Water Damage Caused By Dishwashers

Dishwashers are great, but they also can cause great water damage. Think about your dishwasher breaking down while full of water. The amount of water flowing onto your walls, cabinets and floors would be overwhelming, especially since in most cases the water keeps flowing as the dishwasher doesn't stop the water flow.

In most cases a dishwasher failing causes only a small water flood, but in more complex cases that dishwasher breaking will set you back a thousands of dollars. Even if your insurance covers the repairs, you still will need to pay the deductible.

Worst case scenario:
You're getting ready for work. You put all the dishes in the dishwasher, hit the start button, pick up your keys from the counter, and you and the family are off to a regular day (or at least the start of a regular day). With the workday over, you return for dinner. You open the door, walk to the kitchen, and see a big puddle of water next around the dishwasher. You then check the dishwasher and see it's off, but the water has spread around the kitchen and your walls, cabinets and floors are all soaked.

Causes of dishwater leaks:

• Worn gaskets
• Dishwasher not level
• Wrong dishwashing soap used
• Broken door
• Defective dishwasher tub

Surfaces that are susceptible to damage after a dishwasher leak:
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• Tile
• Wood
• Laminate
• Electrical wiring
• Drywall
• Wallpaper
• Paint

Steps to take after a dishwasher leak:
The moment you notice your dishwasher is or has leaked, make sure to first turn off the dishwasher. Grab a towel or mop and soak up any visible water on your floor. This might mean pulling the unit out from under the counter so you can get any water that has pooled beneath the dishwasher itself. ​

Next, you need to identify the cause of the leak. Was the door slightly ajar? Does the latch not always work? Are the gaskets wearing out? Some problems you can fix yourself, but if you want to be extra confident in the repairs, call a specialist to come out and inspect and repair the unit.

Lastly and most importantly, call the pros at King's Remediation at (760) 844-2326​ so we can do an inspection to ensure that you don’t have any moisture in your flooring, cabinets or walls, which can quickly develop mold.  You can Trust in the King!