the problem, you’ll need to remove the door to replace it.
Leaky Water Valve
Overflowing isn’t seen too often in dishwashers, but it does happen. If the dishwasher is leaking because it has too much water in it, the water inlet valve should be the first place you look. The inlet valve controls the amount of water going into your dishwasher.
In most makes and models of dishwashers, checking the water inlet valve is as simple as removing the bottom plate. If you see a slow drip or corrosion on the valve, it’s time to replace it.
To replace a leaky water valve, turn off the main water supply and replace the valve before using your dishwasher again.
Damaged Hose Clamps
Hose clamps are responsible for securing the drain and circulating hoses to the dishwasher pump. They can be found by removing the bottom plate. If the clamps are loose or hoses are showing signs of wear and tear, like cracking, they could be the source of your leak.
To determine, and potentially fix, a leak, try tightening the clamps with a screwdriver. Otherwise, replacing the damaged hose clamps is the safest way to go.
Defective Dishwasher Pump
A defective dishwasher pump located at the bottom of the dishwasher could be the source of your leak. The pump circulates and drains water and is comprised of two parts. If the drain pump shows any signs of damage or fails consistently, it’s time to replace it.
Diagnosing and Fixing a Leaky Dishwasher
Diagnosing and fixing a leaky dishwasher on your own could save you from an expensive plumbing bill. Thankfully, the most common causes are an easy DIY fix. If it turns out to be something more complex, or you can’t diagnose the issue on your own, consider calling a plumber to check it out.
If you have an older dishwasher, fixing a leak could be more trouble than it’s worth. If you ultimately decide you’re in the market for a new dishwasher, we highly recommend Appliances Connection. Did you know new dishwashers, like Maytag, often come with a Leak Detect System?