Washing machine leaking? Here’s what it usually means
Guidance last checked on .
Where the water appears tells you most of the story: front and door — seal or detergent drawer; underneath during fill — supply hose or valve; underneath during drain — pump, sump hose or a blocked filter; behind the machine — the standpipe or waste connection. Stop using it and turn off its water valve until you know which — or the main stopcock, if the valve is seized or you can't get behind the machine.
Washing machine leaking: the questions people ask
Door seal (front leaks)
The rubber gasket perishes, or trapped debris (a stray hair grip is a classic) cuts it. Visible splits or black mould embedded in the fold usually mean replacement — a routine repair.
Blocked filter or sump (drain-cycle leaks)
The pump filter behind the little front hatch catches coins and lint; when clogged, water finds other ways out. Cleaning it is a 10-minute DIY job — with towels ready.
Supply hoses and valves (fill leaks)
Hose washers harden with age; connections work loose with vibration. If the hose itself bulges, replace it before it bursts — a burst supply hose can flood a kitchen in minutes.
Detergent drawer overflow
Blocked drawer jets or too much powder make water back out of the drawer front. Clean the drawer and housing; use less detergent than you think you need.
What not to do
- Don't run another cycle 'to check' — water under a machine finds floorboards and the ceiling below
- Don't reach for the plug or the wall switch once water has got near the socket — wet hands on a live switch is how a leak becomes a shock. Kill that circuit at the consumer unit first, then deal with the water
- Don't drag the machine out over a wet floor on your own — they're heavier than they look
When to request help
After you've cleaned the filter and checked the hose connections: if it still leaks, or the leak involves the door seal or underneath during wash, book an appliance engineer. Same-day if you can't isolate the water supply.
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Related questions
Is a leaking machine worth repairing?
General guidance, not a substitute for an on-site professional assessment — and never for the gas emergency line (0800 111 999) if you smell gas.