Your Washing Machine Is Leaking Water From Underneath

Are you finding water on the floor when you use your machine, either behind, underneath or in front of the appliance? This indicates your washing machine has a leak. Here we talk you through the different possible causes for this and tell you at what stage in the cycle the issues occur.

THE POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR THIS FAULT:

• The appliance is not installed properly

• Too much detergent is being used

• The door seal is damaged

• The detergent drawer is dirty

• The drain pump is obstructed

• The pressure chamber is blocked

• The pressure switch is damaged

• The bearings are worn

• Water is escaping via the heating element

• The motor tachometer is faulty

• The tub is broken or has a hole in it

• The circuit board is faulty

The appliance is not installed properly

When installing your appliance, check that the water supply hose is not wet by wiping the connections by hand with a piece of kitchen towel. Next examine the drain hose and check it isn't too deeply inserted into the plumbing standpipe. If it is, you could end up with it overflowing and causing a leak. Check the open end of the standpipe. It should be at least 65 cm above the ground and the hose must be inserted to a depth of no more than 15 cm. And finally, check the water is not overflowing from the standpipe. You will need to call in a plumber if it is.

Too much detergent is being used

The foam produced during washing is generated by the drum's back and forth movement (agitation). If there's too much, it will overflow and end up on the floor. If this is happening in your case, you are likely using too much detergent. This is not the only thing to consider however. If you live in a soft-water region, make sure you considerably reduce the dosage you use, and use a liquid detergent if at all possible.
Useful info:

• Be aware that most types of eco-friendly washing powders produce a lot more foam than liquid detergents.
• Be careful when using your appliance's "wool" programme: on some machines, the frequency of movement of the drum is quite high, causing larger amounts of foam to be generated and increasing the risk of leaks.

The door seal is damaged

The door seal can get torn or perforated, or lose its elasticity. Water can then escape during washing. Carefully check the condition of the seal by feeling along its entire circumference with your hand. If the door seal is showing signs of wear or damage, it will need to be replaced.

The detergent drawer is dirty

If your detergent drawer is either caked in deposits, dirty or blocked with detergent, the water will overflow and run down the surface of your appliance. If you have a front-loading washing machine, the water will run down the front on either the left or the right (depending on where the detergent drawer is located), as well as down the sides of the appliance. The best way of preventing this is by cleaning it regularly with the help of a brush, warm water and white vinegar.
Useful info: most eco-friendly washing powders produce much more foam than liquid detergents.

The drain pump is obstructed

The drain pump serves to evacuate the water from your washing machine. If water is escaping via its spindle, or via the filter, you will quickly be able to spot it. Simply tip the appliance up and check underneath. If, on the other hand, the filter is obstructed, your appliance could begin to leak during rinse or spin cycles. Clean the filter regularly. It can normally be found at the bottom on the right and is easy to access.

The pressure chamber is blocked

The pressure chamber on a washing machine fills with water and forces the air towards the pressure switch to indicate the level of water in the tub. Over time, the pressure chamber on your machine may become clogged up with muck and dirt. This will prevent the appliance from detecting the level of water, and the washing machine will continually fill until it overflows. Check the condition of the pressure chamber and clean it.

The pressure switch is damaged

The pressure switch enables your appliance to detect the level of water in the tub. If your machine's pressure switch is defective, your appliance may take in much more water than necessary, making it likely to overflow. If cleaning the pressure chamber does not resolve your problem, check the condition of the pressure switch and replace it if necessary.

The bearings are worn

The bearings enable the drum to rotate freely on its spindle. If you are finding blackish marks or rust on the floor underneath the appliance, it could be that the bearings are worn. When this happens, it's usually accompanied by an unpleasant rolling sound during spinning. You can check the condition of the bearings on the machine by rotating the drum quickly by hand (with the appliance switched off). If you hear a rolling sound, you will need to replace the bearings. Note: most current washing machines today are fitted with sealed tubs. If this is the case with your appliance, you will have to replace the entire tub.

Water is escaping via the heating element

The heating element heats the water in the washing machine. If an object ever comes into contact with the heating element and presses down on it, or if it is not properly tightened in place, a leak will form at its seal. If this is the case, you will need to either tighten it up or replace it.

The motor tachometer is faulty

The motor enables the drum to rotate. If any escaping water drips or runs onto the motor connector, or if the speed sensor (tachometer) is defective, the motor will race, causing the washing machine to overflow. Check to see if there are any small leaks causing water to come into contact with the motor. You can test the speed sensor (tachometer) using a multimeter in ohmmeter mode. To do this, locate the terminals via which the tachometer connects to the motor. Disconnect it from the motor and place the multimeter's two probes on its terminals to check for continuity (it should give a reading of 50 to 350 ohms, depending on the brand). If there is no continuity, this means the tachometer is defective (probably due to it being short-circuited by dripping water). Where this is the case, you will need to leave it to dry or, if necessary, replace it.

Purchase a washing machine motor

The tub is broken or has a hole in it

The tub is the part that houses the drum and heating element. If you ever see water dripping or running underneath the appliance, check the tub for holes or breakages. The tubs on modern machines are more fragile than those on older machines. Objects left in your pockets, such as coins or screws, can damage the tub on your machine. Also take care with bra underwiring, which can pierce the tub. Consider placing underwear items in a net sack designed specially for the purpose. If the tub is in bad condition, it will need to be replaced.

The circuit board is faulty

The control module manages all your washing machine's functions (motor, heating, water, etc.). If this module is defective, the motor may run at too high a speed, resulting in a leak. The appliance may also keep filling till it overflows. Before replacing the module on your washing machine, carefully check that the connector is attached to the motor and that it is has not rusted. If you have already checked everything else and your machine is still leaking, you may end up having to replace the control module. If you are planning to do this, it's also a good idea to purchase the cabling that connects the module to the motor at the same time.