Ah, the trusty dishwasher leak. An unsung hero of the kitchen as it dutifully makes easy work of a day’s worth of dirty dishes, week after week, load after load. You can get so accustomed to its steady performance, it’s easy to forget that things can go wrong – like leaks, for example.

Some leaks may be minor and difficult to spot, while others create huge puddles on the floor. Either way, ignoring a leak can lead to major water damage to your cabinets, flooring and the ceiling below.

Here are 4 reasons your dishwasher may be leaking and what you can do about it.

Failing Gasket Seal

The rubber gasket along the edge of a dishwasher’s door helps keep water inside the appliance. Over time, gaskets become dry, brittle, and crack. If yours appears to be damaged, jot down the model number and pick up a new one from your local hardware store.

Stuck or Clogged Spray Arm

A spray arm spins during the wash cycle to cover all dirty items. But after years of use, it can become stuck, dislodged, or damaged from constant residue build-up and other causes. If you suspect this is the culprit, remove the bottom dish rack and remove any obstructions. Spin the spray arm to see if it spins freely. If not, a new one might be needed. Using the model number of your dishwasher, order a replacement spray arm from the manufacturer and follow their replacement instructions or hire a pro to do the job for you.

Damaged Drain Hose

The drain hose moves water from the appliance to the drain pump, then the drain line, and ultimately down the sink drain. Connections can become loose or the hose can tear or crack over time, resulting in water leaking onto your floor. Remove the kickplate beneath the dishwasher door, run a short cycle, and open the door about halfway through the cycle to check for leaks along the hose or connections. Once the cycle ends, tighten any loose connections. If that doesn’t do the trick and you’re feeling handy, order a replacement hose from the manufacturer and replace it following the instruction manual.

Inlet Valve

The inlet valve allows water to flow into the tub during a wash cycle. However, if it doesn’t open and close when it should, it could overfill the dishwasher tub with water, causing the excess to leak out. Start a short cycle and open the dishwasher door halfway through. If water continues to enter the tub, the culprit is likely a defective inlet valve. Again, a replacement can be ordered from the manufacturer and installed following your owner’s manual instructions.

Where plumbing exists, water leaks can occur – a simple fact of life for a homeowner. And while we are not an appliance repair company, we can fix water leaks throughout your plumbing system, including pipes, toilets, faucets, and your water heater. For help with water leak detection, repair, or pipe replacement, contact PC Plumbing, Heating, AC & Remodeling now or anytime.