How to Cure a Leaking Washing Machine

    Listed below are some of the most common leaking washing machine faults and an explanation of what might be causing the problem and how to fix it.

    For information on how to tackle and resolve faults and problems on a wide range of appliances see our other articles »

    Washing machine spares

    There are several reasons why your washing machine may leak.

    Flooding:

    This can potentially cause a lot of damage, commencing as soon as you have begun a cycle with water flooding out underneath the machine onto the floor and continuing to do so after the cycle has completed.

    In this situation, the water may be leaking through a hole in the drum. This can be created by a hard foreign object (such as a coin) being left in with the laundry by accident and punching through the outer case of the drum during the wash cycle.

    To identify if this is the case, disconnect the machine’s electrics and inspect the outer drum for signs of damage. It’s a good idea to lie the machine down on its side so you can look at the underside of the outer drum more easily. If you do find any damage, you will need to perform a full or partial replacement of the drum.

    What you'll need: Washing machine spares »

    Leaking When Water is in Contact with the Door Seal:

    If water is leaking down the front of the machine from the door this is likely to be due to an issue with the door seal.

    However, a leak in the door seal can also be responsible for water flooding out from under the machine. You may, therefore, find a hole in the seal by peeling back the folds in the rubber and examining for damage, or around the seal edge where it contacts the door glass.

    This damage can occur if a heavy item such as a towel (which gains significant weight during a wash) is pulled across the edge of the seal, causing a tear in the rubber and preventing it from properly sealing.

    If you’ve found the door seal to be faulty and need to fit a new one.

    See our video for: door seal replacement »

    Leaking from Inlet Hose:

    This can also cause flooding under your machine. The inlet hose could be loose, so tighten it by hand but do not over tighten, and replace it or the hose seal if water is dripping at the connection.

    Leaking from Soap Drawer:

    If the leak occurs on all wash cycles as the machine fills with water, check the hose between the soap drawer and the drum as this sometimes blocks due to an excess of washing powder. If there is a powder blockage pour some hand-hot water into the powder drawer, leaving it to drain through slowly and dissolve the powder.

    If this is not enough to clear the blockage, it may be necessary to remove the lid from the machine and squeeze the hose along its length to break up the powder. Suffice to say, once you’ve resolved the problem avoid using excess powder in future.

    If the leak occurs at the end of the cycle (when the conditioner is added) check for mould or contamination of the spray jets above the drawer, as this may deflect the direction of the water over the drawer and cause leaking. An easy method of identifying this is to trap a piece of tissue or kitchen roll under the edge of the drawer as you close it, if any leaking occurs this will show on the tissue.

    What you'll need: Washing machine spares »

    If on inspection, the cause of the fault is not immediately apparent most people will require the assistance of a trained professional.

    We recommend: Repaircare

     Washing Machine Spares and Accessories

    Blocked jets above the dispenser from mould stop delivering the conditioner. Read our 'How to cure a smelly washing machine' article for cleaning information to resolve this problem.

    * All information provided is a guide only. BuySpares accepts no liability for any problems occurred while attempting any advice shown. If in any doubt contact a qualified repair service.