Causes & Remedies for Leaking Dishwasher

Oversudsing

• One common reason for dishwasher leaks is too much soap in the dishwasher tub. This creates an excess of water and foam that cannot drain properly. Use only automatic dishwasher detergent, never hand or liquid dishwashing soap, or any other type of detergent, as other types of soap create too much foam. Follow product instructions for the amount of detergent recommended for each load and wipe up any detergent spills. This includes any rinse aid spills as rinse aid foams up easily. To remedy a tub with too much soap and water, pour cold water into the dishwasher tub and run additional rinse and drain cycles until the water drains out of the unit.

Loading

• While the method that dishes are loaded may not seem like an obvious cause of leaks, if large items are set in the front of the dishwasher, water can deflect off those items and leak around the edges of the door. Load large or bulky items in the bottom rack around the sides and tilt the dishes so that the dishes face down in the tub. Keep the front of the racks clear so that water can enter and move around the tub as needed.

Hoses

• The hoses on a dishwasher can sometimes become clogged and leak, and hoses that are too loose can leak as well. Set towels down before investigating this issue and then disconnect the drain and water-supply hoses according to instruction in your appliance manual. Clean the hoses out and shake well to dislodge any blockages. There are inlet screens at the point where the hoses connects to the dishwasher, so clean out these screens as well. Reconnect the hoses firmly, using a wrench if necessary.

Professional Repair

• There are several repair issues that can cause a dishwasher to leak, such as the tub seal, which is located in the bottom of the dishwasher under the drain impeller. While you can remove the lower rack, spray arm, spray-arm support and the wash and drain impellers to get at and replace the seal if necessary, this is usually a task better left to a professional. In addition, if the door gasket is cracked or split, the seal will need to be replaced. The water-inlet valve in the bottom of the dishwasher can break or stick in place, which also requires professional repair and replacement.