If you find your washing machine leaking from bottom, then you need to attend to it soon. This prevents possible electrical hazards and slipping accidents and saves water from being wasted. Depending on the type of washer, certain components need to be checked for this possibility of the washer leaking from bottom. The inspections should be done after you turn off the power supply. But in some cases, you may need to inspect the leak while the appliance is plugged in. However, carry out the troubleshooting carefully to avoid any harm and injuries.
Possible Causes in Top Load Washing Machines
Contents
Top loading washing machines are assembled from bottom to top, with the heave parts located at the bottom. Here are some of the most common ways through which top load washing machines can leak water under them.
Internal or External Water Hoses
If your top loader washing machine is leaking water, you can start by checking the hose connections. The internal water hoses are located around the drum to be easily accessible. Usually, the hoses will have seals to ensure contact with the water flow point. If these seals and gaskets wear out with time, the water may leak when the washer is being used.
The hoses without gaskets are sealed with a clamp and would leak water if this clamp is loose or not positioned evenly on the hose. So, make sure to check the seals and clamps on the hoses if your washer leaks. Sometimes there might be loose connections, or the hoses can even be cracked and damaged. If so, you may need to tighten the connections or replace the hoses entirely.
Drain Pump
The function of the drain pump is to drain the used water and have seals included. These seals may get worn out over time, resulting in your washer leaking from bottom. If the plastic hose of the drain pump cracks, it will also lead to similar water leaks. Continuous water leaks cause a white residue to built-up on the drain pump. This is caused by calcium contents in the water and shows where the water has been leaking.
Drum Sealing or Bearing
A gasket separates the drum from the drain, and if it leaks, you may find water under the transmission. The transmission driveshaft connects to the washer tub through the bearings and seals. Water leaking from the drum can be observed by adding water to the washing machine. First, you need to start the wash cycle and stop it after a few minutes when the washer gets filled with water. Then check underneath the washer for any visible leakages. If you cannot find any leak, you can drain the water using a spin cycle, as this is not the cause of the leak.
Possible Causes in Front Load Washing Machines
Similarly, front load washing machines also have possible causes that lead to water leaks. Make sure to figure out the cause by checking the following components. Be cautious when you repair or replace these parts and turn off the power supply when you do so.
Detergent Dispenser
The hose that connects the soapbox to the drum can also be the cause of the washer leaking water from underneath. This happens as the hose gets deteriorates due to continuous exposure to soap and detergent. Since the soapbox or the detergent dispenser can crack as it ages, you might need to check it for leaks by adding water.
Drain Pump
If the drain pump in your front-loading washer is defective, you may find water leaking towards the left side. In this case, you would also notice many rumbling sounds and shaking when the washer is operating. You can easily locate the pump inside the washer as it is found at the bottom with two large hoses connected to it. Check whether these are clogged or connected loose.
Coupler
The motor and the drum of the washing machine have a rubber or plastic seal in between them, known as the coupler. This acts as a safety measure that breaks during a system malfunction to save the appliance. Therefore, a broken or cracked coupler can also be why you find your washer leaking from the bottom. So, make sure to check this part as you proceed with troubleshooting.
Drum Seals and Bearings
The drum seals may be damaged if they appear to have discolored patches of brown stains. Leaking brown water is another indication that this seal blocking water from bearings has worn out. Due to this, water gets directly into the bearings and pushes out the oil from the bearings. As a result, your clothes might even be stained with this oiled water. Worn-out bearings also cause your washer drum to be a lot noisier than usual. Locating the drum seals and bearings may be an easy task, but replacing them isn’t. Replacement of bearings needs proper attention and should be done by a professional technician.
Door Seal
Sometimes the washing machine leaking from bottom could be due to water leaking through the door initially. This is possible if something prevents the front loader washing machine door from shutting correctly. This may be due to dirt or detergent stuck on the door seal or if the door seal itself is bad and worn out. If there are any visible debris accumulations on the seal, you can try cleaning with a damp cloth. If it does not fix the problem, you might have to replace it with a new seal.
Water Inlet Valve
Defective inlet valves can also lead to your washer leaking water from underneath. If the inlet valve does not tighten properly, then water will continuously drip from the inlet. You can tighten this hose connection of the water inlet valve with your hands or a pair of pliers. You need to do this carefully as the ends of the hose are made of fragile plastic and could crack or bend easily. You can check the function of the water inlet valve by a small inspection as follows.
- Unplug the washing machine from power and turn off the water supply.
- Remove the rear panel and locate the inlet valve behind the hose connections.
- Check the valve screen for collected debris and clean if any. This can also cause a leak as the water flow is easily blocked with dirt, causing the water to leak from the bottom of the appliance.
- You can also check the valve function using a multimeter. Set the setting to R×1 mode and connect the probe to the exit terminal of the valve. Check the reading you obtained with that indicated in your user manual and confirm whether it is defective or not.
- If it is faulty, you need to replace the water inlet valve and check whether the water leaking problem is solved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would a washing machine leak from underneath?
In most washing machines, water comes in through the rear hoses, and if the leak is not from here, then there is a possible defective component that causes this. You need to check the seals and gaskets for any signs of wearing out and damages that might be the reason for this. If not, you can inspect the components by turning off the power supply to your washer.
Is it worth fixing a leaking washing machine?
It may be advantageous to repair your washing machine if it costs less than 50% of the price of a new appliance and if it still has several expected years of life left. You can also get this supported with an active warranty if it is applicable.
Can overloading a washer cause it to leak?
Clogged overflow tubes are major reasons for leaks at the front of a top-load washer. It can also be caused due to overload or if the washer is not balanced. Try leveling the washing machine, distributing, and reducing the load to solve this problem.
Why does my washer leak only sometimes?
If the washer leaks only during the spin cycle, it is often due to the main drain hose leak. Inspect the hose and if you don’t find any issues, check whether the outer tubs are rusted, split, or damaged. If this is the cause, the water leak will be most visible during large loads and high water levels.
Conclusion
Washing machines can leak up to many gallons of water if it occurs overnight or unnoticed for a long time. Leaks that occurred due to small damages might even lead to extensive household repairs of floor and walls if gone unnoticed for a long time. This occurs especially when the washing machine leaking from bottom as it is not much visible for slight leaks. Therefore, it is always necessary to turn off the water supply and determine the cause of the leak. If you can manage to fix it, you may do so, but if not, it is recommended to get the support of an appliance repair technician.
Here are some of the worst washing machine brands you need to avoid when purchasing a new one. Not only in washers, but sometimes the dryers might also have troubles over time. You can use this guide to troubleshoot if your dryer is heating but not drying.