A Leaking Dishwasher? Maybe It’s The “Neighbors” Fault!

Just because water is pouring out of the bottom of your dishwasher doesn’t always incriminate the dishwasher. Sometimes it’s the innocent victim. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Take for example the recent case of a Frigidaire Model FD8510LCS0.

Obviously, water coming from the bottom front area of the dishwasher. However, the double-basin kitchen sink also was a slow-drain situation. That’s pertinent because your dishwasher empties in that direction! And if there’s a clog in that area? No draining, a backup, an overflow. Therefore, the dishwashers “neighbor”, the sink (and its drainage system) was the real cause of the leak.

Underneath the kitchen sink is what is called a “J” trap. It’s where the water from your sink flows. Over time, debris builds up there, causing an obstruction. This blockage not only reveals itself by a slow draining sink, but also a leaking/overflowing dishwasher.

Plumbing pipes under sinks for decades were metal. Iron for example. Thankfully, most pipes in homes today are plastic. So it’s easy for a resident to remove this “J” trap (sometimes by hand) and remove any debris. Then simply reinstall this piece of pipe, making sure it’s sufficiently tight.

You’ve spent 10 to 15 minutes, and no money, to fix your leaking dishwasher. The time has come to test for leaks. Turning on the dishwasher, you experience no leaks. To see if you’ve killed 2 birds with 1 stone, you may want to fill your sink and see if it drains quickly. Hopefully, a double victory.

However, if your dishwasher leak has not disappeared, it’s possible the repair calls for a professional appliance repair company. When this applies to you, and you’d like to deal with an appliance repair business that also repairs washers, dryers, refrigerators, and ovens, contact us now!