Amana Dishwasher: leaking

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Amana dishwasher is leaking, it could be due to a worn door seal, loose hose connections, or other common issues. This can result in water pooling on the floor during or after a wash cycle. Identify and address these problems promptly to prevent further damage and ensure efficient operation.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Amana notes that improper leveling, wrong detergent type, water supply line issues, and drain hose positioning can cause leaks.

Possible Causes

Worn or damaged door gasket / seal

How to Identify: Water pooling near the front of the dishwasher door during or after cycles; visible cracks, tears, or gaps in gasket; poor adhesion test (paper slip test

Part: Door gasket / rubber seal

Loose or damaged hose connections (drain or water inlet)

How to Identify: Water leaks from underneath the unit; inspection shows loose clamps, cracked hoses, or disconnected connections; leak near hose connection points

Part: Drain hose, water supply hose and clamps

Faulty water inlet valve

How to Identify: Overfilling during cycle (water continues after fill; seepage near valve area under unit; hissing sounds during fill phase

Part: Water inlet valve

Cracked spray arm or misdirected spray causing improper water distribution

How to Identify: Water sprayed toward door gasket due to cracked or improperly mounted spray arms; check arms for cracks or improper rotation

Part: Spray arms/arm assembly

Pump seal or pump housing leak

How to Identify: Water under dishwasher not specifically at door; inspect pump area for wetness or visible dripping during operation

Part: Pump and pump seals

Unlevel dishwasher

How to Identify: Dishwasher tilts forward/backward on floor; water pools and leaks more on one side

Part: Dishwasher mounting/legs

DIY Solutions

Inspect and clean or replace door gasket

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, mild detergent/cloth
  1. Open dishwasher and visually inspect door gasket for cracks, gaps or debris
  2. Clean gasket with warm, soapy water removing food debris
  3. Perform paper slip test around entire perimeter to check seal effectiveness
  4. If gasket is damaged, remove old gasket and install a replacement specific to Amana model
  5. Ensure new gasket is seated fully and test with short cycle
⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power before working around door area

Tighten or replace loose/damaged hoses

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, pliers, replacement hose/clamps if needed
  1. Unplug dishwasher and shut off water supply
  2. Remove lower access panel
  3. Inspect drain and water inlet hoses for cracks or loose clamps
  4. Tighten hose clamps; if hoses are cracked or worn replace with correct part
  5. Reassemble access panel and run test cycle to check for leaks
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure water supply is off before disconnecting hoses

Adjust dishwasher leveling

Easy 10–15 minutes
Tools Needed: level tool, wrench
  1. Place level on open dishwasher door to check alignment
  2. Adjust the dishwasher’s leveling legs until unit is horizontally level
  3. Retest operation to see if leak persists

Inspect and clean spray arms

Easy 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: none or simple screwdriver
  1. Remove utensil racks and inspect spray arms for cracks or obstructions
  2. Clear any debris blocking spray holes
  3. Ensure arms spin freely; replace if cracked

Professional Repairs

Replace water inlet valve

Estimated Cost: $40–$120 (part) plus labor

Pump seal or pump assembly replacement

Estimated Cost: $50–$200 (parts) plus labor

Cracked tub repair or replacement

Estimated Cost: $200–$600+

When to Call a Professional

Water continues leaking after DIY checks and fixes
Visible cracks in tub or major internal components
Leak source cannot be identified visually

Preventive Maintenance

  • Regularly inspect and clean door gasket: Leaks caused by debris buildup or seal wear
    Frequency: monthly
  • Check hose connections annually: Leaks from loose or cracked hoses
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Dishwasher leaking?
Common causes include a worn door gasket, loose hose connections, or a faulty water inlet valve.
How do I fix Amana Dishwasher leaking myself?
Inspect and clean the door gasket, tighten hoses, or adjust the dishwasher's leveling.
How much does it cost to fix leaking?
Professional repairs may range from $40 to $600+, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for leaking?
If DIY solutions don't resolve the leak or if the problem seems complex, contact a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

100%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Bad door gasket (2 mentions)
  • Loose heating element seal (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check door alignment and gasket condition

    Success rate: 25.0%

  2. Inspect and tighten the heating element seal

    Success rate: 25.0%
Analysis based on 3 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Amana Dishwasher leaking
  2. Amana ADB1100AWW1 dishwasher leaking out of corners
  3. Amana Dishwasher Leak

Community Discussions

leaking out of corners

Check door alignment and gasket condition.

DIY View on Reddit →

leaking from the area circled in the picture

The leak may be due to a bad seal on the heating element or a loose nut that holds it in place.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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