We are installing a new dishwasher and I was thinking about dealing with possible leaks under the machine. In the short term I expect no leaks but I'm worried about years down the road. Ideally I would install a pan with a drain but that's not an easy option. I was thinking about a 3 sided pan + cloth to absorb some amount of water + moisture sensor. Anyone have experiences or suggestions here?
Dishwasher leak protection.
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kaymccampbell
Well-known member
My tile floor slopes to the middle front, keeps the occasional leak out on the kitchen floor where I can see and address it. It's saved me a couple times.
If I didn't have the option of changing the slope, then I'd buy a vinyl shower pan kit and install it so it pours out the front.
If I didn't have the option of changing the slope, then I'd buy a vinyl shower pan kit and install it so it pours out the front.
Farmall450
Well-known member
A cloth will just hold water unbeknownst to you. Water sensor will get annoying when the batteries die. I guess you could fab up a stainless pan and put lips on all 3 sides except the front?
3 sided pans for this exact purpose are about $30. I wasn't sure if someone had a better idea or bad experience with these.
southalabama
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Three sided pan dumps out front so you can see it.
pcmeiners
Well-known member
Unless you use cheap hoses and improper installation methods, extremely rare you dishwasher will leak over it's life time, your water heater leaking is 10 times more likely, just about any other plumbing fixture has more of a chance at leaking. Your over thinking
My outgoing dishwasher had a part that was part of the unit that leaked. No fault of the plumbing or install. The water heater is happily in a room with a floor drain so on no concerns there. I think I will just do the tray.
RaisedByWolves
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We even have hardwood floors in our kitchen and I have never heard of this being a thing.
CraigStu
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I agree the probability is very low but.....SIL had a leak at the washing machine hookup.
Not this exact model but similar in 3 yrs old house. The casting where the small damper unit is permanently attached cracked. It sprayed a very thin stream of water and wasn't noticed until the water ran out of the box, down to the floor, and finally out from under the machine onto their bedroom carpet. Replacing the water outlet unit wasn't a big deal but replacing the drywall, the insulation in the wall, and part of the carpet sure wasn't fun. So yeah, a little forethought by the OP isn't a bad idea.
Not this exact model but similar in 3 yrs old house. The casting where the small damper unit is permanently attached cracked. It sprayed a very thin stream of water and wasn't noticed until the water ran out of the box, down to the floor, and finally out from under the machine onto their bedroom carpet. Replacing the water outlet unit wasn't a big deal but replacing the drywall, the insulation in the wall, and part of the carpet sure wasn't fun. So yeah, a little forethought by the OP isn't a bad idea.
wssix99
Well-known member
A water leak is more annoying then the batteries dying in the water sensor. Just change them with the smoke detectors.
I started using one of these after my water heater melted down. It saved me from a second leak. Changing batteries is a small price to pay for the warning.
Mine leaked from the bottom/pump at about 10 years old. Still worked otherwise. Luckily enough water came out and we noticed it. I wouldn't put it in the not something to worry about category.
pilotmotor
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i fix appliances every now and then for friends and family . I was working on a bosch dishwasher about 20 years ago that had a pan built into the unit and a float switch that would shut it off in the event of a leak. Cool design i thought. This is similar to the design of the secondary catch pan installed under an air handler in case condensate leaks out of the primary pan
Skyman
Well-known member
There are water sensors dangling in each of my sump pump pits, and one sitting on the floor next to the water heater. Their 9-volt batteries get replaced annually, same as thermostat, smoke detectors, and CO detector. It's a once-a-year chore that takes about ten minutes, and provides some warning of problems before they become big problems.
Skyman
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finn
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We tiled the floor.
Our Samsung leaks occasionally. It’s a Samsung, though, so what can I say. Pretty sure it’s related to the soap pellets we were using. Supposedly the pellets have a lot of clay like filler to bulk them up.
Don’t know if it’s true though.
Our Samsung leaks occasionally. It’s a Samsung, though, so what can I say. Pretty sure it’s related to the soap pellets we were using. Supposedly the pellets have a lot of clay like filler to bulk them up.
Don’t know if it’s true though.
CraigStu
Well-known member
There are water sensors in the heatpump indoor units to turn off the AC if the pan doesn't drain the condensate. They are powered by 120V so I bet there are non-battery units available.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Little bit harder to get behind the dishwasher than your wide open basement lol
There are water sensors you can add to the pans mentioned above. I have them on my ring system that alerts to my phone and also the Home Depot version that just make noise.
If you have a different brand alarm call then may have something that integrates.
If you have a different brand alarm call then may have something that integrates.
engineer2
Well-known member
If they do leak, dishwashers usually seep water around the lower part of the door gasket. I have two defense systems. A "dry drain" under the cabinet going to the basement sump pump. Second one is a water alarm under the dishwasher, which would cover a water leak from the kitchen sink as well. When I did the kitchen floor I designed it to channel water towards the drain.
wolfhawk73
Well-known member
This. Return the dishwasher and get a Bosch with a full stainless tub. They have a base that channels any potential leaks to a float switch. The amount of engineering and design in that thing is nuts.
Not going to happen. My wife liked this one (GE Profile) so that is what will be installed. If this were really my choice we would still use the old one as it's not dead yet.
I've ordered a tray for when the floors are done and the dishwasher is installed.
wssix99
Well-known member
This thread cursed me. 
Water under my dishwasher today... All over the wood kitchen floor...
Per my other posts, I don't have a water sensor under my dishwasher, but may put one there now. (Its actually more accessible than where my on-demand water heater leaks.)
I am married to a "Karen", which is how I got notified about this leak. Karen is much louder and more annoying than a water sensor. Karen also tends to destroy other good working things in response to "emergencies." I'm less concerned about the water - but hopefully the sensor will help me from setting off Karen as frequently.
The workings of the dishwasher (underneath) are fine. I had a clogged trap/filter, which slowed down the pump draining the tub. The leak came out the lower lip of the door as the water backed up in the tub. (This is the second time this has happened. This time the filter had a layer of scum on it. The first time, a clear pack of egg roll mustard got into the wash and clogged things up.) A pan underneath the dishwasher wouldn't have caught this leak/water, but the water sensor would have paid off.
Water under my dishwasher today... All over the wood kitchen floor...Per my other posts, I don't have a water sensor under my dishwasher, but may put one there now. (Its actually more accessible than where my on-demand water heater leaks.)
I am married to a "Karen", which is how I got notified about this leak. Karen is much louder and more annoying than a water sensor. Karen also tends to destroy other good working things in response to "emergencies." I'm less concerned about the water - but hopefully the sensor will help me from setting off Karen as frequently.
The workings of the dishwasher (underneath) are fine. I had a clogged trap/filter, which slowed down the pump draining the tub. The leak came out the lower lip of the door as the water backed up in the tub. (This is the second time this has happened. This time the filter had a layer of scum on it. The first time, a clear pack of egg roll mustard got into the wash and clogged things up.) A pan underneath the dishwasher wouldn't have caught this leak/water, but the water sensor would have paid off.
evildky
Well-known member
I own and manage rental homes, most of which have dish washers. 25 years int he business, leaks just aren't usually a thing.
There are 4 possible sources of a leak:
First, the water supply, if the line breaks or the washer at either end goes no pan is going to contain it. Never had one go, we always replace the supply line when we replace the unit.
Second, the water drain. The discharge is getting pumped out at a fairly rapid pace. it's got hose clamps at either end. If the hose comes off the pan will not contain the mess. We occasionally find a small drip at a worm clamp upon installation, fix it and move on.
Third, the plumbing bits under. Depending on the brand there may be a hose or tube that moves water form a drain to a pump, and then there is the pump itself, never had one leak.
Fourth, door seal. if this is bad a pan under isn't going to catch it, it comes out the front, they rarely fail and we replace the unit.
Only the supply line would be an active leak when not in use. anything else would be obvious when in use and well, stop using it.
There are 4 possible sources of a leak:
First, the water supply, if the line breaks or the washer at either end goes no pan is going to contain it. Never had one go, we always replace the supply line when we replace the unit.
Second, the water drain. The discharge is getting pumped out at a fairly rapid pace. it's got hose clamps at either end. If the hose comes off the pan will not contain the mess. We occasionally find a small drip at a worm clamp upon installation, fix it and move on.
Third, the plumbing bits under. Depending on the brand there may be a hose or tube that moves water form a drain to a pump, and then there is the pump itself, never had one leak.
Fourth, door seal. if this is bad a pan under isn't going to catch it, it comes out the front, they rarely fail and we replace the unit.
Only the supply line would be an active leak when not in use. anything else would be obvious when in use and well, stop using it.
Milton Shaw
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Evildky, as a repair appliance repair man, most of the leaks I saw were from getting Dawn (handwashing detergent) in the dishwasher which suds over the dishwasher. Not as bad as in the movie "Home alone" but still fills the washer and runs out the air gap in the dishwasher front door bottom seal and across the kitchen floor. The immediate fix is to spray "Pam" over the dished, start again, and it will kill suds quickly. Most other leaks are cut seals from broken glass getting down in the pump and cutting the seal.
evildky
Well-known member
lol, I hope to never need that pam trick.
We had an occasional leak problem in our previous bosch dishwasher. It turns out that, on some bosch models, if you have a tall item on one side of the bottom section, it blocks a vent and causes a major leak during draining. Took us a while to figure that out. When that dishwasher failed, we replaced it with another bosch, but are careful not to put tall items (like cutting boards) on the bottom rack. I found nothing in the Bosch manual that indicated this was something to avoid.
We installed a 3-sided pan which would have helped us identify this much quicker as the water all poured out into the mechanical space below the kitchen we rarely enter. It also would have resulted in considerably more damage to the finished floor. We lose either way.
We installed a 3-sided pan which would have helped us identify this much quicker as the water all poured out into the mechanical space below the kitchen we rarely enter. It also would have resulted in considerably more damage to the finished floor. We lose either way.
wssix99
Well-known member
My strainer was definitely a problem but my leak persisted. I found water flowing out the electrical connector for the diverter, so it appears that I have a problem with my diverter seal. (This appears to plague several brands of washers, allows water to get into the diverter motor, which then flows out underneath the dishwasher.
... I'm definitely putting in the water sensor. I think I'll mount the batteries inside the sink cabinet so they are easy to access and then drill a hole so I can run the sensor lead through the side of the cabinet and then underneath the dishwasher.
... I'm definitely putting in the water sensor. I think I'll mount the batteries inside the sink cabinet so they are easy to access and then drill a hole so I can run the sensor lead through the side of the cabinet and then underneath the dishwasher.