A washing machine usually leaks due to a faulty drain pipe. You can quickly fix the problems by attaching the drain hose to the water outlet pipe.
Leaking washing machines are one of the worst laundry-related disasters that can happen to you. Leakage is a common issue that quickly becomes a big problem for people later.
When there is a water leak, you may damage a lot of furniture in your house. If there are electronic gadgets nearby, it may turn into a bigger disaster and cause electrical problems or even fire.
If you have a washing machine leaking from the bottom, you must fix the problem immediately. In this article, I will discuss identifying the cause of the leak and solving the problem on your own.
When Does A Washing Machine Leak From the Bottom?
A washing machine starts leaking from the bottom in case of a fitting problem with the drain hose. Other possible issues are a damaged drain hose, a fault with the drain pump, or a worn-out tub-to-pump hose.
If your washing machine is leaking, it is terrible news. I have already lost some pretty expensive pieces of furniture because my washer decided to leak and drown them overnight.
To avoid this, you must take steps as soon as you spot a leakage. There can be many reasons that lead to a washing machine leaking from the bottom.
I’ll discuss some of these problems here.
1. Loose Or Ill-Fitted Hose Clamp
The drain hose on a washer connects with an exterior drainage pipe and drains the water away from the machine. A single clamp attaches this hose and tube.
There may be massive water leakage when the connection is loose, rusted, broken, or missing. You will find this clamp connection in the interior or exterior of the washing machine near the drain pipe.
If you find the clamp to malfunction, you need to replace it or tighten it accordingly. You can easily find parts online or visit a hardware store to obtain them.
2. Broken Or Damaged Tub Seal
In some cases, water leakage may appear during the rinse cycle itself. The tub seal usually causes this problem.
If broken or damaged, this tub seal can cause a water leakage issue. However, one cannot fix this problem quickly, and you will require a professional to help you.
You must dismantle the washer entirely and turn it over to change the tub seal. The entire process is complicated and not suited for amateurs.
3. Clogged Filter
Your washing machine filter will handle a lot of dirt and debris in its lifetime. When the filter is unclean for extended periods, it will start to clog and cause water leakage.
I have been guilty of overlooking this issue and maintaining the washing machine filter. My mistakes caught up, and I had to pay for them dearly.
You need to clean your washer filter to avoid this problem manually. You will find it either at the top edge of the washing machine’s drum or the neat drain hose.
4. Broken Or Damaged Coupler
A broken coupler can create a lot of noise and water leakage from the bottom. A coupler is a rubber or plastic seal between the motor and a washer’s drum.
It can break down or become damaged due to different reasons. The good thing is that it is cheap and easily found in stores.
However, you might need a professional if you are not familiar with the working of a washing machine. Alternatively, you can dismantle the washing machine and reach the water pump near the coupler.
Can A Blocked Filter Cause A Washing Machine To Leak?
A blocked filter can cause water leakage in a washing machine. You must clean it regularly to avoid the filter getting clogged and causing leakage.
Ideally, it would help if you were cleaning your washer filter every three months. You can take a gap of 6 months like I do.
However, if you do laundry pretty frequently, you will need to clean them after every two months. If cleaning the filter is a problem or appears damaged, you can get a new filter from Amazon.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Leaking Washer?
| Parts | Prices |
| Drain hose | $10-20 |
| Filter | $30-50 |
| Coupler | $6-8 |
| Tub seal | $10 |
Fixing a leaking washing machine can be cheap if you are willing to work on it yourself. Depending on the requirement of parts, the cost of repairing your washing machine will be somewhere from $10-30.
If you need to tighten the clamps on the hose, you can do it without purchasing new tools. For the replacement of clamps, hoses, coupler, and tub seal, you will need around $10.
Replacing a filter is a little more expensive. It will cost you around $30, depending on your chosen brand.
Is It Worth Fixing A Leaking Washing Machine?
It is worth fixing a leaking washing machine. The underlying problems of a leaking washer are not very complicated, and the cost of replacing parts is also nominal.
From what I’ve seen, a leaking washer will require around $10-30 to get fixed. This cost is minimal compared to spending hundreds of dollars on a new one.
Even if you don’t know how to fix a washer with the help of new replacement parts, you can call a professional and save money on the whole ordeal. You will also find plenty of tutorials to help you fix the washer on your own.
Final Remarks
Fixing a leaking washer is not that big of a deal. However, if you keep ignoring these problems, you might get into big trouble.
When you spot leakage in your washer, immediately inspect the machine and find the cause. Here is a quick recap of the possible reasons.
A leaking washer usually occurs because of a faulty drain hose, blocked filter, damaged tub seal, or a broken coupler. You need to replace these items or ensure they are correctly fitted to troubleshoot the problem.
Rick Kinney
My name is Rick Kinney and I am the founder of ExHandyman. I have worked as a handyman for many years, and fixing stuff is my greatest pleasure in life.
