Maintenance in your home is something that every homeowner will have to deal with. The maintenance can vary from very simple to extremely frustrating. Keep in mind that home maintenance should be fairly standard and a checklist of routine maintenance should be easy to follow. In some cases, appliances act up and cause you stress. For example, coming home from work and noticing that your dishwasher is leaking after you run a cycle. Why is my dishwasher leaking? There are a variety of reasons why your dishwasher is leaking water. You should call your master plumber.
Let’s take a look below at what is involved with a leaking dishwasher.
What Is Causing This To Happen?
Believe it or not, there are a variety of reasons why a dishwasher could start leaking. Let’s take a look below at what those reasons might be.
- Door gasket failure – Over time, the gasket around the dishwasher door can stop creating a watertight seal. If this occurs, water can seep out of the machine while it is running. As your machine rinses your dishes food becomes loose and settles. Once the dishwasher is dried, the food dries and can build up on the door seal. This creates the inability for a vacuum-tight seal. It is time to replace the gasket.
- Spray arm can’t spin – If you overpack your dishwasher the spray arm cannot spin and rinse as it cycles through. After years of blocking the spray arm, the spray arm will eventually become dislodged and will stop rotating properly. This could cause leaks.
- The float switch isn’t cutting off – Float switches monitor the water supply level in your dishwasher. If it is malfunctioning during the wash and rinse cycles water could seep out of the dishwasher.
- The drain hose is clogged or damaged – If the drain line gets a clog or is cracked or damaged, water will back up and spill over onto the floor. You will see water exiting via the end of the drain line.
- The water inlet valve isn’t closing – This part is located at the bottom of the dishwasher. It allows water to flow through the machine during the dishwashing cycle. When the water inlet valve fails to open and close properly, water will build up in the machine and have nowhere to go but leak out. You will notice the water leaks from the bottom.
Keep in mind that any water leaking from your dishwasher during the wash cycle is likely due to a lack of rubber sealing. Open the dishwasher door and check the dish soap to ensure it isn’t creating a leaky dishwasher. Dishwasher detergent can sometimes stick and keep the dishwasher from sealing properly.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you know why your dishwasher is leaking you can reach out to the right professional. Most likely, you will be calling on a master plumber.
Next, it is important to know who installs dishwashers. If you ever have to invest in a replacement, knowing if you need an electrician or a master plumber is key.
Lastly, if you need to replace your dishwasher, read up on how long it takes to replace one. Doing this allows you to schedule your day accordingly.
When Do I Call A Professional?
When it comes to dealing with a leaking dishwasher, it is likely best to call a master plumber. In some cases, your dishwasher could have a clog that needs to be fixed, or there could be an issue with the plumbing that feeds water to the dishwasher. Also, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can inspect your plumbing and determine what else could be the cause of your dishwasher leaking water.
Conclusion
For some homeowners, owning a dishwasher is a luxury. Believe it or not, not all homes have a dishwasher. Some older homes might not have the electrical capacity to support a dishwasher. Also, they might not have the space to install one. Keep in mind that if you are experiencing plumbing issues with your current dishwasher you will want to call on a master plumber. Before you do that, call on your local home inspection team. They can inspect your plumbing and refer you to a reputable master plumber. Reach out to All Coast Home Inspections for a home inspection in Houston, TX.
