A leaking dishwasher can be a huge inconvenience, but luckily you can remedy the situation in many cases yourself. The main causes of dishwasher leaks include faulty door gaskets, leaking hoses, and broken drain pumps.

At face value, your dishwasher can appear like a complicated piece of machinery—and some dishwasher repairs aren’t for beginners. But the most common causes of a leaking dishwasher can be fixed with new parts and minimal tools if you’re patient and handy.

Here, the

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and

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breaks down what causes a dishwasher to leak, some potential fixes, and how much professional repairs might cost.

What causes a dishwasher to leak?

Before you look inside your dishwasher for specific faulty parts, make sure the problem isn’t happening due to something simple, like:

Overfilling the dishwasher or using regular dish soap

An off-balance dishwasher

Grab a level and make sure your dishwasher isn’t accidentally leaning to one side. If it isn’t level, push up some shims under the low side and see if that fixes the issue.

If everything looks normal after this cursory inspection, your dishwasher is likely leaking due to a failed or damaged part. The usual suspects include:

Leaking dishwasher door gasket

Malfunctioning inlet valve

Clogged drainage filter

Leaky hose

Loose or damaged spray arm

Damaged float switch

Broken drain pump

Worn or damaged dishwasher tub

Even if the leak is small (just a trickle of water), you don’t want to ignore the issue. Leaks can worsen over time as the faulty part continues to deteriorate.

How to fix a leaking dishwasher

If you can identify which dishwasher part is causing the leak, start by contacting the manufacturer to find a replacement part. Ask them for instructions on how to handle the repair.

You’ll also be able to find resources online, but make sure you search for the exact make and model of your appliance.

While you can repair or replace most of the parts listed above, the float switch is a more complicated component whose repairs are best left to a professional. Fixing the drain pump also requires handling wiring, but the repair is less intense than the float switch.

Don’t attempt any dishwasher repair if you aren’t confident you can handle it—remember that neither home insurance nor home warranty policies will cover damage to appliances resulting from your mistake or negligence.

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How much does it cost to repair a leaking dishwasher?

Most dishwasher repairs will cost somewhere between $100 and $300 on average, but prices can vary from this range.

Something like a blown motor replacement can cost $500 or even more, while a simple hose replacement or fixing a door seal can cost as little as $30 to $50.

If your dishwasher is older and the quoted repair cost is higher, it might be worth it to replace your dishwasher altogether.

Dishwashers typically last around 8 to 12 years. If your dishwasher has been running into more and more problems and is approaching this age, it’s probably easier to replace it.

Does insurance cover a leaky dishwasher?

Your home insurance policy won’t pay for repairs to a leaky dishwasher or a replacement dishwasher. Normal wear and tear and accidental damage aren’t covered by most standard insurance policies.

If you’re renting an apartment that came with the dishwasher that’s leaking, your renters insurance won’t cover repairs. You’ll need to contact the landlord, who handles maintenance and covers the cost of any appliance replacements.

That said, there are optional home appliance coverage options available from some insurance providers. And don’t forget about your dishwasher’s manufacturer warranty! If it’s still under warranty and the damage was a mechanical issue, give the manufacturer a call.

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MORE: Are dishwashers covered under homeowners insurance?

What is the most common cause of dishwasher leaking?

The door gasket failing is probably the most frequent cause of dishwasher leaking. Other common issues include damaged hoses, malfunctioning inlet valves, and clogged drainage filters.

Who do you call about a leaking dishwasher?

Some plumbers will take care of a leaking dishwasher, but you’re likely better off calling a local appliance repair company. If the leak is persistent, you may want to find a 24-hour plumber who can come ASAP.

If the leak only happens when you run the dishwasher, wait to shop around and get quotes from different repair services to find the best rate.

Is it worth fixing a leaking dishwasher?

If the estimated repair costs to fix a leaking dishwasher are more than 35-40% of the cost to replace the dishwasher entirely, it might be better to just get a new one. Most dishwashers only last around 10 to 15 years at best.

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