How to Fix a Washer Leak

Leaks All the Time

• 1

  If the washer leaks all the time, check the fill hoses and tighten their brackets with a screwdriver. Replace any cracked hot or cold fill hoses with new ones. Unscrew the brackets holding the damaged hoses from the washer and from the household plumbing. Thread the new hoses through the brackets and tighten them at the back of the washer and at the incoming water lines.

• 2

  Fill the washer tub with water. Unplug the washer. Remove the main access panel with a screwdriver. Check for water around the main tub seal located between the transmission and the outer tub. Remove the tub seal with a screwdriver. Place the new seal around the outer tub, and tighten it with a screwdriver.

• 3

  If the outer tub seal is not leaking, check the tub for rust, holes or cracks where water may be oozing out. If the tub itself is leaking, you may need a new washer because a new tub can be expensive to buy and install.

Leaks During Filling

• 4

  Check the plastic air-gap device attached to the water-inlet valve hose for cracks or blown out areas. Replace the air-gap device by unscrewing it from the hose. Place a new air-gap device on the hose, and screw it into place with a screwdriver.

• 5

  If the air-gap device is normal, examine the whole length of the water-inlet valve hose for cracks. Remove a cracked hose from the washer, water-inlet valve and air-gap device by unscrewing it. Attach a new hose to the washer, put the air-gap device in place, and screw the hose into the water-inlet valve.

• 6

  Locate the inlet spout at the inner top of the tub. Tighten the inlet spout to its mounts with a screwdriver if it is loose. Examine the inlet spout for cracks. Unscrew the spout if it is cracked, and tighten a new inlet spout on the mounts with a screwdriver.

Leaks During Draining and Spinning

• 7

  Check the drain hose at the washer, and tighten it with a screwdriver if it is loose. Examine the hose ends and length for splits and cracks.

• 8

  Unscrew a damaged hose from the washer and the water-outlet valve. Place a new drain hose into the washer and onto the water-outlet valve. Tighten both hose ends in their brackets with a screwdriver.

• 9

  If the drain hose is not leaking, fill the tub with water and unplug the washer. Remove the access panel with a screwdriver. Check the outer tub for rust, splits or cracks through which water may be escaping. If the tub itself is leaking, it may be more economical to buy a new washer. A new tub can be very expensive to buy and difficult to install.