First things first, shut off the breaker to the dishwasher to avoid any short circuits! Dishwasher flooding is not always something that you can prevent. There are many small problems that could be causing your dishwasher to leak that are undetectable to people with no dishwasher knowledge. Our professionals at Knight Plumbing are happy to help you diagnose any dishwasher flooding issues! Below, we have accumulated some of the most common reasons your dishwasher might be leaking!
Loose Seal
The door seal, commonly referred to as a gasket, is the leading culprit for a dishwasher leaking from the front. This seal can be damaged from food particles, broken glass, or dishes poking it during the wash cycle. Diagnosing a torn or punctured gasket is a fairly easy task. If you run your hand around the seal on the door or look closely, you should be able to see if there is any damage. If you know the make and model of your dishwasher, you can order a new gasket and replace it yourself while following an online guide!
Improper Alignment
If you have an unlevel dishwasher, leaking is going to be only one of your problems. You will probably also experience unclean dishes even after it has been run because the arms will not distribute water properly for an even clean. Your dishwasher also won’t drain correctly, causing water to pool in the bottom of the tub. The undrained water can become stagnant, create an odor, and spray onto your supposedly clean dishes. Aligning your dishwasher and ensuring it is level when installing it can save you time and stress of trying to figure out why your new dishwasher is not working adequately!
Wrong Detergent
Many people do not realize that you have to use specific detergents in your dishwasher. If you use traditional dish soap, you risk flooding and bubbles everywhere! Dishwasher detergent is specially designed to create no suds when it goes through the wash cycle. Using the wrong soap can not only be harmful to the dishwasher itself but also to your floors in your kitchen. Always make sure you buy the correct soap and only use dishwasher-friendly soap before you start a load of dishes.
Cracked Dishwasher Tub
A crack developing in the tub of your dishwasher is a very common problem, especially for old dishwashers that have run their fair share of cycles. Certain detergents, food particles, or dishes that fall in the tub and rub certain spots can cause a hole. You may not even realize there is a hole or crack until your dishwasher starts to leak onto your floor. In some cases, it is possible to reseal and fix the crack in your tub. Since the cracks usually occur in older dishwashers, the more common fix to this problem is replacing the entire unit out for a newer model.
Fixing a leaking dishwasher can be an overwhelming process until you find the solution. If you need help solving your leaky dishwasher problem, contact Knight Plumbing today and we will help you through it all!
