Tips For Troubleshooting A Leaking Dishwasher

One of the most common problems with dishwashers is water leaks. While some leaks are caused by major problems requiring either a professional appliance repair or even replacement of the dishwasher, others are very simple to fix.

If you have some basic DIY skills and decide to troubleshoot your leaking dishwasher before calling an appliance repair service, then here are some tips.

Tip: Start Troubleshooting with the Simple Things

It is common for homeowners to see water on the floor in front of their dishwasher and freak out thinking the appliance has reached the end of its useful life. However, often dishwasher leaks are caused by simple problems.

Before diving into advanced troubleshooting, take a moment to check the basics:

• Is there something stopping the door from completely closing shut?
• Is the door gasket damaged or loose from the frame?
• Is the spray arm at the bottom of the machine still freely spinning?

Something as simple as a spray arm stuck from a stray utensil or a damaged door gasket can cause a dishwasher to leak water onto the floor.

Tip: Check the Float Assembly for Proper Function

At the bottom of every dishwasher is a float that is connected to an electrical switch. The purpose of the float switch is to keep the right water level inside the machine during both the wash and rinse cycles.

If the float gets stuck or the float switch fails, then instead of turning off the water, the water keeps running and floods your kitchen.

Locate the float inside the bottom of the dishwasher and make sure it is not stuck on a utensil, chunk of food, or other obstruction. Pull the float up and make sure it moves freely. If it sticks, then this is the reason for the water under your dishwasher. Replacing the float or cleaning it will solve the problem.

If the float appears to be fine, then check its switch with a multimeter to ensure it hasn't burned out. If the current doesn't flow through the switch, then replacing it will solve the problem.

Tip: Know How to Stay Safe from Electrocution

Lastly, it is important to mention that troubleshooting and repairing a dishwasher always comes with some intrinsic dangers. Dishwashers are connected to both plumbing and electrical current making them an electrocution risk to work on.

Before pulling the dishwasher out of the cabinet and ever touching it with a tool, make sure you turn off the electrical power at the breaker box and turn off the water supply.

If you are unsure how to stay safe while working on a dishwasher, then call a professional appliance repair service, such as Bison Mechanical.