How to Diagnose a Washing Machine Leak

The laundry room floor is puddled with water, and you suspect it's coming from your washing machine. Washing machine leaks are common and pretty easy to diagnose if you know where to look. Take these steps to help you diagnose the problem so that you can eliminate that leaky mess.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper

Instructions

1. Check the door seal for holes or for wear and tear. If the seal has a hole or it's broken, then the leaking water could be originating from the inside and coming out from under the front of the machine. There also could be something stuck in between the door seal and the glass that could have broken the seal.

2. Examine the soap dispenser to see if something is blocking it. Sometimes a black gunk build-up could be blocking the water holes. Also, check if a hose connected to the soap dispenser is obstructed. Most times, undissolved washing detergent could be the culprit.

3. Look at the hose that is connected to the soap dispenser. Often, they are not wide enough to accommodate any build up of detergent and the flow of water could be affected and cause it to splash around and cause a leak. A water leak coming from the soap dispenser also may indicate a problem with overfilling or a blocked pump if it leaks when the washing machine is spinning.

4. View the hose fittings that are connected to the faucets and to the rear of the washing machine. Secure any that may be loose or not fastened tightly enough. Reinforce any clamps that may have come apart from the hoses.

5. Determine if the washing machine is making more suds than it should while it is in use, as this could cause the machine to overflow with water.

6. Place a few pieces of newspaper underneath the washing machine to determine where the leak may be coming from. Any wetness that accumulates on the newspaper may give you a clue as to where the leak is coming from. Check it often.

7. Call a repairman if you are unable to diagnose the leaky problem. It could be that a basket gasket is not working properly or a bearing or tub seal needs replacing.

Tips & Warnings

• If the door seal looks okay, clean the flange of the door seal and the glass inside the door. Washing soap that didn't dissolve or even a bit of cotton could be causing the leak.

• Water leaks will leave marks, especially if there are dried soap suds that leave a trail. A build up of rust is also a good indicator of where a leak may be coming from.

• A water leak could also be drain water leaking from a standpipe that is backing up.

• Turn main water valve off when disconnecting hoses and drain excess water into a bucket before attempting to fix the problem.

• Avoid running the washing machine without the top or the back of the machine securely in place. You could get electrocuted.

• If you had a previous washing machine leak fixed, there may still be marks left that may not be indicative of a new leak. Be care when diagnosing to make sure it is not the old leak that you are trying to repair.

• Prevent floods by installing shut-off lever valves and hoses made of stainless steel that will not burst.