There's water on the kitchen floor and it's coming from under the washing machine. Before you assume the machine is broken, check the connections. Many washing machine leaks are from the hoses or the waste pipe, and they're quick to fix.
Stop the water first
- Switch the machine off at the wall and unplug it. Water and electricity don't mix.
- Turn off the water to the machine. There's usually a small valve with a blue (cold) handle on the pipe behind or next to it. Turn it a quarter turn so the handle is across the pipe.
- Mop up, then carefully pull the machine out so you can see behind it.
When does it leak?
- All the time, even when it's off: the inlet hose or valve. Check where the hose screws onto the valve and onto the machine.
- While it fills: a split inlet hose or a worn rubber washer in the hose fitting.
- While it drains: the waste pipe. It may have slipped out of the standpipe, or the sink trap it connects to may be blocked, so water backs up and overflows.
- From the front, during a wash: the door seal or the detergent drawer. Check the rubber seal for tears or a sock caught in it, and clean the drawer.
Quick fixes
- Hose connections: tighten by hand. If it still drips, replace the rubber washer inside the hose end.
- Split hose: replace it. Hoses are cheap and screw on by hand.
- Waste pipe: push it back into the standpipe, about 15 cm, and secure it. If it drains into the sink trap, clear the trap. See how to unblock a sink.
- Filter: many machines have a pump filter behind a flap at the bottom front. A blocked filter can cause leaks and drainage problems. Put a towel and a shallow tray down before you open it.
When to call a plumber
Call us if the valve behind the machine won't turn off or is leaking, the pipes in the wall are wet, or water has gone under the floor or through the ceiling below. If the leak is inside the machine itself, you'll need an appliance repair engineer.
Common questions
Why is my washing machine leaking from the bottom?
Usually a loose or split inlet hose, a waste pipe that has slipped, or a blocked pump filter. Check the connections behind the machine first.
Can a plumber fix a leaking washing machine?
A plumber can fix leaks from the valve, hoses, waste pipe and drain. Leaks inside the machine need an appliance repair engineer.
Is it safe to use a leaking washing machine?
No. Unplug it and turn off its water valve until it's fixed, as water and electricity together are dangerous.