The Door Handle on My Dishwasher Leaks

Diagnosis

• A leaking dishwasher can damage your kitchen floors and pose an inconvenience by requiring cleanup after each use. To determine whether the leak is coming from the handle or somewhere else, examine the dishwasher door as it runs. Water from the handle may run along the top of the door before dripping down the sides, making it appear as though the door is leaking, when in fact only the handle is allowing water out. If your dishwasher is old or in disrepair, it may have multiple leaks.

Accessing the Handle

• If you determine that your dishwasher's handle is indeed the site of a leak, attempt to repair it when the dishwasher is empty and dry. Open the door and look for screws that attach the inner door liner to the rest of the door assembly. These screws are usually inside the perimeter established by the door's watertight gasket. By removing each of the screws, you'll be able to access the handle from the inside, where it mounts to the door assembly.

Handle Repair

• A dishwasher handle features a latch that forces it to hold the door tightly closed. It also has mounting holes that line up with screws, which go through holes in the door itself. The latch and mounting holes are the most likely sources of a handle leak. If the handle is loose, simply tightening the screws may be enough to stop the leak. New handles are available from some dishwasher manufacturers if you need to replace a faulty latch or cracked handle.

Results

• After installing a new dishwasher handle, or tightening the old handle, run a test by loading the dishwasher and operating it normally. Check the handle at each stage of the wash cycle to see if it is dry on all sides and in the place where it meets the door. If the problem persists, you may need a new door assembly or a new handle if you didn't install one during your repairs.