Common washing machine problem
Washing machine leaking? Where it leaks from tells you why
Where a washing machine leaks from, and when, usually points to the cause. From the door, it is often the door seal. From underneath while the machine is off, it is often a fill hose. From underneath while draining, it may be the pump. From the drawer, it is usually blocked channels or too much detergent. First, make it safe.
- £75 fixed labour fee, plus parts
- Usually repaired the same or next working day
- Parts and labour guaranteed
What you might be seeing
- A puddle in front of the machine after a wash.
- Water running down the front from the door or the drawer.
- A damp patch underneath that's there even when the machine is off.
- Suds creeping out of the drawer or the door.
Checks that are safe to do at home
If you are happy to have a look yourself, these are the checks that are safe to do. Unplug the machine first. If you would rather not, just give us a call. We're always happy to help.
- Switch the machine off at the wall and turn off the tap behind it. Keep water away from the plug and the socket.Water and electricity together are dangerous. If water has reached the socket or the plug, switch off at the fuse box if it is safe to do so, and do not touch exposed wires.
- Look at where the water is. Door, drawer, or underneath? That is usually the best clue to the cause.
- Run your fingers round the folds of the door seal. Grit, hair grips and a build-up of detergent sludge stop it sealing, and so does a small tear.
- Pull out the detergent drawer and clean it and its housing. Blocked channels make the water back up and run down the front.
- Check the two hose connections at the back (the fill hose at the tap and at the machine) are tight, that the drain hose is not split or badly connected, and that the filter cap at the front is screwed in tight.
- Use less detergent. Too much makes suds that force their way out of the seal and the drawer.
Electrical Safety First has general advice on using a washing machine safely.
Rather we had a look?
That is fine too. Ring us with the make and what the machine is doing, and we will give you the price before anyone comes out. Most of these are done the same or next working day.
Still not working? The likely causes
Most common first, and how we tell them apart on the day.
Door seal torn, or dirt on the seal or the glass
Water from the front, usually during the wash or rinse.
Fill hose or its tap connection
Water underneath, often even when the machine is off. These hoses are under mains pressure all the time.
Drain hose split, blocked or badly connected
Water underneath or behind the machine, often while it is draining.
Pump, its seal, or the filter cap not screwed in tight
Water underneath at the front while the machine is draining.
Drawer channels blocked, or too much detergent
Water or suds from the drawer.
Machine not level, or overloaded
Water forced out of the door or the drawer on spin.
What the repair costs, and whether it is worth it
Our labour is a fixed £75 for a freestanding machine or £85 for a built-in one, including VAT, whatever the fault. Parts are extra and quoted first. The part prices below are based on Hotpoint parts when we last checked. Other makes can cost more or less.
| Repair | Typical part price | Typical total | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New door seal | £9 to £44 | £84 to £119 | Usually yes |
| New fill hose | £8 to £20 | £83 to £95 | Usually yes |
| New drain pump | £8 to £57 | £83 to £132 | Usually yes |
| Drum bearings and seal (splittable tub) 2 to 3 hours; see the guide | £17 to £77 | £92 to £152 | Depends |
Seals, hoses and pumps are usually worth fixing on any machine. A bearing leak on a sealed drum often is not, and we will say so on the phone if the symptoms point that way.
What repairs usually cost, part by part · Is it worth repairing your washing machine?
Error codes that mean this fault
If your machine shows a code, it is telling you which circuit failed its check. These are the ones that point to this fault.
| Make | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Bosch, Siemens, Neff | E23 (water in the base tray) | What it means → |
| Samsung | LC / LE | What it means → |
| Beko | E13 | What it means → |
| AEG, Zanussi, Electrolux | EF0 | What it means → |
| Miele | Waterproof system activated | What it means → |
Related problems: Noisy or banging · Not draining · all common problems
Questions people ask
Is it safe to use a leaking washing machine?
Not until you know where the water's coming from. Switch it off at the wall, turn off the tap behind it and keep water away from the plug. A leak onto the floor is a nuisance; a leak onto electrics is a hazard.
Why is my washing machine leaking from the bottom?
Usually a hose or the pump. Leaking with the machine off often points to the fill hose or its tap connection. Leaking while draining often points to the drain hose, the pump or a filter cap that is not screwed in tight. We find which when we look at it.
Why is it leaking from the door?
Usually the door seal: either a small tear, or grit and sludge in its folds stopping it sealing against the glass. Clean the folds and the glass first. If it still leaks, the seal needs replacing.
If you can see where the leak is coming from but cannot stop it, ring us and tell us.
- 1
Ring or book online. A photo of any error code helps.
- 2
We tell you the likely fault and the price before anyone comes out.
- 3
We come the same or next working day, fix it and run a wash with you.
Open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5.30pm