Tips for Dealing With a Leaky Dishwasher

4/27/2020 (Permalink)

So many of us rely on our dishwashers on a daily basis for washing and cleaning dishes, cups, and silverware. Because dishwashers are an everyday appliance, they are used frequently, which can instigate leaks or flooding. If enough water escapes the dishwasher at once, your kitchen and surrounding areas may be at risk for serious water damage. Additionally, even a small leak that can be resolved easily and does not appear to be a major threat to your home can have significant repercussions if a series of small leaks creates a large enough buildup of water over time. For these reasons, it is important to note some of the common causes of dishwasher leaks and floods, as well as effective means of cleaning them up in order to reduce the amount of water damage that your home must endure as a result of a leaking dishwasher.
Causes
While there are many reasons as to why your dishwasher might flood, there are three common causes to consider. The first common cause is an issue with the dishwasher door, such as the door latch becoming bent or not being latched properly. If you observe water accumulating directly underneath your dishwasher’s door, the leak or flooding is most likely due to a complication with the door. Using the inappropriate type of dishwasher detergent can also lead to leaking or flooding. Regular dish soap creates a plethora of foam and suds, so if it is used in the dishwasher in place of detergent, the excess suds can push against the dishwasher door and potentially escape, resulting in a significant leak or flood. Finally, the third common cause is the dishwasher overfilling with water. Occasionally, a dishwasher unit can take in a greater amount of water than it should, which prevents the unit from being able to drain properly. When this occurs, water can be forced out of the dishwasher and pushed onto the floor.
Cleaning Up
The first step in the clean up process should always be to shut off both water and electricity in order to stop water from flowing out of the unit and prevent electric shock if electrical outlets are located near the unit. Next, it is important to remove as much standing water as possible in order to minimize the amount of restoration needed. This can be achieved by mopping or using towels to absorb the water. Once this has been completed, check for water damage in any surrounding areas, such as cabinets, pantries, and furniture. Be sure to remove items from cabinets or pantries that have experienced water damage, as well as those nearby if the water spreads and affects other areas. Finally, use a wet-dry vacuum to remove any remaining standing water from the floor. In order to prevent the growth of mold or mildew, it is important to disinfect any surfaces that came into contact with the leak or flood from the dishwasher in addition to opening any kitchen windows and utilizing dehumidifiers to keep air circulating.
Need Additional Help?
Call SERVPRO for help resolve water damage to your home caused by a leaking dishwasher. SERVPRO’s trained water damage specialists and advanced drying equipment offer fast and effective remediation, making it “Like it never even happened.”