by Chuck Lunsford
| Before you jump right in with this one you may want to make sure all electricity to the kitchen has been turned off. Depending on your particular kitchen arrangement there may be water underneath your stove or refrigerator also. I know from experience that even the slightest bit of current can ruin your whole day. Be smart and be safe. It's a proven fact that a dishwasher is one appliance that actually stops working when it is not used regularly. |
If your dishwasher is draining onto the floor, your problem may be as simple as a leaky gasket. Open the dishwasher and look at the inside rim of the washer. You should see a black or white rubbery piece sitting in a groove that runs around the top and down the sides of the dishwasher. This is the gasket. If it looks cracked and feels hard to the touch, you have most likely located the source of your leak. To repair the dishwasher, you will need to buy a new gasket to replace the old one. I've found that an appliance repair center is the best place to start looking.
Since not all gaskets are the same size, make sure you locate the appliance model number before you shop for a gasket. You're going to have to search to find this information. You may have to loosen the retaining screws and pull the dishwasher out from under the kitchen counter. The model number can usually be found on the top of the unit.
To repair your leaky dishwasher, start by soaking the new gasket in water to presoften it and make it easier to work with. While it is softening, you can remove the old gasket. You may need a pair of needlenose pliers to help you tug the gasket out of the groove. If it comes out in pieces, that’s ok.
Now, check to be sure your gasket isn’t too long. The gaskets typically come in a linear piece and need to be cut to size to fit. It needs to fit in the grooves without hanging out at the bottom, or you won’t be able to shut the door. Try lining up the gasket with the lower left hand corner of the dishwasher groove and start pressing it into place, or use the lower right side if you happen to be a lefty like my wife. Once you reach the lower right hand corner, cut off the excess rubber without accidentally making the gasket too short.
Once the new gasket is in place, it is time to do a trial run. Keep a close eye on the dishwasher to be sure it doesn’t still leak. Hopefully, the old leaky gasket was the problem and your kitchen floor will stay nice and dry. If not, you will need to check for other problems.