Appliance Leak: What to Do First
Appliance leaks are among the most common causes of water damage in a home, and they are easy to miss. A washing machine hose can split while the machine is running, a dishwasher can leak under the cabinet, and a refrigerator water line can drip for weeks before anyone looks behind it.
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The first steps are the same for all three: stop the water, protect what you can, and get help if the water has spread.
Washing machine, dishwasher and refrigerator leaks
Washing machine leaks often come from a supply hose, a drain hose or the machine itself, and they can release a large amount of water in a short time. Dishwasher leaks tend to be slower, pooling under the machine and soaking the floor beneath it before anyone notices.
Refrigerator leaks usually come from the water line that feeds an ice maker or dispenser, and they often show up as a damp patch on the floor or a warped board in front of the fridge. In each case, the water has usually been running longer than it looks.
Shut the water off if it is safe
Shut off the water supply to the appliance if you can reach the valve without stepping into standing water. Washing machines usually have valves behind the machine, and dishwashers and refrigerators often have a shut-off under the sink or behind the appliance.
If you cannot reach the valve safely, shut off the main water supply instead, again only if you can do so from a dry place. Then pull the appliance away from the wall only if it is safe and the floor is dry enough to work on.
Move belongings and contain the water
Move rugs, papers and anything on the floor away from the water, and use towels to soak up what you can from a dry position. Do not use a household vacuum on standing water, and do not step into water that is near an electrical outlet or appliance.
If the leak has soaked into the floor, the damage may go deeper than the surface. Our page on carpet and floor water damage repair explains how wet floors are assessed, and water damage restoration covers the wider process.
When to call
Call a professional if the water has spread beyond the appliance, if the floor is soaked, if the leak is still running, or if you can smell dampness under the floor. A small puddle you can mop up is one thing; water under flooring is another.
In the Rochester area, water damage help in Rochester can arrange an inspection of a kitchen or laundry room after an appliance leak. Note which appliance leaked and when you first noticed it, so the crew can find the source quickly.
Key Takeaways
- Washing machine leaks often come from a supply hose, a drain hose or the machine itself, and they can release a large amount of water in a short time.
- Shut off the water supply to the appliance if you can reach the valve without stepping into standing water.
- Move rugs, papers and anything on the floor away from the water, and use towels to soak up what you can from a dry position.
- Call a professional if the water has spread beyond the appliance, if the floor is soaked, if the leak is still running, or if you can smell dampness under the floor.
Ready for the Next Step?
Call to arrange a water damage visit in New York. Describe what you found and we will talk through the next step.
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