“The dishwasher is leaking!” Not words anyone wants to hear. Hiring a repairman is expensive. A new dishwasher is even more costly. Of course, you could go back to doing the dishes by hand. But the situation may not be as dire as all that.
Before you call the repairman or resign yourself to dishpan hands, there are some things you can do. First of all, consider doing regular maintenance.
Benefits of Service
- Prolonged life of the dishwasher.
- Save money by keeping the dishwasher running longer.
- Better performance; dishes are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized.
- Save time; time not spent doing dishes can be spent on more enjoyable things.
Common Causes of Leaks
Not all leaks are created equal. While some live up to your worst-case scenario, often the fix is easy to find and simple to correct.
Door Seal Worn
One of the easiest things to check if your dishwasher is leaking is the door seals. Made from vinyl or rubber, door seals become brittle and deteriorate over time. They can also get pushed out of alignment. Both of these issues prevent a proper seal when the door is closed.
Upper seals are easy to replace. With a little common sense and adequate eyesight, you should be able to do this job yourself. Replacing the lower seals requires more effort as the door must be removed. Depending on your skillset and experience, you may want to hire a professional for this.
Clogged Dishwasher Filter
The most common cause of a dishwasher leak is a clogged filter. Without regular cleaning, the filter becomes clogged with food and debris. This prevents the dishwasher from cleaning properly and can also cause leaks. It is recommended that the filter be cleaned once a month.
To clean the filter it is best to check your owner’s manual to see where the filter is located. It is most often on the bottom of the dishwasher at the back of the appliance. The filter can be removed with a screwdriver. Clean the screen under running water and wipe the surrounding area with a cloth before replacing it.