Ask The Experts: How To Eliminate Dishwasher Leaking

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Many homes and apartments have not only the mandatory stove and refrigerator in the kitchen but also a dishwasher. Using one requires special detergents, knowledge of how to correctly load the racks and caddy, and removing the food from dishes and plates before loading them.
 
If your kitchen in your residence has a dishwasher, misuse can lead to leaks which rapidly create water damage. The manual that explains proper use might seem overly detailed but not following the instructions can damage your machine, and your home, too.
 
The reason why dishwashers should never have regular dishwashing liquid used in them is that the suds can increase the pressure enough to break the door's seal. Once broken, water can easily pour out. Hot soapy water quickly drenches the floor and finds its way deep into openings in your flooring. Small spills on a tile floor when quickly mopped up cause not significant water damage.
 
Incorrectly loading the dishes into racks and the flatware caddy can let things dislodge and cause problems. Items too small to safely go into the dishwasher can end up forced into the drain lines and clog them. Knives can break the interior shell of older models and cause leaks that way. These leaks might happen during or after the cycle completes and become a source of water damage. Always inspect your water supply line, drainage hose for cracks and connection to the plumbing to prevent pressurized, high volumes of water from soaking the kitchen base cabinets and more.
 
Using a dishwasher means rinsing plates adequately after scraping any food left on them. Two problems happen that you can easily prevent. One is using dish soap when rinsing. This is entirely unnecessary and also a waste of resources. Not rinsing off all of the soap can lead to the overproduction of suds already mentioned above. The other problem is not rinsing enough or at all. Removing liquid or semi-liquid food like salsa or mashed potatoes is not as important as eliminating peas or bits of meat. A drain line that becomes clogged with food can send water all over your floor only a few minutes after you start the next cycle.
 
As always, a bit of prevention that might seem inconsequential or even a bother can help protect your home from water damage. When damage already exists, SERVPRO is ready to take your call and answer your questions. We can help get things cleared up and dry again, "Like it never even happened." We are faster to any disaster and are ready to put our expertise to work for you!