A leaking washing machine is enough to send anyone into a frenzy. If this is you, we don’t blame you. Water that leaks from your washing machine can almost always be traced back to a loose, broken, or malfunctioning part. A professional water damage service should be able to extend their expertise to your home washing machine.
Although we specialize in roofing, our experts are just as skilled at repairing, restoring, and replacing leaking washing machines as we are at water damage restoration. Continue reading to learn more about why your washing machine is leaking and what our team at Allphase Roofing & Restoration can do to help.
Understanding Washing Machine Leaks: What’s Causing the Problem?
You may have an idea of what’s causing the problem, but you may not have a name for it. Because washing machines are powered by many working parts, it helps to know how each works.
From faulty gaskets to defective door seals, water has a way of finding itself on your floors, walls, and ceilings. Knowing how each part works can help you diagnose what is causing your washing machine to leak from the bottom. Here’s a quick overview of each working part:
1) Faulty or Loose Gaskets
Most gaskets are made out of either rubber or silicone. This means that you can easily peel them back or remove them for a full cleaning. A ‘faulty’ gasket would be considered one that’s loose or moldy.
Gaskets are supposed to keep water in, not allowing it to touch the unit’s cover or external parts. If you notice that water is quickly pooling beneath your unit, it could be a gasket issue.
2) Malfunctioning Hose
Hoses are in charge of successfully flowing water through a washing machine. When the incorrect size hose is installed, it will immediately cause issues.
A local repair company will be able to tell you if you have the wrong size hose installed, as well as provide an immediate replacement if necessary.
3) Pulley Seal Water Leaks
If your unit is leaking from the bottom, it could be a pump issue. Malfunctioning pumps almost always leak from the pulley seal specifically, as these seals are what keep the pump in place. If it’s loose or faulty, water will rapidly be expelled from the unit.
Pulley seals are not hard to replace. They’re small, circular fasteners that any repair service will have. For local service in Ohio, call us.
4) Defective Door Seal
Door seals are what allow washing machines to be tightly closed. Dirt, dust, and other particles swirling inside cannot leak or fall out when a door seal is present. You’ll notice this defect during an active cycle, as the unit doors will not be able to shut.
Check and see if there’s a high lint or debris content within the door seal. Try and remove them before reaching out for help. Many hardware stores sell cheap door seals if you find that yours cannot be repaired.
5) Broken Pressure Switch
Pressure switches gauge the water pressure of each active cycle. Modern machines give homeowners the freedom to choose the speed, power, and length of their washing cycle. However, this comes with innate issues.
Because pressure switches let the machine/pump know when to stop filling up, a broken pressure switch can easily cause a leak. Water will overflow at a rapid pace, requiring professional help to fix it.
How to Identify a Leak at the Bottom of Your Washer
Know the signs to lessen the impact of a washer leak. Listen out for odd noises like running or dripping. These symptoms signal that water is being expelled outside of the unit as well as within.
Another way to spot a bottom-level leak is to simply visually inspect the unit. Puddles, wet spots, and discoloration around the unit mean that there is or has been a leak.
If both your eyes and ears seem to be deceiving you, try these easy identification techniques:
- Do a Trial Cycle: Try running a wash cycle just to see if you hear and see anything unusual. Usually, complications will show themselves clearly while the unit is on. Remember to check all seals, switches, and the door.
- Inspect Hoses: Malfunctioning hoses will leak water from the back of the unit, while most leaks occur because of a widespread unit issue. Head toward the other side of the unit and see if any water is dripping down.
- Examine Drains: Similarly to clogged air filters, drains can become lodged with debris that won’t allow water to pass through. Look at drains closely to see if you can spot a blockage.
- Detergent Overload: The soap you use to watch your clothes impacts your washer. Using too much or an abrasive type of detergent can cause sticky residue beneath the unit, an easy leak producer.
How to Tell If Your Washer Has a Bottom Leak
You don’t need to look hard to spot a washer leak. Simply look at the bottom of the unit.
When this happens, know that you need fast-acting help to effectively restore your machine. Below are several signs you should watch for if you suspect a washer leaking from the bottom.
- Pooling water beneath or around the unit
- Dark or grey water coming from the machine mid-cycle
- Foul odors
- Soggy or wet flooring
- Stains or discoloration
What To Do Right Away If Your Washing Machine Is Leaking from the Bottom
If you’ve already decided on it being a bottom unit leak, move quickly. Of course, the most effective way to go is to call a professional service, but that isn’t always the most convenient. Sometimes, the job needs to be done right there with the available tools.
First, try and see if you can stop the flow of water with a bucket. If you can do that, great! If you can’t, no problem. That’s what we’re here for. Follow this step-by-step mitigation guide to minimize machine leak damage:
1) Turn Off the Washing Machine Immediately
Completely power your washing machine off before you try anything else. Doing this as quickly as possible ensures that water isn’t an active issue anymore and you can focus on locating the internal malfunction.
2) Disconnect the Dryer & Nearby Appliances
You need two things to efficiently clean your clothes: a washing machine and a dryer. Disconnect your dryer so that it will not be impacted by the leak. Nearby appliances are additionally susceptible to leaks, so it’s best to disconnect and isolate them to a water-free area.
3) Switch off Power to the Affected Area
Make sure to focus your mitigation attempts on the affected area. If you have multiple machines running throughout your home, find the one with the leak and turn its power off.
Different rooms house different breakers, so it’s best to think of each one when conducting an inspection.
4) Turn Off the Water Supply if the Leak is Still Unclear
If you still can’t seem to locate the source of the leak, power off the water supply in full. This is the only way to guarantee that water cannot keep dirtying, staining, or leaking uncontrollably.
Call a professional water damage restoration company to successfully locate the leak and remove all present damage.
5) Remove Standing Water or Call Allphase
Household items that you can use to remove standing water include buckets, bowls, or mops. While none of these are effective enough to remove water in full, they’re worth a try.
If all DIY attempts fail, call Allphase. Ohio residents may find us to be an accessible, local solution to their water damage needs. In addition to removal, we offer comprehensive water damage mitigation and restoration.
6) Inspect Hoses and Connections
A washing machine houses two inlet hoses, one for hot water and one for cold water. Both control central machine functions, meaning any disconnect could take down the entire system. Loose or faulty hoses produce leaks through unwanted openings.
Other connections that you need to inspect are the waste drainage line and power connection. Before disconnecting these, check for nearby water.
7) Repair or Replace Damaged Parts
This will need to be done by a professional. You most likely don’t have the necessary parts to complete the job, or the tools needed to refasten loose parts.
Allphase’s specialists have the expertise necessary to repair or replace damaged parts quickly, saving you time, money, and effort.
8) Call a Professional
The more time you spend trying to complete DIY repair processes, the less time you have to recover your washing machine.
Professionals know exactly where to head: loose connection, broken part, or a power problem. No more will you have to fiddle with part repair alone. Greater Columbus homeowners struggling with complex washing machine damage should call us immediately.
Why Your Washing Machine Leaks from the Bottom When Spinning
If water is pooling around the bottom, you’re looking at a pump problem. The machine’s pump isn’t effectively monitoring how much water it’s releasing, so, water has nowhere to go but out. A simple repair service should reinstate the drainage function of the pump.
On the other hand, it could be a seal issue. Whether drain or washer tub, a loose seal is grounds for a leak. The drain pipe is in charge of pushing dirty water away from the main tub. When it is down, water expels downward and lands around the unit.
Preventing Washing Machine Leaks: Essential Steps to Follow
Routine machine maintenance is the best way to prevent a leak. While you cannot predict when or if your machine will break down, you can do your best to prevent leaks and other issues.
Professionals can spot leaks in progress before they become serious. Exponential attention makes it easy to keep your washing machine up and running for longer, moving at the same fast speed.
At the time of a leak, don’t fiddle with at-home remedies. Call a professional and get your routines back in order.
Dealing with Leaking Washing Machine Water Damage in Ohio?
Ohio homeowners who’ve found themselves feet-deep in a washing machine puddle should call Allphase in Ohio. We handle all pieces of the repair process, from initial inspection to part replacement.
If there’s a specialized part you need to restore your washing machine, we’ll retrieve and replace it quickly. In addition to quick service, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee that promises to put your needs first. Contact Allphase for a customer-focused washing machine repair process.
Washing Machine Leaks FAQs
1) Can a washer leak affect my floor or cause mold damage?
Water from a washing machine leak can cause mold or rot if not dealt with. Floor panels beneath the unit will inevitably soak up the expelled water if not handled by a professional. This is why Allphase recommends immediate help from a specialist.
2) Can too much detergent cause a washing machine to leak?
Yes. Try to use the recommended amount of detergent for each cycle. Overdoing it can cause a soapy film to congregate within the unit, creating an opening for leaks.
3) Where can a washing machine leak from?
They can leak from anywhere, but they tend to do so from the bottom. When water cannot successfully drain, it will naturally leak from the bottom of the unit.
4) Can a washing machine leak when not in use?
A faulty door seal, loose connections, or malfunctioning inlet valves are all things that can leak even when your washing machine is powered off.
5) How can I prevent future leaks in my washing machine?
It seems simple enough, but just stay alert. Listen, watch, and monitor your machine for internal and external issues. This is all you can do at home. Partner with a professional repair service as a prevention tool and you’ll always be prepared for the worst.
