Many dishwasher owners will come across a strange leak or clog sometime in the life of their machines. Much of the time, the dishwasher seems to be working fine, but will leak out of the front or bottom of the unit. Here are some common reasons why a dishwasher might leak and what can be done about it.

Wrong type of detergent is being used:

One day, you run out of actual dishwasher soap and put in a dab or two of liquid dish soap in the detergent dispenser, instead. Next thing you know, there's water coming out the front of the machine onto the floor. If you were to open the door, you would probably find a high level of suds in the compartment. To avoid this, use only detergent designed specifically for your type of dishwasher.

Leaking hoses and seals:

Another common cause of dishwasher leaks is leaking hoses and seals. The most common seal to leak is the door seal. It may be loose or only need cleaning. If it is damaged, it can be easily replaced if a replacement part is available. Rubber hoses and seals in other locations, such as around the pump and water inlets/outlets can split and cause leaks as well. If you are unsure as to the location of all the hoses and seals that might need fixing, a dishwasher repair technician can come and check them all, if needed.

Clogged drain lines:

A dishwasher should only fill with enough water so that you can still open the door without water spilling. The machine will normally drain before the next cycle begins. When clogged, some or all the water does not drain. Most of the time, water and debris are drained out through the garbage disposal system. If your disposal is clogged, it will also back up water in your dishwasher. Clogging can also occur with the float assembly, a part that controls the water levels inside the tub. If you are unsure about where a clog is, a technician can come and look at all the drainage pipes, hoses and channels.

If your dishwasher is leaking and not draining properly, do not continue to use it until it has been fixed. If you choose to do any of the work yourself, make sure your unit is unplugged before taking off any panels or pulling off any parts. If you are unsure about where or why your unit is leaking, contact a professional

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