4 Reasons Why Whirlpool Washer Leaking From Bottom – Let’s Fix It

Whirlpool washers are among the most reliable and longest-lasting models of washing machines available, but they can still experience problems. When a Whirlpool washer is leaking from bottom, it is usually caused by a hose coming loose or a faulty component within the machine itself. You can correct these problems yourself without calling a repair technician.

Is your Whirlpool washing machine leaking? Your first step should be to find the source of the leak — it could be an easy fix. Below are some common leaks and possible fixes.

Adjust Washer Leveling Legs

If you notice excessive vibration in your Whirlpool washer, it’s possible the unit isn’t level. Vibration during operation can result in leaks from the door seal, which is a point of ingress for water damage to the interior of the washer. It is necessary to make sure the washer is level with the floor to resolve this issue.

If you find that your washer isn’t level, use a wrench to adjust the height of the leveling legs. Each leg should be firmly attached to the cabinet and make firm contact with the ground. This will help ensure that your washer works efficiently and doesn’t end up draining water into an unbalanced load of laundry.

Kink/Clog in Washer Drain Hose

The number one cause for leaks in a Whirlpool front load washing machine is due to a faulty drain hose. If you are experiencing water stains or wet floors in your laundry room, the main culprit could be your drain hose. The most common sign of a leaky drain hose is water collecting underneath the washer. If you find this, turn off the washer and call a service repairman as soon as possible.

A kink in your washing machine’s water supply line can lead to increased pressure in the line, resulting in water leaks. To avoid this problem, check your hose regularly for kinks. If your hose is damaged, you’ll need to replace it with the same hose size or a larger size hose.

A clogged drain hose will also cause backups and leaks. Disconnect the drain hose to inspect if for blockages, removing any debris. If you can’t clear a blockage yourself, professional assistance is the only way to resolve the problem.

If you notice a leak, check the hole. Check the discharge hose for holes or cracks. If you see damage, replace the hose immediately.

The most common cause of water backup is improper installation of the washing machine drain hose. To avoid this problem, pipe your drain hose in accordance with local plumbing codes, which generally require it to be 39-96″ from the floor to the top of the drain hose, and for it to extend no more than 8″ into the drain pipe. The hose should remain soft and flexible in its connection to the machine.

Washer Tub

The Whirlpool washing machine’s plastic outer tub may erode, rust, or otherwise develop a hole or crack.  In most cases, this problem can be solved by replacing the worn-out tub. However, if your washing machine is more than 10 years old, we will not repair the leak — we recommend that you buy a new washing machine to avoid continuing damage to your property.

This leaking issue could also originate from the rubber seal located between the machine’s transmission and its plastic outer tub. To check for a leak of this type, fill your washing machine with water and a small amount of laundry detergent. Look for any leak beneath the outer tub to confirm your diagnosis. If you find a leak like this, it can be fixed through Whirlpool’s limited one-year warranty.

Loose or Missing Hose Clamp

There should be a clamp on the drain hose of your washing machine. It should be connected to the drainage pipe extending out of your washer. The clamp will likely be located close to where the two pipes meet. Some models come with the clamp on the interior, but more commonly you can see it quite easily.

If the clamp connection feels loose or appears loose, or you don’t see any kind of connection at all, the water could be leaking out of your washer. Hand-tightening the clamp can fix this issue in some cases, but not all. If this doesn’t resolve the problem, it may be time to get a replacement part or call a professional for help with fixing your washer.

Clogged Catch Basket or Filter

The catch basket in your washing machine can become clogged with gunk that’s left behind from the laundry detergent, like soap scum. It might look like harmless residue at first, but clogs can really wreak havoc on your washer. Fiber buildup in this area could cause your washing machine to leak or burst open.

The catch basket is an indispensable part of any washing machine. The basket catches excess water, which is then drained back into the drum. If this basket isn’t clean, it can cause the drainage system to overflow. Cleaning the basket will allow you to prevent any major headaches in the future.

Door seal issues

There are many reasons that your washing machine might be leaking from the bottom. A damaged door seal is usually one of the most common causes of water damage, and can be fixed by replacing the O-ring. If the seal is undamaged, you might have to look for other causes of water damage caused by a flood. There could be a leaky hose, a clog in a drain line, or something preventing the front loading door from shutting completely.

It’s important to clean out your washing machine regularly, as a dirty seal can compromise its ability to close properly and cause leaks. If your seal is damaged or worn, it’s best to replace it — a damaged seal can’t be repaired and will just continue to leak. If you’re having trouble with leaks, wipe down the seal and the glass door with a damp cloth and then check for items caught in or against the seal that might be compromising its closure.

Faulty Pressure switch

This pressure switch is a device that measures the water level inside your washing machine and tells the machine to stop when enough water has been added. The overflow protection device can be triggered by a defective pressure switch, leading to water leaking from the bottom of the machine. This may happen if the sensor malfunctions and fails to react to any excessive amount of water, or there’s a faulty wiring connection.

To get started replacing your machine’s pressure switch, it’s recommended you have an adjustable wrench on hand. This will allow you to detach the panel of your washing machine, replacing the pressure switch in a matter of minutes. However, if you do not own an adjustable wrench, you can use a crescent wrench instead.

Inspecting your washer’s pressure switch is as simple as removing the control panel and checking for wear or cracks on the printed circuit board. You can test it by unplugging the machine and connecting the two wires to the water source — if you notice a decrease in pressure, then the switch has been damaged and must be replaced.

A Leak from the Detergent Drawer

Whirlpool Washer Leaking From Bottom is a common problem with laundry detergent. If you find your detergent drawer leaking, it may not be the best time to worry about tackling this issue, but you should try to make time sooner rather than later. While there are many potential causes for detergent leakage, the bottom line is that it’s always better to fix it before rust has a chance to form around the area.

Defective Coupler

If your washing machine is leaking from the bottom or clothes are still soaked after a cycle, the rubber seal on the motor coupler might be broken. This seal, which is usually made of rubber or plastic, is designed to break if there is a malfunction to save the machinery from being damaged. If your machine is leaking, clean it up and check if the coupler is faulty.

A broken coupling in your washing machine can cause leaks and leave your clothes or other items soaking wet. Make sure you replace it as soon as you notice any issues with your machine, so that leaks don’t break out in something you can’t fix.

Faulty Water Pump

Leaks under the washer could be a sign of either a faulty water pump or compromised hoses. In either case, you will notice lots of rumbling or shaking from the machine during a wash cycle. To determine which issue is causing the leak, it’s important to find the source of the leak and stop it from getting worse.

When washers fill up with water, the water pump is responsible for getting the water through the hoses and into the tub. It’s easy to identify if there’s an issue with the pump: two large hoses should be attached to it. If they appear loose or clogged, that could be the problem.

Inspect Water Inlet valve

The hot and cold water supplies to the washing machine must be connected to water pipes that are properly fitted; they must provide enough support for the weight of the water. If this is not the case, the pipes could collapse, leading to leaks or other problems.

Remove any debris and dirt buildup from the water inlet valve screens, as they can interfere with the operation of the water valves. A full buildup of dirt and grime on these screens can eventually lead to leaks from the bottom of your Whirlpool washer.

When you need to test your washing machine’s water inlet valve, the first thing you’ll want to do is set your multimeter to the Rx1 mode. After that, position your probe so it probes where the water enters the valve. Get reading and compare it to your user manual. If you get an error code or see some anomalies, replace the valve.