Washing machine water leaks can be difficult to identify; water may appear in one place, but the leak itself may be in another. It could be because of an old hose, a leaking pump, or excess foam. Fortunately, all these problems can be solved in a simple way.
How To Fix A Leaking Washer
Finding The Source Of The Leak
First of all, ensure that your washer is on a level surface. You need to know where the leak is coming from. If the machine is not balanced on a plain surface (and therefore tilted more to one side or forward, etc.), the water will slip and it will be more difficult to figure out where the leak is coming from.
See if the simplest solutions can fix your problem. Before spending money to buy new hoses or seals and glues, make sure the cause of the leak can or cannot be fixed more easily. Read the machine manual to be sure that you’re doing the right thing.
Here Are Some Easy-To-Solve Problems
1. Too Many Or Poorly Distributed Clothes.
If you load more clothes than the machine’s maximum capacity, there may be leaks. Another cause is usually a difference in the water level due to the heavier clothes being on one side only, causing the machine to shake too much during the spin cycle, thereby causing leaks.
If your machine has a spray rinse cycle, increasing its duration causes the spray to run longer than it should, these can also result in leaks.
2. Removing The Factory Fitted Drain
Make sure you removed the drain that comes from the factory. If your machine is still new, it comes with a factory drain that needs to be removed before attaching the hose.
If the machine is turned on with the factory drain, the water from the cycle will not drain properly, causing leaks.
Check that the hose is firmly seated in the drain outlet. If the fit is not adequate, there may be leaks.
You need also to confirm that the drain is not clogged. Sometimes it’s not the machine that’s leaking; it is the drain that is clogged and causing the water to back up. Try to unclog the drain before moving on to more complicated repairs.
3. Avoid Using Excess Soap
Make sure there is no excess soap in the water as using excess soap can cause water to overflow. To know if you are using too much soap, run the wash cycle as usual.
When removing the laundry from the machine, take a garment and place it in a bowl of water. Twist the part. If the water becomes foamy, there is still soap and you may be using too much soap.
4. Detecting The Leak Source
You can practically observe from your first wash cycle to see where the leak is coming from. This is the most common way to identify the source of the leak.
On front-opening machines, the leak is usually caused by a clogged pipe or a poorly fitted seal portion of the door. Leaks from the back of the machine are commonly caused by damaged hoses.
Leaks at the bottom of the machine are often caused by a hole in the pump or leaks in the internal hoses.
5. Replacing The Defective Parts
Replace the parts responsible for leaks. If you haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact source of the leak and your machine is already old, replacing or repairing the parts that cause the most leaks may be the solution.
Over time, machine parts become clogged or lose elasticity, causing leaks. As the parts will have to be replaced anyway, use the opportunity to make the replacement which will solve the leak at the same time.
If you don’t want to replace the parts all at once, replace the one that is the most likely or common cause. Run the cycle normally to see if it continues to leak.
If the problem persists, replace another part and then run another cycle, and so on, until the problem is resolved or all parts that are common causes of leaks have been replaced.
If even after replacing all the parts the leak persists, contact the manufacturer so that they can refer a qualified professional who can help solve the problem.
Additional Steps To Take
1. Routine Repairs
- Unplug the machine. This is the most basic safety measure to prevent accidents.
- Check and repair hoses. They are located at the back of the machine and it is through them that the tap water reaches the machine. When they are damaged, they usually cause leaks from the back.
- Close the water valve in the service area where the machine is located.
2. Remove The Hoses Using Pliers.
- Try to examine the hoses; if they look already worn and corroded, they need to be replaced.
- If the hoses are still in good condition, replace the internal washers. As the machine ages, it loses elasticity and its parts no longer fit together as well.
- Check that all fitted parts are secure before using the machine again.
3. Check And Replace Internal Hoses.
- They can also become worn out and corroded, needing replacement from time to time. It is necessary to open the cab or the machine’s back panel by loosening the screws.
- Make sure there are no frayed, corroded, or cracked hoses and rusty clamps.
- To remove the hose, use pliers to tighten the clamp and slide the hose underneath.
- Replace old hoses and clamps with new parts.
4. Check That The Pump Is Not Leaking.
The pump takes the water from the tub (the body of the machine) to the drain. It is made up of internal seals that wear out over time, causing leaks. If it is stained or rusty, it’s time to replace it.
- Buy the correct pump for your machine (taking into account the maker, model, and capacity of the machine).
- Open the cabin of your machine.
- Loosen the screws holding the motor.
- Disconnect the pump hoses and remove the screws to remove the pump from the machine. Fit in the new pump and test it out to see how effective and efficient it is.
Additional Quick Fix Summary
Puddle of water in front of or behind the machine
Something must be wrong with the water supply hoses, make sure they are connected correctly. If the hoses are brittle or corroded by rust, replace them.
Rust and Loosed Hoses
Loosed hoses are probably the cause of any leakage. They are attached with spring clamps, which may be loose. Check that they are securely attached to the drain pipe and that they are not clogged. New machines come with a drain plug; remove it before connecting the drain hose.
Water drips or drips near the seals
The seals on the pressure switch and the tub can become fragile over time, leading to failure. On front-loading washers, make sure there is no moisture around the outside of the door seal.
Excess foam overflowed during a wash cycle
Excessive suds production can occur if you add too much soap. Choose a soap that is impeccably clean and removes stains effectively so you don’t feel the need to exaggerate the dosage if your clothes are filthy, you can also opt for a fabric softener to make the task easier.
Water leak under the machine
A washing machine leaking water from below can be an indication that there are holes in the water pump or leaking internal hoses.
Final Tips
- When making repairs, try not to turn the machine completely horizontally.
- Try to empty your machine before dragging it from the wall, this is to ensure your washer doesn’t scratch the floor.
- If the hose is punctured or the pump is cracked, etc., you will have to replace the defective item.
- If the machine is relatively new, removing some of the covers will be the biggest challenge.
- Disconnect the hoses if the machine must be dragged too far.
If the leak occurs regularly despite your best efforts, it’s best to call a professional. Therefore, keep your local repair technician’s number handy in case of an emergency.