What Causes a Frigidaire Affinity Washer to Leak Out of the Front?

Door Seal

• If you see the water leaking from the door of the washer, then this is probably a leak that regular cleaning will prevent. It is common for front-loading washers, like the Frigidaire Affinity, to leak from around the door seal when it is not cleaned regularly. Buildup forms on the door as well as the seal from detergent, lint, hair and other laundry residue. Over time, that buildup prevents the door from fully sealing. Occasionally wiping down the door and the door seal with a clean cloth will stop this from happening. You should also inspect the door seal for cracks or splits and have it replaced if it is damaged.

Uneven Surface

• If the washer is sitting so that it is tilting forward or to one side, that may be the cause of the front leak. Place a carpenter’s level on the top of the machine to see if it is sitting level or try pushing on it to see if it rocks in place. It should not rock if it is level. The washer has adjustable legs that are used to level the machine. Loosen nuts with a wrench on the legs you need to adjust. Once you have the legs at the right height, tighten the nuts. This should stop this type of leak.

Suds on the Floor

• If the front of your washer leaks soapy water full of suds, the leak can be caused by either detergent or soft water. If your home has soft water, you need to use less detergent than the directions call for to prevent the over-sudsing and the resulting leak. Using the wrong detergent can also result in the same type of suds overflow. To prevent this type of leak, only use high-efficiency detergent in the washer, which is designated by the letters “HE” on the label.

Leaks When Filling

• Usually, when a washer leaks while filling it is due to a loose connection on the water inlet hoses at the rear of the machine. However, your washer can also leak under the front of the machine when filling. You will need to stand in front of the washer during a full cycle to determine when during the cycle your leak starts. If this is what you encounter, the cause of the problem is an internal component, such as a faulty water level valve or clamp, which needs to be replaced. If you are qualified to do so, you can diagnose and replace the bad piece by disconnecting power to the unit, unscrewing the screws on the top, back of the machine and sliding the top off toward you so that you have internal access. Otherwise, you should consult a qualified repair technician.