How to Replace a Dishwasher Gasket

If you find a puddle of water on the floor after doing a load of dishes in the dishwasher, chances are the door gasket has cracked and you have a leak. Appliance repairs can be quiet costly, but fortunately this is one repair you can do yourself. It is very important to find the make and model number of your dishwasher so that you can obtain the proper replacement part. Once you have the new gasket it is time to go to work. This project should only take about a half an hour to complete.

Things You'll Need

• New gasket
• Screwdriver
• Dish soap
• Needle nose pliers
• Plastic scrub pad
• Non abrasive cleaner

Instructions

1. Place the new gasket in the kitchen sink filled with warm water and some dish soap. This will soften it up and make it easier to work with during installation. It will also cause it to expand so you get the right fit for the door.

2. Take off the old gasket. It may be held on by brackets or by grooves in the dishwasher door. If it is held on by brackets, you will have to loosen the screws to get the gasket out. Do not take the screws all the way out. If the gasket is stuck into a groove in the door, you can just pull it out.

3. Clean the area where the old gasket was located. Use a non abrasive cleaner and a plastic scrub pad. Make sure that you get all the stuck food, soap scum and other debris off the door. If it is not cleaned properly, the new gasket may not be able to seal the door all the way. Rinse thoroughly.

4. Slip the new seal into place starting at one of the bottom corners and working your way around the entire door. If you are working with screws, you may want to tighten them a little after getting the gasket in so it doesn't slip back out as you're working around. Once the gasket is in, straighten it out by loosening the screws back up and tightening them again. Do not tighten so much that you squish the gasket--just enough to hold it into place.

5. Close the dishwasher door and check to make sure the gasket is making contact with the dishwasher all the way around. Turn the dishwasher on and check for leaks. If it still leaks, turn the dishwasher off and check to make sure the seal is on evenly. One little bulge and it may leak. Place a flashlight in the dishwasher and close the door. If you can see light, you know where the gasket needs to be adjusted. Make the adjustment and you should be good to go.