Is Your Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes? 7 Reasons Why

As all its residents know, Madison offers all the conveniences of the city amidst gorgeous scenic views. From its access to gorgeous lakes and winding biking trails nestled amongst maple and ash trees to its local goods at farmers' markets and its rich cultural scene, backed by a supportive community, it's no wonder it's such a popular city to set down roots. Though homeowners will find these many benefits to living in Madison, as any homeowner knows, your appliances may fall into disrepair from time to time, presenting problems, such as dishwasher leaking issues. When this happens, your local Madison appliance repair expert is here to help.

Mr. Appliance of Madison WI is the trusted expert when it comes to appliance repair companies. When you're faced with a dishwasher leaking all over the floor, you'll want to make sure it's taken care of right away to prevent serious water damage and potential structural damage. Whether you've got a clogged detergent dispenser or a broken spray arm, we'll help you get to the bottom of your dishwasher leaking issues.

In this blog, we'll be exploring the common causes behind your dishwasher leaking and what you can do to troubleshoot the issue!

Dishwasher Disrepair: 5 Reasons Why Your Dishwasher is Leaking Water

We know how much you depend on your dishwasher. In modern households, the quiet swish of your dishwashing unit is a gentle sound you've become accustomed to, accenting your daily routines. But what happens when that quiet swell is replaced by a dishwasher leaking water all over your floors? Well, there are 5 common culprits behind the issue. In this post, we'll outline these problems and common solutions you can employ to help fix them.

1. Water Supply Line Is Leaking

Issue: When you find your dishwasher is leaking water all over your clean kitchen floors, the most likely culprit is your water supply line. Your water supply line is essential for the smooth running of your dishwasher. It supplies hot water to your machine, which helps break apart food particles and residue more easily. But, as with any component of a water-based appliance, it can become damaged, broken or weakened due to wear.

Solution: If water is leaking out of the bottom of your machine, it's a good indicator that your water supply line is at the root of your dishwasher leaking issue. To find out if this is the issue, first, unplug the appliance and remove the lower panel and sound insulation. The hookup should be at the left corner of the machine. If the hose connection is loose, you can try tightening it by hand. If this doesn't do the trick, then you'll need to call in professionals for assistance with your dishwasher leaking issues.

2. The Unit is Not Level

Issue: Sometimes the issue behind a dishwasher leaking on your floor is simply that the dishwasher is not resting on level ground. When this is the case, the water will overflow out of the top of the dishwasher tub and leave an unsightly puddle of water under the unit. The machine will need to be levelled out to stop this issue.

Solution: To level your dishwasher, first place a level on the top of the unit. This will let you know if the machine is level or not. If the level bubble isn't resting in the center, you'll need to start by unplugging the machine's power cord. Next, take off the lower panel of the unit and readjust the levelling legs until the dishwasher rests evenly, according to the level reading. Replace the lower panel and plug the unit back in. And voilà! Hopefully, your dishwasher leaking issues are at an end.

3. Dirty Dishwasher Gasket

Issue: When you find your dishwasher is leaking, dirt and debris in your door gasket may be obstructing your unit door from closing. The door gasket creates a watertight seal, so when the gasket is dirty or defective, it may cause the water from your appliance to escape from the rubber seal.

Solution: To fix this dishwasher leaking issue simply dampen a cloth and scrub the door gasket until all food particles, dust, and debris have been removed. For those hard-to-reach cracks in the seal, dampen a toothbrush with soapy water and scrub out these areas. If you've noticed any mold lining the leaky gasket, scrub these areas with hydrogen peroxide. If the faulty gasket is cracked, damaged, or broken, this is a sign of a bad door seal, and it will need to be replaced.

4. Damaged or Broken Latch

Issue: If the rubber gasket has been cleaned out, but water is still escaping from your unit's gasket, then the cause behind your dishwasher leaking problem could be a broken latch. The latch acts as a lock and ensures the dishwashing door remains closed for the duration of the wash cycle.

Solution: To check if the latch is the issue behind the problem when your dishwasher is leaking, inspect the latch for any damage or warping. The latch is located under the plastic component of the machine's interior door. If this component is loose, you can try securing it in place by tightening it with a screwdriver. If the latch is broken, you'll need a replacement to halt any future dishwasher leaking issues.

5. Leaking Drain Hose Line

Issue: Your drain line is an essential component of your dishwashing machine. It connects to your kitchen sink or garbage disposal and allows unwanted food debris and gray water to drain out of your dishwasher, leaving your dishes sparkling clean. If your dishwasher is leaking, you may have a loose connection issue with your drain line.

Solution: Your drain line should be connected either under your sink or at the back of your dishwashing unit. To check if the line is loose, locate the drain line and check to ensure the hose clamp is in the correct position, according to your owner's manual. If the line is installed correctly and hasn't come loose, then the issue is likely due to a drain line clog. To clear your line of blockage, the best course of action is to call in a qualified professional to help when your dishwasher is leaking.

Dishwasher Leaking Maintenance

Now that you know the troubleshooting methods you can apply when your dishwasher is leaking, you may be wondering how to prevent this issue in the future. Some methods that you can employ for dishwasher leaking preventative maintenance include:

  • Scraping off dried-on food before loading: this will help keep your filter stay clean and free of debris and blockages, lessening the chances of a dishwasher leaking.
  • Getting power surge protection: When your appliances are the victims of power surges, it can cause thousands of dollars of damage. A power surge protector takes on much of this power and will help protect your precious machines against dishwasher leaking issues and more.
  • Getting a water softener installed: Hard water can leave significant mineral buildup in your machines, hindering their ability to run smoothly. Soft water will help with dishwasher leaking and other dishwasher issues.
  • Invest in annual maintenance services: It's worth considering getting our appliance repair professionals in annually to ensure your machine is running smoothly and to prevent dishwasher leaking issues in the future. Even if it seems like things are in good condition, you may have small problems that are much easier to fix before they become unruly.

Speedy Solutions: If Your Dishwasher is Leaking, Call Mr. Appliance for Fast, Efficient Repair

If you've tried the mentioned DIY solutions, and your essential appliance is leaking water all over the floor, then it's time to call Mr. Appliance of Madison WI to take care of the issue! We have extensive experience in our field, coupled with renowned expertise and a high dedication to customer satisfaction, making us the best appliance repair company in the business!

Besides assisting Madison with dishwasher leaking issues, we're proud to serve our local communities of Middleton, Sun Prairie, and Verona with a wide range of services. Some of the services we offer are dishwasher repair, refrigerator repair, oven repair, and more!

We service many brands of common appliances for all kinds of repairs. Some of these include Bosch, Dacor, Miele, Maytag, Samsung, Jenn Air, KitchenAid, LG, GE and more! For services, no matter the type of dishwasher or common household appliance, depend on Mr. Appliance.

In addition to our top-notch craftsmanship, we provide our Neighborly Done Right Promise. This promise ensures that you're happy with any job we perform. We believe that a job isn't done until it's done right, so if the job isn't done right the first time, we promise to make it right. When you choose us, we want you to be happy you did.

Contact us today if you have a dishwasher leaking and need an expert to diagnose the issue and fix it. Say goodbye to high water bills and hello to enhanced energy efficiency. Help is on the way with Mr. Appliance of Madison WI!