Water leak in washing machine: Quick fixes and pro tips
Spotting a puddle spreading from under your washing machine is a frustrating experience for any homeowner. But before you panic, a calm and quick response can prevent a minor drip from becoming a major flood. Your first priority is always safety.
What to Do When You Find a Leaking Washing Machine
Before trying to find the source of the leak, you must make the area safe. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, so unplug the machine from the wall socket immediately. Then, shut off its water supply.
With the power and water off, you can begin to investigate. Note where the water is coming from. Is it pooling at the front, seeping from the back, or gathering directly underneath? The water itself also provides a clue. Is it clean, or is it grey and soapy? This simple observation can tell you which part of the wash cycle is causing the leak, helping you narrow down the culprit.
For many homeowners, tackling small leaks can be a satisfying fix and falls under the umbrella of general DIY plumbing projects.
If you can't easily reach the shut-off taps behind your machine, you’ll need to turn the water off at the source. We've got you covered with our guide on how to turn off your water mains.
Checking Hoses and Connections for Easy Fixes
If you find a puddle behind your washing machine, the culprit is often a simple issue with the external hoses. A loose connection or a worn-out hose is a common source of these leaks and is usually an easy DIY fix.
You’ll need to carefully pull the machine away from the wall to get a good look at the fill and drain hoses at the back.
Inspecting Your Hoses
Start with the two fill hoses connecting the machine to your hot and cold water taps. Check that the connections at both ends are screwed on tightly. Then, look for any drips or corrosion around the metal fittings.
Run your hand along the length of each hose, feeling for any cracks, splits, or bulges. These are clear signs of wear and tear, indicating the hose needs replacing.
Next, check the larger drain hose. Ensure it's securely positioned inside the standpipe and hasn't been knocked loose. Also, check that it isn't kinked or cracked, as this can cause water to back up and spill over.
Solving Front Leaks from Door Seals and Detergent Drawers
When a puddle forms at the front of your washing machine, the issue is often simple. These leaks usually point to a problem with either the door seal or the detergent drawer. The good news is that these common wear-and-tear spots are among the easiest problems to diagnose and fix yourself.
Investigating the Door Seal
Open the washing machine door and give the grey rubber gasket a thorough inspection. Run your fingers around the entire seal, feeling for any tears, holes, or spots where the rubber has warped. Sometimes, a build-up of grime or a small trapped item like a coin can break the watertight seal. A good clean might be all it needs.
Checking the Detergent Drawer
If the leak seems to be coming from higher up on the machine's front, check the detergent drawer. Over time, leftover soap and fabric softener can build up into a sludgy residue, clogging the channels. When this happens, the water that should flush the detergent into the drum has nowhere to go but out the front. Try sliding the drawer out completely and giving both the drawer and its housing a thorough scrub.
Looking Inside for More Complex Leaks
If a puddle is forming underneath your machine, the culprit is likely an internal part, like the drain pump. While this might sound daunting, you can often do a basic check yourself before calling for help.
First, unplug the appliance. You'll then need to access the drain pump filter, which is normally behind a small panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place a shallow tray and a towel underneath to catch any trapped water before you carefully unscrew the filter.
Look inside for any stray items causing a blockage. Coins, lint, and hairpins are common offenders that can easily cause an overflow.
If the filter is clear, your water leak in washing machine could be coming from the pump itself or another internal hose. Sometimes the problem isn't the machine at all, but a blockage further down the line. We've got a handy guide on how to unblock a washing machine waste pipe if you suspect that's the issue.
When to Call a Go Assist Engineer
If you’ve checked all the usual suspects for a water leak in your washing machine and still can't find the source, it’s time to call an expert. The same applies if you’re facing a major leak or can see water coming from deep inside the machine’s casing. Trying to tackle complex internal repairs without proper training and tools can quickly turn a small problem into a much bigger, more expensive one, and you could risk electrical hazards or serious water damage.
Sometimes, calling a qualified engineer is the smartest and safest move. For a fast, safe, and guaranteed repair that protects your appliance and your property, your best bet is to book a certified Go Assist engineer. Our team has the right tools and experience to sort any issue correctly and safely.
You can find out more and book one of our specialists by visiting our page on washing machine repairs.
Your Washing Machine Leak Questions Answered
When you find a puddle spreading from your washing machine, you probably have a few questions. Let's tackle some of the most common ones.
Can I Still Use My Washing Machine If It's Leaking?
No. It’s never a good idea to run a leaking washing machine. Water and electricity are a dangerous mix, and using the appliance creates a risk of an electrical shock. Besides the safety risk, a small leak can turn into a major flood, causing serious damage to your floors and kitchen units.
What’s the Average Repair Cost?
The cost to fix a leak in the UK depends on the problem. A simple DIY job, like replacing a cracked fill hose, might only cost you £10-£20 for the part. However, if you need a professional for something more involved, like a new door seal or a faulty drain pump, the repair will typically cost between £80 and £180, including parts and labour.
A "small" leak adds up. Your average washing machine uses about 50 litres of water per cycle. With the average person in England already using 136.5 litres a day, a persistent drip quickly becomes a significant waste. You can learn more about water loss from this government environmental assessment.
Why Is My Detergent Drawer Leaking?
A leak from the detergent drawer is almost always caused by a blockage. Over time, undissolved detergent and fabric softener congeal into a thick sludge, stopping water from flowing into the drum. With nowhere to go, the water backs up and spills out the front. The fix is usually a thorough cleaning of the drawer and its compartment.
If you've tried everything and the leak persists, don't risk causing more damage. For a fast, reliable, and guaranteed fix, book one of our certified engineers at Go Assist. Schedule your washing machine repair online today and let us handle it.
