A GE Dishwasher Leaking From the Bottom in Avondale, Chicago

Water Under a GE Dishwasher in Avondale, Chicago

A homeowner in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago called A+ Appliance Repair and Maintenance about a GE dishwasher that was leaking from the bottom. A dishwasher that leaks underneath is worth taking seriously, because the machine sits enclosed under a countertop where a leak works into the cabinet base and the subfloor before you ever see it out on the kitchen floor.

Why a dishwasher leaks from the bottom

A leak at the bottom of a dishwasher points attention at the components down in and around the sump and pump, where the water collects and gets pumped out. One common source is the drain pump. The drain pump moves water out of the dishwasher at the end of the cycle, and it and its housing and seals handle water under pressure. When the drain pump cracks, its seals fail, or it otherwise develops a leak, water escapes from the bottom of the machine, exactly the symptom this customer had.

Because a bottom leak can come from the pump, the sump, hoses, or seals in that area, finding the actual source is the important first step. Our technician traced the leak rather than guessing, so the repair could address where the water was truly escaping.

The repair

Our technician traced the leak to the drain pump and replaced it, stopping the leak at its source. With the new drain pump installed, water was once again contained and moved out of the machine properly instead of escaping from the bottom. Our technician ran the dishwasher through a full cycle and confirmed it drained correctly and stayed dry underneath, with no water escaping. On a leak repair, running the machine and confirming it stays dry is the real test, because a leak is only truly fixed when the dishwasher can run a complete cycle without putting water where it does not belong.

Why a dishwasher leak deserves prompt attention

A dishwasher leak is different from many appliance problems because of where the machine lives. Enclosed under the counter, a slow leak from the bottom can soak into the cabinet base, the subfloor, and the surrounding flooring for a long time before it becomes visible, and by then the water damage can be worse than the appliance repair. That is why a dishwasher that is leaking, even a little, is worth having looked at quickly. Catching it early, as this customer did, keeps it a pump repair rather than a water-damage project.

What a homeowner can watch for

A few signs point to a dishwasher leak. Water pooling on the floor at the base of the dishwasher, dampness or water staining in the cabinet next to or under the unit, or a musty smell around the dishwasher can all indicate a leak. If you notice any of those, it is worth having the machine looked at before the water works into places that are expensive to repair. And if you ever see water actively coming from under the dishwasher during or after a cycle, stopping its use until it is repaired protects your floors and cabinetry.

About A+ Appliance Repair and Maintenance

We service GE, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Bosch, LG, Samsung, and every other major dishwasher brand throughout Avondale, Logan Square, and the surrounding Chicago neighborhoods. Our technicians are certified and carry common parts, so a leak repair like this one can usually be diagnosed and completed in a single visit.

We quote the price upfront before any work begins, we waive the service call fee when you move forward with the repair, and every completed repair is backed by our full repair warranty. If your dishwasher is leaking from the bottom, we can find where the water is escaping and stop it before it damages your kitchen.