This week I started noticing puddles on top of our basement dryer whenever running the dishwasher directly above it in our kitchen.
The wood in the basement ceiling above the dryer is damp and has a couple holes in it.
There is no sign of water on the kitchen floor by the dishwasher, although I of course have not pulled the dishwasher out.
Before I call in professional help, what are some things I should check for in the dishwasher?
I think you are going to have to pull the dishwasher out to find the problem. It really is not a big job to pull it out. Don't let it go. A problem like this needs attention immediately. You could end up with a flood on your hands one day if it is the water feed pipe that has sprung a small leak and suddenly gives away. Des
Is it leaking all the time? If yes it might be just the connection of the water inlet pipe to the dishwasher. Easy fix after you turn off the water. You probably don't have to pull the dishwasher out. The bottom front panel should come off after removing a few screws.
Since you only get puddles when you *use* the dishwasher, it points to one of two sources: Either something inside the dishwasher is leaking, or it's drain water leaking. It's *not* the supply line before the d/w, or it would be there all of the time. That's not much, but at least it rules out one source.
Pull it out ASAP after running it, and start looking for how high up the water is coming from.
Just a bit more info here...
My dishwasher is a Maytag model from 1990 or 1991. For the most part, it's original parts.
The leak only happens when the dishwasher is "on." I've not tried to isolate it down to which cycles it occurs. I'm assuming it's a pump, as opposed to a misfit hose.
I've got a repair guy coming over tomorrow to look at it.
Hi,
No make, model# or approx age posted.
*Some* common trouble makers....
The applianceaid.com links are great. Thanks a lot Jeff.
I'd put another post in the thread mentioning it was a 13-year-old Maytag. As it turns out, I have a rusted-through hole in the dishwasher pan, right at the drain. The repair guy thinks that perhaps the screws holding the drain in were tightened too much at manufacture, cracking the porcelain enough for the rust to form. The rust has been visible there for several years and I never gave it any thought.
On his recommendation, I'm taking some "PC11" epoxy, and after drying out the area, sanding off the rust, and roughing up the surrounding area, putting the epoxy in. He said to give it 24 hours to cure, then put another coat on and let that cure for 24 hours, and that it should then last as long as the dishwasher itself.
Not a good thing to let slide by. :(
I'm not sure what "PC11" epoxy is but I suggest you read its label carefully to make sure it's non-toxic. You shouldn't use anything toxic inside a dishwasher.
JMO
Dan O.
- Appliance411.com
Hi,
Epoxy is great stuff, usually works well on the porcelain liners :)
Glad the links where useful :)
jeff. Appliance Repair Aid
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