The Root Cause of Washing Machine Leaks

One of the most inconvenient issues with a washing machine is when it leaks. An undetected leak can gradually damage your floor and increase your utility bills. If you do notice a leak, there are several steps you can take to find the root cause so you can get appliance repairs.

Inspecting your washing machine requires a basic understanding of how it works and how water flows in and out of the unit. The following are common causes of a leaking washing machine.

A blocked drainage hose

Perhaps the most common cause of leaking is a blocked drainage hose. This hose channels dirty water from the washing machine and leads it into the drainage system of your home. You may find items such as coins, screws, linens and other materials blocking the drainage hose.

Luckily, this is a quick fix. All you have to do is remove the blocking items and you're all set. However, there are cases where the hose may be loosely attached to the washing machine. If a loose drainage hose is the culprit, have an appliance repair service tighten the hose back in place.

Blocked overflow tube

The overflow tube is responsible for housing excess water coming from your washing machine. This means that if the washing machine fails to detect water when it reaches the appropriate level before a wash, excess water will leak via the overflow tube. In turn, if the overflow tube is blocked (usually by using excessive detergent), water will back up in the washing machine and end up overflowing/leaking.

There are two important solutions to this problem. First, ensure that soap deposits from excess detergent do not block the overflow tube. Second, if the washing machine fails to stop incoming water, have the pressure switch replaced (as it is probably damaged).

Damaged boot seal

The washing machine door is also a common culprit for causing leaks. The boot seal is responsible for ensuring a watertight barrier anytime the door is closed. If leaks occur via the door, there could be an issue with your boot seal.

Start off by cleaning the seal to remove lint, dirt and debris. If this doesn't fix the leak, have an appliance repair company replace the damaged boot seal.

A worn out transmission seal

If you notice leaks occurring through the bottom of the washing machine, you may be out of luck. Such leaks are often caused by a worn out transmission seal. In most washing machines, this seal costs more to replace than purchasing a new unit. The best course of action at this point would be to invest in a new unit.  



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About Me

Electrical Dos and Don'ts In The Home When it comes to renovating a home, there are a lot of things you can do, and quite a few you should not! I am renovating my first home, and I have learned a lot simply by watching home handyman videos. However, when it comes to electrical work, I am limited by both safety and legal restrictions. My electrician will do the brunt of the rewiring work, but I am using this blog to help you identify causes of electrical faults; so you can bring to the attention of your own electrician. I will also discuss the basics of home electrical systems, such as what circuit breakers do, so you have a better idea where to start looking when the power goes out.

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