Consider what washing machines do: They fill up with soapy water, jiggle around a lot, then drain all of that water and spin the laundry around at high speed. Then they fill up with water a couple more times, drain and spin. So in a way, it’s really rather amazing that washing machines don’t leak water more often than they do.
But they do leak water sometimes. And when it’s your washer that’s leaking and making a soggy mess, it’s small consolation that washers don’t leak more often. If your washing machine is leaking, it’s likely that the repairman will trace the source of the leak to one of these 4 common causes:
Drain Pump
Each time that water is drained from your machine, a pump kicks on to handle that job. Over time, wear and tear can cause problems with the drain pump that may lead to leakage. One common problem with drain pumps is worn bearings that can cause leakage. And sometimes holes or cracks can develop in the pump that allows leakage. Regardless of the type of problem with the pump, it will probably have to be replaced.
Tub Seal
The tub seal has the job of keeping water inside the washer’s inner tub. So if a problem develops with the seal, a leak will be the likely result – possibly a very substantial leak. It’s not uncommon for tub seals to develop a tear, and if that happens, the seal can be replaced. Unfortunately, though, a bad tub seal can lead to a more serious problem. When water gets past the seal, there’s a good chance that the water will find its way into the tub bearings. And that can damage the bearings, and lead to increased leakage.
Replacing the tub bearings is a very extensive repair that requires disassembling most of the machine. That’s why it’s a good idea to call a repairperson at the first indication of water leakage. Prompt attention to the problem – even when the leak is small and not that much of an annoyance – might save you repair costs in the long run.
Door Boot Seal
For front-loading washers, a damaged or worn front door seal is sometimes the cause of leakage. This is a common problem, and an experienced repairperson will be able to replace the seal without difficulty. And just so you know: overloading washers is a common cause of boot seal damage.
Drain Hose
The hose through which the water drains can sometimes split or tear due to wear and age. That can happen with the hose that runs between the drain pump and the tub, and also the hose that runs from the drain pump to outside of the washer.
Replacing the hose is a relatively easy job for an experienced repairperson. But a note of caution: if you detect any water leakage, call a repairperson right away. Because a leaky hose that worsens over time can eventually lead to a massive mess. That’s because a hose leak that becomes bad enough can prevent the tub from filling with water. And since the tub doesn’t completely fill, the water valve is not triggered off. That can result in a flood of hundreds, even thousands of gallons of water dumped right onto your floor through the leaking hose as the washer continually tries to fill the tub.
If your washer machine should leak, attending to the water loss is paramount to minimize secondary damage to your structure and personal contents, while also eliminating the risk of mold growth. Call a professional water damage restoration company if you should experience a flood.
