Last Updated on April 9, 2024 by Ali Hamza
Having a dishwasher at home saves a lot of time and effort in cleaning your dishes, especially on jam-packed days or if you have friends or family over. So, stumbling upon a puddle of water underneath your unit is easily a cause for concern.
Besides causing inconvenience, a leaking dishwasher can result in more severe problems if left untreated right away, like water damage in your home or a costly replacement. If this happens, appliance repair in Birmingham, AL may be necessary. Here are a few reasons why your dishwasher is leaking:
● Clogged Dishwasher Filter
The dishwasher filter traps food debris, residue, and other particles and prevents them from redepositing back to your clean dishes. So, it’s crucial that it is cleaned regularly. If not, food waste and other foreign objects can build up and may eventually cause a clog.
When this happens, water will not properly drain from your unit, resulting in a leak. Besides that, a clogged filter may also affect your dishwasher’s efficiency. To prevent these, make sure to clean the filter at least once a month.
● Faulty Door Seal or Latch
If you notice water leaking right in front of your machine, the issue is most likely with the dishwasher door. It may either be with the rubber seal or latch. These elements form a watertight lock on your dishwasher, but once they become loose, damaged, or worn out, water will seep out of your unit.
The door seal or gasket runs along your dishwasher’s top and bottom and can easily be replaced with a new one. However, the lower seal is a bit more challenging to handle, so it might be best to leave it to an expert. Similarly, a loose door latch can simply be tightened or replaced as necessary.
● Uneven Dishwasher
Another potential cause of your dishwasher leaking is improper alignment. Your unit must be on level ground to function correctly and prevent water from pooling on one side and leaking through the door. To check if your dishwasher is even from front to back, place a level on the bottom rack. Then, set it on the open door and see if it’s aligned from left to right.
You can also use shims to fix misalignments while still leveling the dishwasher before making the necessary adjustments to the front or back legs. If you are unfamiliar with the latter, you can always call a professional for help.
● Loose or Damaged Valves
The water inlet valve is responsible for supplying the water from your household supply to your dishwasher. Any problems with this element may cause a leak, specifically under your machine where it is located. Besides that, a faulty valve may also result in inadequate water levels for a cycle, hindering your dishwasher from functioning properly.
You may access the water inlet valve by removing the bottom plate of the dishwasher door. Check for any corrosions, loose connections, or signs of water dripping from the valve, as well as issues with other components in the same location, like the drain hose. Install a new valve and replace other faulty parts as needed.
● Wrong Detergent Used
While it may not seem like a big deal, choosing the right detergent for your dishwasher is essential. Using regular dish soap on your unit is a no-go as it produces too much foam, which ultimately causes a leak. Also, any dishes washed with ordinary soap may still bubble up in the dishwasher, so make sure not to use them beforehand.
For that reason, it’s crucial only to use a detergent made especially for dishwashers. These do not create any suds during the cycle, preventing water from leaking out of the machine.
Contact an Appliance Repair Company Near You
Learning about some causes of a leaking dishwasher will help you identify which components need to be inspected, repaired, or replaced. While there are ways you can do this on your own, having a professional plumber’s help is most beneficial. Besides ensuring seamless repairs, it’ll also prevent further problems from occurring.
If you suspect any issues with your dishwasher, call for appliance repair in Birmingham, AL. Besides repairs, plumbing experts may also help with installation, maintenance, and other services your dishwasher or other appliances need!
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