When a washer leaks, the timing usually tells you the cause. A leak during filling points to the hoses or inlet valve. A leak during washing usually means the door seal or too many suds. A leak during draining points to the pump or drain hose. Watch one cycle with a flashlight and you can usually narrow it down before anyone takes the machine apart.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Can you DIY it? | Partly. Hose tightening, detergent changes and gasket cleaning. |
| How urgent? | High in upper-floor or condo laundry |
When does the leak happen?
While filling. Check the inlet hoses at the back. Loose connections, worn washers inside the hose ends and cracked rubber hoses are common. A failing inlet valve can drip too.
During the wash. On front-loaders, look at the rubber door boot for tears, and check for a sock or hair caught in the seal. Too much detergent can also push suds out the door or the detergent drawer.
During draining or spin. Check the drain hose where it enters the standpipe, the pump area under the front, and the hose clamps. A standpipe that's too short or clogged can overflow back onto the floor.
All the time, even when off. The inlet valve isn't closing fully. Turn the water off at the faucets.
What can I safely check myself?
- •Turn off both water valves when you're not using the washer until the leak is fixed.
- •Hand-tighten the inlet hose connections and look for bulges or cracks.
- •Wipe the door boot and run a finger around the inside fold for tears.
- •Use HE detergent and measure less than the cap suggests.
- •Watch the standpipe during drain. If water backs up, it's a plumbing clog, not the washer.
When should I call a technician?
Call if water appears from under the machine with no visible source, if the door boot is torn, or if the inlet valve drips with the washer off.
Elliott's take
Rubber inlet hoses are the cheapest insurance in your laundry room. If yours are more than five years old, replace them with braided stainless, especially if your washer sits over someone else's ceiling.
Related: Washer repair · Too Many Suds in Your Washer? Boston's Water Might Be Why
Washer leaking? Shut off the water and call TrueFix Boston at (857) 810-1119.