Why Is Your Washer Leaking?

A washing machine is one of the heavily used appliances in majority of homes across US. Nevertheless, the constant use of this machine causes wear and tear, which means that it can totally break down if necessary repairs are not carried out on time. Leaking is one of the common problems that is reported by users. So what causes leaking in a washer? Below is a brief overview of the parts that can cause this problem. You can use this guideline to figure out the part that is causing your washer to leak, so that you can repair it accordingly.

Check the hoses

The first part you should check when you notice a leak are the washer's hoses. Majority of washers are equipped with fill and drain hoses. The fill hoses, which are usually found in the rear, connect the washer's inlet valve to the household supply. You need to check this connection to ensure that the threaded fittings are tightly secured and not causing a leak from the faucet.

Remember to inspect the draining hose that is also located at the back of the machine and ensure that it is well connected into the household drain. A restricted drain that backs up through the stand pipe may also cause a leak, so be sure to check this out. Another area that you must look at is the internal hoses that connect the tub to the inlet valve. If there is a defect in these pipes, your washer will leak during the fill cycle.  To gain access to the inlet of the tub, lift the cabinet or the main top and look for any signs of cracking hoses.

Inspect the water pump

Another area you need to inspect is the drain or water pump. This is the part that helps in draining water from the washer's tub. A pump is either propelled by a belt or direct driven. Alternatively, a machine can have a separate electric pump. A pump usually has an inlet that comes from the tub and a drain hose that acts as an outlet. Also, some washers are equipped with a circulating hose outlet. If water is leaking from the washer during the drain or wash cycle, you need to inspect the drain pipe. Look out for any leak from the hose that is connected to the pump before checking whether the hose clamp is loose. The drain pipe is either attached to the drive motor or it can be found at the base frame of the washer. To access it, you need to remove the rear or front panel for most washer models. Remember to plug out the washer from the power source when removing any of these parts.

The parts identified above are the most common causes of a leaking washer. However, remember that other parts could also be faulty and cause this problem. You need to consult an appliances repair professional and share your findings with them. Using the information provided, these experts will come over to your house and fix the leak by either repairing or replacing the worn out parts.  

For more information, contact companies like Better Homes Appliance Service​.