Washing machine leaking water? Where it comes from and how to stop it

Water on the kitchen floor is never a good start to the day. The good part is that where it's leaking from usually tells you what's wrong. Leaking water is around 18% of our recent washing machine repairs, and tracing it to the source is the first thing our engineers do. You can do the same.

Safety first

If water has reached the plug, the socket or an extension lead, leave it. Turn that circuit off at the fuse box and keep it off until everything's dry and checked. Otherwise pull the plug out and mop up, so you can watch where fresh water appears.

Work out where it's coming from

Leaking from the front is usually the door seal. A perished, split or gunked-up seal is the most common source of all, and the seal is the part our engineers replace most on washing machines. The water shows up at the door, often near the end of a cycle. Wipe it and check the lower folds for a tear, or for something trapped that's holding it open. A drawer that overflows, often from too much detergent, will also run down the front.

Leaking from underneath is usually a hose or the pump. The fill hoses at the back, the internal hoses, or the drain connection can split or work loose, so pull the machine out and follow the wet trail. A cracked pump housing or a failed tub seal leaks from the base during the wash, and that one's inside the machine.

When it's a repair

A perished seal, a split hose or a leaking pump all need replacing to stop the leak for good. The usual band for a leak is £80 to £150, with the part quoted separately and the price confirmed before any work. The engineers carry the common parts, so most jobs are done in one visit.

Book a washing machine repair

If you've found the leak and it's the seal, a hose or something underneath, book a washing machine repair or find your local washing machine engineer.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my washing machine leaking from the bottom?

A leak from underneath usually means a split or loose hose, a cracked pump housing or a failed tub seal. Pull the machine out and find where the water trail starts.

Why is it leaking from the front?

Most front leaks are the door seal, whether it's perished, split or held open by something trapped, or an overflow from the detergent drawer. Check and clean the seal folds first.

Is a leaking washing machine dangerous?

It can be if water reaches the plug or socket, so turn the circuit off and keep clear until it's dry. The leak itself is usually a straightforward fix once you've found the source.

How much does it cost?

The usual band is £80 to £150 depending on the part, quoted separately, with the price confirmed before work.