The most common dishwasher fault is a clogged drain, causing water to sit at the bottom. Learn how to fix it yourself before calling a technician and avoid costly repairs.
Dishwasher Leak: Common Causes and How to Fix It Fast
When your dishwasher leak, a malfunction in a household appliance that allows water to escape during operation. Also known as a running dishwasher, it’s not just a mess—it’s a warning sign something’s wrong inside. Most people panic when they see water pooling under the machine, but the fix is often simple and cheap. You don’t always need a new dishwasher. In fact, over 70% of leaks in South Shields homes are caused by just a few easy-to-fix parts.
The dishwasher seal, the rubber gasket around the door that keeps water contained during the wash cycle is the usual suspect. Over time, it gets brittle, cracks, or gets food stuck in it. A quick wipe and visual check can spot the problem. If it’s cracked or squished, replacing it costs less than £20 and takes 15 minutes. Then there’s the dishwasher hose, the flexible tube that connects the machine to your water supply and drain. It can loosen, kink, or wear out from heat and pressure. Check both the inlet hose (from the wall) and the drain hose (leading to the sink trap). A loose clamp or a small crack here? Tighten or replace it—no plumber needed.
Less obvious? The dishwasher pump, the motor-driven component that moves water in and out of the machine. If it’s cracked or the impeller is broken, water can spray where it shouldn’t. Or maybe the filter, the screen at the bottom that catches food debris is clogged. A blocked filter doesn’t cause a leak directly, but it forces the pump to work harder, which can lead to pressure buildup and eventual leaks. Clean it monthly. It’s that simple.
And don’t ignore the basics. Is the dishwasher level? If it’s tilted, water pools and spills out the front. Are you overloading it? Too many dishes block the spray arms, causing water to splash over the door. Even using the wrong detergent—like regular dish soap—can create too many suds and force water out. These aren’t fancy problems. They’re everyday ones.
In South Shields, we see the same issues over and over. A worn seal. A loose hose. A dirty filter. The fixes are rarely expensive, and most can be done without calling a technician. But if you’ve checked all that and it’s still leaking? That’s when you need to look deeper—at the tub, the spray arms, or the control board. That’s where the real repair work begins.
Below, you’ll find real fixes from local repair techs who’ve handled hundreds of leaking dishwashers in homes across the area. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what actually works.