What to Do If a Washing Machine is Leaking from the Bottom?
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It is so annoying when a large pool of water leaks from the bottom of the washer every time you do laundry. A washing machine leaking water from the bottom is a more common problem than you might think. There are plenty of reasons that could cause washing machine leaks. In this post, you will find out about the red flags to watch out for, and the most efficient ways to troubleshoot issues.
Why Is the Washing Machine Leaking From the Bottom?
Before thinking about replacing your home washer or repairing the appliance, make sure you know exactly what causes a washer to leak from the bottom. Based on years of experience, we know that a washing machine leaking from the bottom is a symptom of multiple issues — here’s a review of the most common ones.
Issue #1. Faulty gaskets
Gaskets help ensure no water gets into the middle of the appliance’s cover and the external part of the washer. If a gasket has worn spots, leaking will occur. Typically, you can solve the problem easily — take the front cover of the washer off and tighten the bolts to make the gasket sit better.
If the damage is more extensive, replacing faulty washer equipment is the most reasonable option.
Issue #2. Leaky hoses
In most washers, every hose connects the machine to the source of water from the outside. If the hoses are damaged or the fittings don’t fit well, your appliance will let some water out. Internal hoses might also be to blame. They may have a leak or faulty connection — in that case, they will leak during the water cycles.
To get access to internal hoses, remove the upper part of the appliance cabinet and check the hoses for abrasions or cracks, and make sure the connections are tight. Corrosion and perforations are the red flags of a washing machine leaking from the bottom to watch out for as well.
Issue #3. Pulley seal leaks
The pump could be at fault if the washing machine leaks from the bottom. Keep in mind that depending on the type of the pump used, red flags may vary. Most washing machines use one of the following three pump types:
- Direct-drive
- Belted
- An electric system for pumping.
However, the most common problems to watch for are loose clamps around hoses or a leaking hose.
To access the pump, remove your appliance’s rear or the front cover (different models have varying ways to access the pulley seal). Then disconnect the hoses, remove the belt, or unclip the pump. Once you have direct access to the pump, assess it for signs of wear and tear.
Issue #4. Door seal issues
The reasons for a washing machine leaking from the bottom during the spin cycle vary from highly damaging to absolutely non-invasive. Door seal malfunctions fall in the latter category and are easy to fix. For one thing, in most cases, the water starts leaking from the bottom of the washing machine because something prevents the front-loading door from shutting fully — dirt, excessive detergent, etc.
Even if the equipment itself is faulty, replacement is easy and cheap — be sure to ask the manufacturer for assistance and choose the right seal model.
Issue #5. Pressure switch miscommunication
As the name suggests, the pressure switch monitors the water level inside the washer and can be responsible for a washing machine leaking from the bottom during fill. Water leaks are inevitable if it is not working and fails to react to water overflow. Detach the control panel from the washing machine to inspect the pressure switch. Assess it for wear or cracks and ensure the connection between the washing machine’s wire and the water source is secure.
If a switch shows a pressure decrease, the component is likely faulty and needs to be replaced.
How to Fix Washing Machine Leaks?
Depending on the system component that is leading to a front load washing machine leaking from the bottom, there are different ways to troubleshoot the issue — here are the most common ones:
Tip #1. Run a hose inspection
There are two types of hoses a washing machine owner needs to check if concerned for a washer leaking water from the bottom — the drain and fill hoses. Here’s how you can inspect both in under a few minutes:
- Step #1. Unplug the washer and ensure the connections at the back of the appliance are tight.
- Step #2. If a superficial inspection shows no signs of a leak, you might need to run an in-depth assessment. Detach the cabinet component of the appliance to get direct access to its hoses.
- Step #3. Check for any cracks or abrasions in the structure of a hose.
- Step #4. Replace a hose if you see signs of damage — you don’t have to change all of them at once and can remove only the worn-out one.
Tip #2. Inspect the tub gasket
Here’s how you can ensure that the gasket connecting both tubs of the home washer is tightly sealed.
- Step #1. Unplug the appliance and disconnect the device’s front cabinet.
- Step #2. Remove the cover of the tub to get direct access to the gasket.
- Step #3. Analyze the gasket for potential damage, scratches, signs of aging and wear.
- Step #4. If you detected cracks, start looking for a replacement gasket and install it in the washer.
Tip #3. Assess the inlet valve
To make sure an inlet valve malfunction does not obstruct the water flow, run a short inspection:
- Step #1. Make sure the washing machine is unplugged and has no access to the water source.
- Step #2. Detach the rear panel of the appliance to view the inlet valve. In most washers, the inlet valve can be found behind the hose connections.
- Step #3. Check the valve screens for debris and dirt build-up. As the particles of dirt and dust pile up, they interfere with the valve controlling the water entry efficiently. As a result, the water coming from the external source results in the washer leaking from the bottom.
- Step #4. Run a probe using a multimeter. Set the multimeter in the Rx1 mode, connect the probe to the exit of the valve and get a reading. Then match the result against the user manual of your washer to make sure there are no anomalies.
- Step #5. If the probe reads the infinity error code or you see signs of damage, replace the inlet valve.
Fix Appliances CA — Professional Team For Repairing Washing Machine Leaks
If you are not a professional technician, you may lack the skills or equipment to fix a broken washing machine on your own. That’s why hiring professionals for repair help is a safer bet for the longevity of your appliances and a reasonable investment.
When looking for a team of repair technicians in Canada, consider FIX Appliances CA — your go-to choice. Our technicians help homeowners and businesses across the country to fix and repair common electric appliance issues.
Here’s why FIX Appliances CA are the team you can trust in:
- 15 years of experience in washing machine leaks, motor issues, and other types of repair and maintenance.
- Supporting homeowners with high-quality washing machine parts from leading manufacturers.
- Trained support staff to answer your questions and provide around-the-clock assistance.
- Affordable repair cost for house and commercial property owners.
- Wide range of services — you can trust FIX Appliances CA technicians to repair anything from refrigerators and ovens to washing machines and clothes dryers. You can trust our technicians to handle most appliance maintenance tasks without having to reach out to different teams.
We look forward to helping you achieve the peak efficiency of every electric appliance you use. If you have an appliance performance issue or need help installing an appliance — leave us a message or call us at 888-242-0777
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