Literally millions of homeowners across the county rely on their dishwashers to keep kitchen utensils, dishes, and pots and pans sparkling clean. What could be easier? Load the machine, add some soap, push a button, and viola, the machine runs through a cycle, rinses, dries and out comes the finished product ready to be stored before being used for the next meal. While this modern convenience is designed to keep us out of the kitchen and one that we often take for granted, it can become a burden when it comes to coping with unexpected water leaks. According to the knowledgeable experts at Southwest Appliance Repair of San Antonio, water damage caused by your dishwasher can happen within a few hours of turning on your appliance. Consider this scenario, you finish dinner, load your dishwasher and sit down to watch your favorite TV show only to walk in the kitchen an hour or so later to be greeted by a pool of water sitting on your kitchen floor.
What to Do When Dishwasher is Leaking
Your first priority is to soak up as much of the water as possible, the longer the water sits, the more chances there are that the water will result in permanent damage. The type of flooring in your kitchen is a good indication to the type of damage that you can expect. Wood for example is porous which means it will absorb the water and cause the floor to bend and warp. Dry the area as quickly as possible to minimize damage.
What Causes a Dishwasher to Leak?
A leaking dishwasher can be the result of a number of issues including:
• Your dishwasher door is broken
• Your gaskets are worn out
• Your dishwasher is not level
• Your dishwasher tub is defective
• You used the wrong dishwashing soap
Water leaks from your dishwasher can cause damage to a variety of surfaces and elements in your kitchen including surface damage to tile, wood, and laminate, damage to your electrical wiring and drywall, and depending on the extent of water damage, your paint and wallpapered surfaces.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage from Leaky Dishwasher?
You may be surprised to learn that the answer to this question depends on the cause of the dishwasher leak. For example your insurance company will determine if the leak was caused by a malfunction or neglect. If your dishwasher is new and has shown no signs of damage or wear, your insurance carrier may cover the water damage caused by the leak. On the other hand if your dishwasher is older, has had issues in the past and has not been property serviced and maintained, your insurance adjuster may rule that the resulting water damage is due to neglect and the damage will not be covered. Take the time to review the warranty that arrived with your dishwasher to check which components are covered and if it provides for any water damage caused by a leak.
How to Prevent Water Damage from Dishwasher
If you notice water around your dishwasher, even a small amount, the first thing you should do is turn off your dishwasher before removing as much of the water on the floor as possible. Pull the dishwasher away from the wall and soak up any water that is under the dishwasher to avoid the likelihood of mold and mildew before contacting your Southwest Appliance Repair of San Antonio repair expert for a comprehensive inspection and repair of your leaking dishwasher.
APPLIANCE REPAIR IN CEDAR PARK, AUSTIN, ROUND ROCK, GEORGETOWN, FRISCO, ALLEN PLANO, DALLAS & SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
To learn more about dishwasher inspection, repair, maintenance and new installations for your San Antonio, Texas home, contact the knowledgeable experts at Southwest Appliance Repair of San Antonio today.
