Why Your Washing Machine Is Leaking (And How to Fix It)

If your washing machine is forming a puddle of water on your floor, then it is a solid indication that there is a leak somewhere in the system. There are a lot of reasons why your washing machine is leaking. The underlying causes include mechanical issues and bad usage habits. Luckily, most of these causes are simple to fix and do not require expensive repairs. However, you shouldn’t rule out malfunctioning or broken parts entirely.

In this article, we will discuss the reasons why your washing machine is leaking and how to troubleshoot this problem.

Common causes of a leaking washing machine (+ fixes)

The reason why your washing machine is not working as it should is not always serious or indicate a mechanical issue with your unit. It may be through simple usage issues or certain uncontrollable circumstances that are causing the problem. Here are such reasons:

The washer is not level

Washing machines are designed to be operated on a leveled floor. If the washer is tilted in any way, it can cause the water to overflow from the tub and leak to the floor. Not only that, it can also damage the tub and cause your washing machine to shake violently.

The fix: Level the washing machine by reaching under the unit to adjust its feet. Some washing machines have a built-in spirit level tool to help you with this (if not, you can buy this one from Lazada).

You’ve used too much detergent

Using too much detergent can cause “oversudsing”, which in turn can cause blockages in the drain tube. A blocked drain tube is one of the most common causes of leaking.

Apart from that, the excess bubbles can also overflow from the tub and escape through the washer lid, resulting in a bubbly (and slippery) leak.

The fix: Unclog the drain hose (more on this later), and use a little less detergent next time.

Loose or malfunctioning water supply hose and connector

As the name implies, the water supply hose supplies the water to your washing machine. It is connected to the unit by a nut, and both of these parts are located at the back of the washer. Water may leak in this area if the connection is not secure, or if the water supply hose is kinked or damaged.

The fix: If the connections of the supply hose are loose, just tighten the nut and see if the solves the issue. Straighten the hose if it is bent or kinked. And if it has holes or corrosion, you should remove and replace it.

The washer door is not closing properly

The washer door and its gasket keeps the water inside the washing machine. If the door does not close properly, water may come out of it and form a puddle.

Due to its orientation, the door and the gasket is a lot more important for front-load washers as they are the only ones keeping the water from gushing out of the unit. For top loaders, this isn’t much of an issue as the water level doesn’t usually rise to the height of the lid.

The fix: Always keep the gasket clean and look for stray objects that may prevent it from closing the washer door properly. If the gasket is loose or is damaged, you should remove and replace it. You should also check if the hinges of the door are still aligned to allow it to close properly.

Bent or clogged drain hose

Ideally, the drain hose should let the dirty wash water out of the washing machine to the drain. However, if the drain hose is bent or there is a blockage in the drain, it can cause the wash water to back up and cause a leak. It could also be because the drain hose itself is unsecured or is damaged.

The fix: Straighten the drain hose if it is kinked, and fasten its connection if loose. If you suspect that something is blocking the drain pipe, use a pipe cleaner to dislodge the object. Remove and replace the drain hose if there are holes or if it is damaged.

Damaged or malfunctioning drain pump

The drain pump is responsible for letting the wash water out of the tub and into the drain tube. If this part malfunctions, it can prevent water from ever draining from your tub, and it can cause leaks as well.

The problem may be caused by a clogged pump filter. This filter is used to catch small objects like coins and hairpins to prevent them from entering the drain hose. It could also be because the pump itself if broken and may need repairing or replacement.

The fix: Inspect the drain filter (right where the drain hose is connected) if there are blockages. Clean the filter and remove any foreign items to clear the blockage. If the pump itself is damaged, you may need to call a technician to replace it.

Conclusion

As you’ve seen, there are a lot of reasons why your washing machine is leaking, and most of these causes can be prevented by performing regular maintenance and following proper usage habits. Also, don’t fret if this problem ever presents itself! Most of the fixes are easy and can be done at home by yourself.