Dishwasher Leaking Onto the Floor

The short answer: where the water shows up tells you the cause. Water at the front of the door is usually the gasket. Water underneath points to a valve or hose.

Too much detergent can cause leaks that look like a bad seal.

What usually causes it

• Worn door gasket. The rubber seal hardens and cracks, letting water out at the door.
• Too much detergent. Suds push water past a good seal.
• Cracked or loose spray arm. It can spray water at the door instead of the dishes.
• Failing water inlet valve. It can leak or let water into the tub when the dishwasher is off.
• Loose or cracked drain hose. Leaks show up underneath during draining.

What you can check yourself

• Find where it leaks. Water at the door points to the gasket, spray arm or soap. Water underneath points to the valve or hoses.
• Inspect the door gasket. Wipe it and look for cracks, and make sure no dish blocks the door from closing.
• Use less detergent. Dish soap or too much detergent causes suds that push water past the seal.
• Check the spray arms. They should spin freely and sit firmly.

How to prevent it

• Use only the recommended amount of detergent.
• Wipe the gasket regularly and keep it free of debris.
• Don’t overload or block the door with tall items.

When to call a technician

Call us if:

• It still leaks after you check the gasket and detergent
• Water appears underneath the unit
• The floor or cabinet is getting damp

These repairs involve live voltage, gas or hidden parts, so we recommend leaving them to a professional.

Service call: $89, waived when you go ahead with the repair. Warranty: 90 days on every repair.