If you have hardwood floors, you probably know that water is one of the biggest causes of damage. Wood is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs moisture. Water on the floors will get inside of the wood, causing it to expand and swell, which can quickly turn into a disaster. If your dishwasher leaks, you need to get it repaired right away to minimize the damage. If you act quickly, you can save your floors with minimal repairs. Take a look at what you should do when your dishwasher leaks.
Can Your Floors Be Saved After a Dishwasher Leak?
Sometimes your floors can be saved, but other times, there may be too much damage. The first factor is how long the water was on the floor and how much it damaged the wood. If the water has been sitting too long, the floors and the subfloor might be damaged and need to be replaced. If your floors are installed on concrete and the water has been sitting for a long time, it is hard to save them.
Concrete is a permeable substance, and it is very difficult to get the water out of it. Having the moisture underneath the wood floors will cause it to continue coming up through the wood.
However, if you notice your dishwasher leaking right when it happens, you can save your hardwood floors. You will need to stop the leak and get the water cleaned up as quickly as possible. You may need to take steps to dry out the floor where there is moisture, but this can be done.
What Should You Do When You Notice Your Dishwasher Leaking?
If you notice that your dishwasher is leaking, you will want to take action right away. Most dishwashers are installed under the counter, so you can’t see the floor beneath them. Unfortunately, when you notice that the dishwasher has been leaking, it is usually after the water seeps up in front of the dishwasher. You will need to start by turning the water supply to the dishwasher off until you can have it repaired.
Next, you will need to pull the dishwasher out to assess the damage. If you are noticing water in front of the dishwasher, there is a good chance that the floor under the dishwasher has a lot of moisture. It is important to check the floor under the dishwasher as well as the cabinets next to it. The moisture can actually work its way up the sides of the cabinets if it is sitting too long.
If the water damage is bad, you may need to replace the floors. This also depends on your subfloor. However, one option is to use a dehumidifier and dry out the area under the dishwasher. It may be a difficult job if the water has been leaking for a while and you were unaware of it. The most important thing is to pay attention to your dishwasher so that you know if something goes wrong.
If you catch it when there is minimal damage, you need to turn the water supply to the dishwasher off until you can get someone to repair it. Then dry the area under the dishwasher and place the dishwasher back inside once it is completely dry.
How to Prevent Dishwasher Leaks
If you notice your dishwasher leaking, it can normally be fixed fairly easily. Leaks happen for different reasons, some of which are based on how you use it. They can happen when a gasket has a fault, or they happen when people use too much detergent or overload the dishwasher.
First of all, you should be careful not to overload the dishwasher. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations as to the capacity of the dishwasher. You also need to use the amount and type of detergent that they recommend.
Another important factor is that the dishwasher needs to be level. It should be installed so that all four legs are evenly on the floor. The gasket is the rubber strip on the door, and you need to make sure that you check it for corrosion or cracking. If it goes bad, the dishwasher will leak.
If you do replace the gasket, you need to turn the dishwasher off first and install it from the top to the bottom. You can soak it in warm water so that it is easier to install.
You also need to keep track of the spray arm, which is normally on the bottom of the dishwasher. It can crack or warp, especially if it is made of plastic. The spray arm has holes, and you need to make sure that they don’t get blocked. You can clean them with a metal wire that fits in the holes.
Another place where the dishwasher can leak is from the bottom through the drain hose. You need to make sure that there aren’t any loose or damaged connections. These are all places to check regularly and if you notice water coming out of your dishwasher, you need to turn the water supply off and get it repaired as soon as possible.
How Long Does It Take for Your Wood Floor to Dry After the Dishwasher Leaks
How long it takes for the wood floor to dry after water damage depends on the extent of the damage. If you catch your dishwasher leaking right away, you could dry it in a few hours. However, if you don’t notice it and it has time to leak and damage the floors, it could take as long as ten days to dry it out.
The wood will absorb the water quickly, and it will swell. If it is under the dishwasher, it will hold the water in because there is nothing to dry it. You can call a professional to dry your floors for you, or you can try to do it yourself.
First, you need to turn the water off to the dishwasher. Then, remove the dishwasher and anything else in the general area. You should open your windows if you can to help the moisture evaporate more quickly. If you have a wet vac, you can remove as much water as possible. If it is deep enough, you can use a pump to drain it.
Once you have removed as much of the water as you can, you still need to dry out the wood. You can use a fan, a dehumidifier, or a heater to help dry the wood out. The type of wood matters because different types of wood absorb more water than others. If the water damage is extensive, you might want to call in a professional because they have the equipment necessary to remove the water and save your floor if it is possible.
Final Words
If you discover your dishwasher leaking, you need to take action right away. If you have wood floors, they can become damaged if the water sits on them for any length of time. It is important to check your dishwasher regularly to make sure that it isn’t leaking, and if you find that it is, turn it off and disconnect the water supply. Then, pull the dishwasher out to assess the damage. You need to remove the water as quickly as possible, and then use a fan or a dehumidifier to dry it out.