Dishwasher leaking
Where the water appears tells you a lot.
Urgent Even a small leak under a dishwasher soaks the cabinet base and subfloor before it shows at the front, so stop using it and shut the supply valve until it is found.
What this symptom usually means
Where the water appears tells you a lot. Water at the front, below the door, usually comes from the door itself: a gasket that is torn, hardened or has food stuck to it, a door that is not aligned because the unit is not level, a spray arm throwing water at the door because a utensil is deflecting it, or suds from the wrong detergent forcing water past the seal. GE also notes that a new gasket can take several cycles to seat.
Water from underneath or behind is a different set of causes: a loose or split supply line, a drain hose clamp that has let go, a cracked pump housing or a worn pump seal, an inlet valve that keeps filling because it sticks or the float is jammed, or a tub that has cracked. Any of those means water is escaping inside the cabinet space, where it can go a long time without being noticed. The checks below help you tell which case you have without pulling the dishwasher out.
Checks you can do yourself
- Stop and shut the waterTurn off the dishwasher's supply valve (usually under the sink) and do not run another cycle. Mop up and put a towel under the front edge so you can see where new water comes from.
- Inspect the door gasketRun a finger along the rubber seal around the tub opening and the bottom edge of the door. Look for tears, flattened sections, hardening or food debris. Wipe it clean with warm soapy water.
- Check the levelPut a level on the top edge of the open door and across the tub. A dishwasher that leans forward will leak from the door. Adjusting the front feet is a safe check if they are accessible.
- Loading and spray armsMake sure nothing in the lower rack is pointing at the door or stopping the lower arm from turning. A ladle handle deflecting the spray can flood the door lip.
- DetergentConfirm only automatic dishwasher detergent has been used. Hand soap, even a trace on a pre-rinsed dish, produces suds that escape the door.
- Look under the sinkWith the dishwasher off, look at the supply line and the drain hose connection under the sink for drips or a wet cabinet floor. Tighten nothing beyond hand-snug; report what you see.
Nothing above involves gas, wiring, refrigerant or removing panels.
What our technician checks
These need panels off, live electrical tests or a licensed trade, so they are left to the technician:
- Pulling the dishwasher out to inspect pump seals, hoses and the tub underside
- Replacing the inlet valve, float switch or pump
- Any work on the household water supply or drain plumbing
Gas appliances, commercial equipment, and Thermador, Miele, Viking, Wolf and Fisher & Paykel appliances: $129 + tax.
Waived when you proceed with the repair. You get the cause, the price and our repair-or-replace verdict in writing before any work.
Repairs a technician may recommend
After inspection, not from the symptom alone.
Door gasket replacement
When the seal is torn, hardened or flattened and water shows at the door only.
Door alignment or hinge and spring repair
When the door sits crooked, drops, or does not compress the gasket evenly.
Water inlet valve replacement
When the tub overfills, or fills when the dishwasher is off.
Float switch cleaning or replacement
When the float is stuck and the dishwasher fills past its normal level.
Pump seal or wash pump assembly replacement
When water appears under the dishwasher during the wash phase and the hoses are dry.
Supply line or drain hose replacement
When a hose is split or a fitting is leaking. A leaking household shut-off valve is a plumber's job.
Tub repair or replacement assessment
When the tub is cracked; on most dishwashers this means replacement, and the finding says so plainly.
Brands we see with this problem
Codes, parts and access differ by brand; the brand pages cover where the model label is and what to expect.
Cost, and whether to fix it
What the repair costs depends on the part, the labour and whether a second visit is needed for an ordered part; the written finding gives the total before any work. Our guides on what drives repair costs, dishwasher repair costs and repair versus replacement explain how to weigh it.
Who to call
RepairWell diagnoses and repairs this in homes and businesses across Ottawa and Gatineau; the diagnostic ($89 + tax at home, $129 + tax for a business) is waived when you proceed with the repair. If the dishwasher is still under the manufacturer's warranty, contact the manufacturer first: warranty repairs usually have to go through their authorized network.
When to book
Book as soon as you have shut the supply valve, and say whether the water is at the front only or from underneath. Front-only leaks with a visibly damaged gasket are a straightforward visit; anything from underneath needs the dishwasher pulled out, so let us know if it is hard-wired or the countertop is stone. The diagnostic is $89 + tax and waived when you proceed with the repair. If water has reached the cabinet base or a ceiling below, photograph it for your insurer before we move anything. See dishwasher repair.
We handle this across Ottawa and Gatineau
Related problems
Dishwasher leaking: questions
Can I keep using the dishwasher if it only leaks a little?
No. A small leak under a dishwasher is the one that rots the subfloor. Shut the supply valve and have it found.
The leak started right after the dishwasher was installed. What is likely?
A new gasket that has not seated, a unit that is not level, or a supply or drain connection that was not tightened. Whoever installed it should return first; if that is us, the callback falls under our warranty: 90 days on parts replaced; labour coverage depends on the work done.
Why does it leak only on some cycles?
Heavier cycles fill higher and spray harder, which finds a weak gasket or a marginal float level that a light cycle does not. It still needs fixing.
Does home insurance cover a dishwasher leak?
Policies vary. Sudden leaks are often covered, slow ones often not. Photograph the damage and call your insurer; we provide a written finding of the cause on request.
Sources
- Whirlpool Product Help: Dishwasher leaking troubleshooting guide
- GE Appliances: Dishwasher leaks from door
Sources checked 2026-09-24.
Book the diagnostic
Tell us this symptom and your postal code; it helps us bring the right parts.
Pick a preferred day and arrival window online; we confirm by email once a technician is assigned.
- $89 + tax diagnostic$129 + tax for gas or commercial appliances and for Thermador, Miele, Viking, Wolf or Fisher & Paykel; waived when you proceed with the repair
- Written finding on every visitCause, price and our repair-or-replace verdict
- 90-day warrantyOn parts replaced; labour depends on the work done