How To Fix a Leaking Washing Machine?

When your washing machine starts to leak, it’s important to find the problem fast! 

Not only does this mean that your machine is broken somewhere, likely at a water supply or drain connection, but if the problem isn’t addressed promptly, it could lead to structural water damage to your home! 

Below, we’ll go over all there is to know about diagnosing and repairing a leaking washing machine.

Locating the Source of the Leak

When dealing with a leaking washing machine, it’s important to find the source of the leak before you start replacing parts or components.

To start, check for a damaged door seal, cracked or damaged water hoses, broken water pump, and leaking water inlet valve, which are most often responsible for a leaking machine.

Damaged Door Seal

A damaged door seal on your washing machine can lead to water leaks during its wash cycles. Your unit’s door seal might become damaged for a variety of reasons, including regular wear and tear, or sometimes buttons or zippers can get caught against the rubber and can create a tear. Check the seal around the door for cracks or breaks. If you see any damage to the door seal, replace it with a new one. Even if the seal looks intact, but is old and hard, it might not be forming a proper seal.

Follow these steps to replace the door seal:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the outlet.
2. Remove any clips that may be holding the seal in place.
3. Remove the faulty door seal, making note of the drain hole positions. They should match the new door seal, or the washing machine won’t drain properly.
4. Wipe down the area.
5. Replace the old door seal with the new one. 
6. Reattach all parts in the same order you removed them. 

The average washing machine door seal will last about 10 years. With that said, if you don’t see any visible signs of damage, the cause of the leak might be elsewhere.

Cracked or Damaged Water Hoses

If your washing machine’s water hoses get damaged or cracked, water will leak out during a cycle. 

If you notice water leaking from the back of your washing machine, check the water hoses right away. Leaks from a washing machine water hose will only get worse with time. And the last thing you need is severe water damage to the floors in your home. 

To fix a cracked or damaged water hose, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. Use the following steps to fix this leak. 

1. Disconnect the washing machine from its power source.
2. Slide the washing machine away from the wall. 
3. Turn off the water supply to the washing machine (both hot and cold).
4. Remove the water hoses from the washer and wall. Use a bucket to catch any water. 
5. Replace the hoses with new ones (replace old washers with new washers too). 
6. Turn the hot and cold water back on.
7. Check for water leaks from the new hoses. 
8. Plug the washing machine back into the outlet. 
9. Run a cycle to test the washing machine.

If no water leaks from the hoses, you’ve fixed the problem. However, if you’re still having an issue, you might have a faulty water pump. 

Broken Water Pump

The water pump drains and recirculates water through your washing machine. If the water pump is broken, your washing machine can overflow, or water will remain in the tub. 

Fortunately, you can do a couple of things to try and troubleshoot a broken water pump. 

1. Is your washing machine making a lot of noise? This is often the first sign that your water pump is broken.
2. If you have a top load washing machine, open the lid mid-cycle. If the tub isn’t spinning, but you hear a motor running, there’s a problem with the pump or motor.
3. Wait for the washer’s cycle to finish. Open the door or lid. If you still have water in the tub, it means the pump isn’t draining properly.

Compared to replacing damaged water hoses or a broken door seal, fixing a broken water pump is quite a bit more challenging. And, you’ll need to remove the washing machine’s rear panel to access its internal parts. 

Therefore, to fix a broken water pump, you might want to consider contacting a professional who knows how to identify and fix leaking machines quickly.

Leaking Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve controls the hot and cold water flow going in and out of the washing machine. 

You can tell your water inlet valve isn’t working properly if there’s too much or not enough water filling the washing machine. Water dripping inside the tub is also another sign your water inlet valve isn’t working properly.

Of course, you can attempt to repair this on your own, but if you’re unsure of how to proceed, fixing a leaking water inlet valve is best left to a professional appliance technician.