My kettle is leaking, how to fix it?
It’s time to take a break! A tasty cup of tea to enjoy with freshly baked, or bought, shortbread ... You then discover that your kettle is leaking from underneath and you don’t understand why. Solve this mystery by reading this troubleshooting article that will help you put an end to this situation.
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
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Too much water in the kettle
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Limescale problem
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Dirty or worn O-ring
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Crack on the water level control window
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Cracked kettle body
WARNING
Before you do anything to your appliance, make sure you disconnect it from the power supply.
There is a risk of electric shock.
The kettle was overfilled
Each kettle has a maximum water capacity. If you have overfilled the body of the kettle, there’s a risk of overflowing when the water comes to a boil. If you need a large amount of hot water, we advise you to do this in several stages.
The kettle needs to be descaled
Limescale is definitely the number 1 enemy of kettles. To prolong the life of your appliance, it is essential to carry out regular descaling. To do this, pour in 1 liter of water + 2 teaspoons of baking soda, or better yet citric acid. Heat until boiling, then leave to soak for 30 minutes. Rinse your kettle well before using it.
A gasket needs to be cleaned or replaced
You can find different types of gaskets on a kettle: lid, handle or base/O-ring. If, despite descaling, the appliance continues to leak, attempt to disassemble it to inspect these seal(s). You will be able to take most models apart, with the electrically unplugged, by removing the screws located under the base. If you find that a joint is dirty or improperly positioned, a good cleaning and putting it back in place will be enough to solve the problem. On the other hand, if the existing gasket is damaged, cracked, or overscaled, it will be necessary to replace it.
The water level control gauge is broken
Most kettles have a gauge that allows you to visually check the amount of water in the appliance. This element is usually a plastic tube. And it is not uncommon for this tube to break or crack. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to replace it, but it is possible to prevent water from entering this pipe with a screw. This will allow you to use the kettle without leaking, but without the possibility of controlling the water level. This isn’t a big deal, you just have to fill the kettle with the exact amount of water you need, which will be measured by a container, such as a cup, bowl, etc.
The kettle’s body is cracked
If you’ve accidentally dropped your kettle, the bowl may have cracked. Unfortunately in this case, there’s no real solution because to seal the crack it is necessary to use a glue resistant to high temperatures.