The Dishwasher Flooded My Kitchen!

Most household floods and water damage are caused by plumbing or appliance failure. Having the dishwasher flood your kitchen especially while you are gone is a dreaded nightmare to renters and homeowners that can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repair costs. It’s recommended by safety experts to run the dishwasher in the time frame of after you get home and before you go to bed so you are able to shutoff the appliance at the first sign of trouble. However some people still do not heed to that advice until it’s to late and they have a big mess to cleanup.

Why Did My Dishwasher Flood?

The reasons why your dishwasher would flood in the first place could be several reasons. One reason, for example, is that typically food drops when you pull the baskets out while you load the dishwasher causing build up along the seal. This debris buildup can cause leaks to occur on the bottom of the unit near the door hinges.

To solve this problem, we recommend cleaning the food with a sponge and a few drops of dishwasher detergent. In addition, pour vinegar into the detergent tray and run a short cycle while the unit is empty.

Ignoring routine maintenance can lead to severe leaks too. A professional inspection should be done at least once a month.

Dishwasher Flooding – Basic Procedures

When your unit floods, don’t panic. Instead, unplug the device or shut off the circuit breaker. Then, mop up the water and examine your dishes thoroughly because some of them could be broken.

Next, remove any debris from the drain gate; the drain gate is found on the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, inspect the drain and determine if it drains properly. If the water doesn’t drain, the hose that runs from the unit to the kitchen sink may need to be replaced or repaired.

To repair or replace the hose, remove the water from the dishwasher so that you can safety disconnect the hose. After the hose is removed, run water through it from your kitchen sink. If the water doesn’t flow efficiently, manually remove any debris from the hose.

After you have repaired or replaced the hose, the flooding should stop. Though, if your unit leaks again in the future, a professional plumber should examine your dishwasher because something else could be causing the problem.

Dishwasher Flooding Prevention Advice

1. Are you using a detergent designed for a dishwasher? Are you using the recommended amount? Less isn’t always more. If the detergent suds too much, it could cause a leak.
2. Do you load the dishes properly? Improperly arranged dishes may cause water to spill through the door vent.
3. Is the door gasket in good condition? Leaking around the door edges may signal a door gasket that needs replacement or a door that needs to be adjusted for tightness.

Overall, prevention is the best solution, but leaks can still occur. To avoid costly repairs and flooding woes routinely check your dishwasher for food buildup or wearing hoses and call a plumber at the first signs of leaking to service your machine.