My Kenmore Dishwasher Is Leaking On the Lower Left Side

Gasket Basics

• Gaskets are what the dishwasher uses to form a seal between its chamber and the outside world. They are made of rubber and are designed to maintain an airtight seal so that no water can escape and leak onto your floor. Open your Kenmore dishwasher door and check out the outer edge; you should be able to see a white or gray strip of rubber surrounding the perimeter of the door's interior as well as another rubber seal at the bottom.

Gasket Leaks

• The gaskets remain airtight as long as the rubber is soft enough to create a vacuum between the plastic of the dishwasher and the gasket. Over time, however, the gasket will harden and become less effective at keeping out water. It may also tear, break or otherwise degrade, which only reduces its effectiveness. The only option to fix that nasty leak properly is to replace the gaskets.

Gasket Removal

• Shut off power to the dishwasher before attempting to remove the gaskets to avoid the risk of electric shock. Open the dishwasher door and peel off the rubber gasket stripping. It should peel off rather easily, especially if it is hardened or worn down. The stripping secures into grooves that hold it in place, so pull it out at an angle or wedge it with a butter knife if you're having trouble. The gasket at the bottom of the dishwasher door should just slide out if you give it a good tug.

Replacement

• Put the new gasket in place by pushing it into the grooves along the edges of the door. Use your thumbs to really jam it in at an angle so it fits snugly. It shouldn't wiggle. Work the gasket all the way around the door until it is properly seated. Jam the bottom door gasket into its slot and give your dishwasher a test run. Your Kenmore dishwasher should no longer be leaking from the doors. Leaking from the bottom could point to other problems like busted hoses or a damaged tub valve.