Whirlpool washers are used several times a week, every week, until something inevitably goes wrong. One issue that users have experienced is water leaking from the washer. If you’re not sure which part of the washer is causing the leak and your floor is getting wetter than you’d like, this article will give you a range of possibilities to consider.
A Whirlpool washer will leak from the front due to a faulty door seal, too many suds or overfilling. A leak from the top is due to a damaged water inlet, low water pressure or overfilling. If the washer is not level or the drainage system is damaged, it will leak from the bottom.
There are multiple problems that can occur with each of these components, which I will further explain below. It is also good to note when the leak occurs, as this can help narrow down the issue. You can learn more about this towards the end of the article.
What Causes a Whirlpool Washer to Leak
A Whirlpool washer could leak for a number of reasons. Below is a brief overview of all the possible causes for a leak, which I will explain throughout this article.
· The tub is overfilling.
· Too many suds are produced, increasing internal pressure.
· Water inlet pressure is too low and leaks continuously.
· Damage to drain pipe, water inlet, the air gap device, water pump or door seal.
· The washer is not level.
Whirlpool Washer Troubleshooting Water Leak
The above issues can be narrowed down by determining where the leak is coming from. I will, again, explain these in more detail throughout this article. However, below is a general troubleshooting guide to what may be causing your Whirlpool washer to leak.
Where is the Leak Coming From?
First, you need to locate where the leak is coming from. If your Whirlpool washer is leaking from the door, check the following.
· The door seal may be faulty
· Too many suds (front loader)
· Overfilling (front loader)
If the leak seems to be coming from the top of the washer;
· The water inlet may be faulty
· The water pressure may be too low
· Overfilling (top loader)
If the leak is coming from the bottom of the washer;
· The drain pipe may be damaged
· The pump may be broken or faulty
· The washer is not level
When is the Leak Occurring?
The leak may only be occurring during a specific stage or cycle of the wash. If this is the case, this can narrow the issues down to other possibilities. If the leak occurs when the washer is filling, check the following.
· Water inlet connection is loose
· Air gap device is broken
If the leak occurs during the clean cycle, it is because there is a high volume of water used in this cycle. Therefore, you should instead refer to where the leak is coming from.
If the leak is occurring during the spin cycle, this is usually an issue with the drain hose. You will find more information about all of these issues below.
Whirlpool Washer Leaking from Door
Water leaking from the door is an issue found in front loader Whirlpool washers. Below are the possible causes for this leak.
Compromised Door Seal
The door seal is the primary cause of a Whirlpool washer leaking from the door, which is only the case with a front loader. This can be due to dirt build up on the seal, cracking or warping of the seal, or clothes being trapped in the seal.
Increased Internal Pressure
The pressure inside the washer will increase if there are too many suds used or if the tub is overfilled. The water levels in the tub are usually monitored by a water level pressure tube.
As the water fills, the air pressure in the tube rises. If this tube has become loose or damaged, it will not detect a rise in the water levels and the washer will overfill and overflow.
Whirlpool Washer Leaking from Top
A washer that leaks from the top is not necessarily always going to be a top loader. Overfilling of a top loader, which I will explain, is only one of three common causes for this issue. These issues are outlined below.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on July 10, 2021.
Water Over-filling (Top Loader)
As I mentioned above, the washer will overfill if the water level pressure tube is compromised. In a top loader, this leak will come from the top of the machine.
Damaged Water Inlet
The water inlet is located at the top of the washing machine, which allows the clothes to be wet as the water fills the tub from the top. Therefore if the water inlet is leaking, this will occur at the top of the machine.
If the water pipe is damaged, this leak may be seen on the outside of the washer. If it is the valve that is damaged, this will likely cause a water leak within the machine because water will flow freely from the mains water line.
Low Water Pressure
Interestingly, if your home’s water pressure is too low, this can also cause a slow leak into the washer through the water inlet. This issue extends beyond just the washing machine, and may require a plumber to repair.
Whirlpool Washer Leak from Bottom
The Drain Assembly is Broken
If the water leak can be sourced to the bottom of the washer, this is where the pump and drain are located. Therefore, there may be damage to the pump or leaking drain pipe. The drain pipe will leak if it is not connected properly or is cracked.
The drain pipe can also slowly leak as the washer is filling if it has not been installed correctly. The hose must loop from the ground to a position higher than the washing machine. This prevents the water from being continuously drained out of the washer with gravity.
The Washer is Not Level
A washer that is not sitting level will also leak. This is because the load is not evenly distributed, particularly when the tub is spinning and being thrown around. Your Whirlpool washer won’t spin altogether too if it’s too uneven. If you use a spirit level and your washer is sitting on an uneven surface, you can adjust the legs to make the washer more level and hopefully fix the leak.
Whirlpool Washer Leaks when Filling
If your washer is leaking when it is filling, this could be because of the issue mentioned above, where the drain hose does not sit above the level of the washing machine. However, there are also two other common possibilities, listed below.
Compromised Water Inlet Connection
The water inlet connection may have become loose, causing the washer to leak when water is flowing through to fill the tub. The gaskets around the connection may also be damaged or missing, meaning that it is no longer properly sealed.
Damaged Air Gap Device
The air gap device is located on the water pipes that lead into the washer. This is designed to prevent water from being siphoned back into your home’s water supply. If it is damaged, it can leak water, but this should only occur if the water supply loses pressure.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on July 10, 2021.
Whirlpool Washer Leaks on Clean Cycle
The clean cycle on a Whirlpool washer uses the highest volume of water compared to all other cycles. This means that it has the highest pressure within the machine. For this reason, any compromised seals that were otherwise unnoticed will be exposed using this cycle.
Another common issue is when users add too many suds for the clean cycle. As I mentioned earlier, too many suds will further increase the pressure inside the washer, increasing the likelihood of leaks.
Whirlpool Washer Leaks on Spin Cycle
The spin cycle occurs at the end of the washing process and is used to remove excess water from the clothes. During this cycle, the water in the tub will be fully drained(if washer is not draining), and then any excess water will all be drained as the clothed spin.
For this reason, leaks that occur in the spin cycle or most likely related to the drainage system. This issue could be related to the pump, which could be damaged when pumping out the water.
However, drain issues are more likely a result of damage to the drain hose. This can include cracks or a damaged connection. It could also be a kink in the hose, increasing the pressure in the drain assembly and forcing the water out of the machine.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on July 10, 2021.