What Are Some Factors That Cause Dishwashers to Leak and Cause Water Damage?

6/8/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Atherton / Redwood City explains common reasons why dishwashers leak, causing extensive water damage in the kitchen and adjacent rooms.

Offering continuous coverage twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, SERVPRO of Atherton / Redwood City is a residential and commercial property damage restoration company serving the Redwood City, Atherton, and Palo Alto areas. Locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Atherton / Redwood City is a leader in the restoration industry and is dedicated to serving the community with honesty and professionalism. Customers can trust the IICRC-certified professionals to handle any size or type of property damage disaster, including water damage from a leaking dishwasher.

The Magic of Modern Machinery

Modern technology has simplified life in and around the home in many ways. The kitchen has seen revolutionary advances with the advent of electricity, automation, and digital technology. The space-age technology of the microwave oven made cooking much easier. The refrigerator enabled homemakers to store food for weeks or months on end. The dishwasher removed the headache of washing mountains of pots, pans, and dishes after feeding the family or entertaining a large number of guests.

Why Is the Dishwasher Leaking?

As far as appliances are concerned, dishwashers are very reliable. Advances in dishwashing technology have reduced the amount of water required to wash a load of dishes from as much as 9-14 gallons to as little as 3-5 gallons. Washing that same load by hand would use more than 25 gallons of water. Even though newer dishwashers require less water, the appliance can still cause a major water damage disaster when a leak occurs.

Here are some of the common causes of dishwasher leaks:

1. The door gasket is deteriorating, so the dishwasher will not seal properly.

At first, leaks around a deteriorating door gasket may be small and may appear to originate from the same location. The best solution is to replace the gasket, and homeowners who are not comfortable making the repair can hire a qualified appliance repair specialist to perform the task.

2. The door latch is loose or damaged.

This breakdown may result in a large spill. As water leaks out of the dishwasher, sensors that measure the water level will allow more water into the system, so more water will leak onto the floor. The homeowner can replace a dishwasher door latch, but if there is any concern about taking this task on as a DIY project, entrust the repair to a competent appliance repair technician.

3. The drain hose is loose, cracked, or torn.

Over time, the drain hose will degrade and begin to leak. If the dishwasher is older, preemptively replacing the drain hose can prevent issues before they arise.

4. The float assembly is malfunctioning.

The float assembly monitors and determines the water level in the appliance. A malfunction in this component can cause the unit to fill with water, resulting in a flooded kitchen.

5. The homeowner is using a detergent that is not designed for use in a dishwasher.

The guests have gone home. The kitchen is tidy. The dishwasher is full. The exhausted host or hostess inadvertently squirts standard dishwashing liquid into the detergent dispenser of the dishwasher, turns on the unit, and goes to bed. The results are disastrous. While it is nice to wake up to a load of clean dishes the next morning, running the dishwasher at night after everyone has gone to bed is risky.

6. The dishwashing unit is not level.

If the dishwasher was inappropriately installed and is not level, water can leak out during usage. A small leak can rot out the floor under the unit, compounding the water leakage issue. A simple visual inspection or a level can diagnose this problem.

7. The spray arm is damaged or unable to move freely.

The dishwasher makes distinct sounds, and the rotation of the spray arm is one of these sounds. The opening and closing of the intake valve is another distinctive sound of the dishwasher. When the spray arm or the water intake valve fails, water will end up on the floor.

8. The dishwasher tub is worn out.

Over the years, the tub can wear out from exposure to detergents and the high temperature of the water. An occasional visual inspection of the tub can detect any issues.

How to Handle Water Damage Caused by a Leaking Appliance

When a faulty dishwasher causes a water damage disaster in the kitchen on a small scale, wipe up the water as quickly as possible. If the leak is large in scope, bring in professionals to extract the water and dry out the flooring. A water damage disaster in the kitchen can ruin cabinets, baseboards, molding, and expensive flooring. Efforts to clean up a large spill involving soapy water can result in a slip-and-fall injury.

The team of knowledgeable, certified water damage restoration technicians at SERVPRO of Atherton / Redwood City can be on the scene within an hour to inspect the damage and begin the cleanup. SERVPRO works with the insurance company and handles the claims process in order to eliminate the hassle and headache for the homeowner.

For more information about water damage restoration in Atherton, CA, call SERVPRO of Atherton / Redwood City, CA, at (650) 800-3448 or email office@SERVPROpaloalto.com.