Finding the reason for a leaky dishwasher can take time that was spent mopping up puddles. What is the most common cause of a dishwasher leaking water? A filter clogged with food particles is often responsible. Remove the filter and rinse it under running water to wash away accumulated debris. Troubleshoot more reasons for a dishwasher leaking from the front to quickly solve the problem and prevent future leaks.
Where to Start When Your Dishwasher is Leaking From the Front
The source of the leak dictates the right solution and there are several possible reasons when your dishwasher is leaking from the front. We’ll detail the most likely causes, many of which have a DIY fix.
1. Clogged Dishwasher Filter
The dishwasher’s filter traps food particles that aren’t flushed down the drain during a wash cycle, preventing them from damaging the drain pump. However, if the filter isn’t cleaned regularly, it can become clogged with these particles. When this happens, water won’t be able to drain and will puddle inside, resulting in a dishwasher leaking from the front.
Cleaning the filter should quickly resolve leaks from accumulated debris. Consult your user manual to determine how to remove the filter in your model dishwasher. Rinse the filter under running water, using a soft bristle brush to gently scrub away lingering debris. Repeating this process every month should prevent filter clogs that cause leaks.
2. Watertight Seal Broken on Gasket
A damaged gasket is one of the most common reasons for a dishwasher leaking from the front door. When functioning properly, this rubber piece along the door’s perimeter creates a tight seal, keeping water contained when the dishwasher is operating. However, rips, tears, and drying over time can destroy the rubber’s seal, resulting in leaks.
How do I fix a leaky dishwasher door? The gasket will need to be replaced to resolve the leak. A professional dishwasher service or experienced DIYer can replace a broken gasket.
3. Dishwasher Air Gap Obstruction
Most dishwashers share a common drain with your sink or garbage disposal. To prevent dirty drain water from entering the dishwasher, some kitchens have an air gap next to the sink faucet. However, without regular cleanings, food particles and debris from the drain can build up and block the air gap. Dirty drain water will then back up into the dishwasher, causing leaks.
How do I stop my dishwasher from leaking when the air gap is clogged? Cleaning out the air gap should solve the problem. Remove the air gap’s cover and manually remove any visible debris. Cleaning the air gap on a monthly basis, when you clean the dishwasher filter, should prevent clogs that cause leaks.
4. Dishwasher is Not Level
A level dishwasher is crucial to avoiding leaks. If the legs on the dishwasher aren’t leveled properly during installation, leaking and other malfunctions can occur.
Here are several ways an unlevel dishwasher causes leaking:
- Pooling and pressure around the gasket can destroy its seal.
- Water doesn’t flow directly into the drain, causing pooling that results in a dishwasher leaking from the bottom.
- Draining is slowed, creating additional opportunities for pooling and leaking.
To determine if your dishwasher is level, open the door and see if the bottom rack moves. If it slides outward on its own, the dishwasher is too high in the front. If you pull out the rack and it slides backward, the dishwasher is too high in the back. Consult your owner’s manual to determine how to adjust the legs on your model dishwasher and confirm that it’s level with a leveling tool.
The team at Dependable Repair Services can help when your dishwasher is leaking from the front. Call us for an expert assessment and repair!
