Clothes Washer Problems: Water Leaking on the Bottom Front
A washing machine may leak down the bottom front for a variety of reasons. While some causes of the leaking water are more serious and require professional repair, such as if the basket is damaged or the seal is broken, other issues are simple and can be resolved through basic troubleshooting. Identify the source of the leak and resolve it as quickly as possible to avoid possible water damage or burst pipes, which may result in high repair costs. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Find the water valves, which are located behind the washing machine and are usually red and blue. Turn the water valves clockwise to close them. Disconnect the hoses by turning them clockwise and pulling the hoses out from the water valves. If the hoses are too difficult to remove by hand, use a wrench or a pair of pliers to loosen the connection. Place a bucket or towel underneath the hoses to catch water that may drip.
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Clean the water inlet and drain hoses to clear away blockages. Use a clean damp cloth to clean debris from the small screens located in the top part of each hose. Reconnect the hoses to the water valves and tighten firmly in a clockwise connection. Turn the water valves back on by turning the top of each valve in a counterclockwise direction.
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Pour 1 quart of water mixed with ½ cup white vinegar into the washing machine. Select a drain cycle and start the washer. This will clean away excess suds in the tub. Use high-efficiency laundry detergent (HE) for energy efficient washing machines and switch to a low-suds detergent if excess suds are a problem.
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Open the front access panel on the front of the washing machine and clean out dirt and debris. Examine the area for signs of damage and contact a service professional, if necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep load sizes medium to moderate, as water can deflect off overloaded items and result in water leaking down the front of the unit.
Other potential problems that require professional repair include a cracked air gap device, water tube or inlet spout.
References
- Photo Credit Martin Poole/Lifesize/Getty Images
