How to Fix a Leaky GE Dishwasher

Dishwasher Maintenance Tips

• Detergent Problems. The wrong kind of soap or too much of the right kind of detergent can cause over-sudsing. Those extra bubbles may not seem like a big deal, but they can actually lead to water seeping through the edges of your dishwasher door. Fortunately, solving your detergent problem only requires a peek into the owner’s manual. Inside you’ll find what detergent is compatible with your dishwasher and how much soap is acceptable.
• Check the Hinges. After years of opening and closing your dishwasher door, the screws securing the hinges can loosen or even fall out. When that occurs, the door may not seal properly, meaning water can escape the tub and end-up on the floor around your appliance. If you believe a loose or missing screw is behind your dishwasher leaking, simply inspect the hinges and tighten or replace the screws in question.
• Wipe Down the Gasket. As loads of dirty dishes pass through your dishwasher, the gasket, which prevents water from seeping out of your appliance, is bound to get a bit grimy. Before assuming your dishwasher’s leak is caused by something more serious, inspect the gasket and wipe it down with warm water and soap. During your examination, you should also look for tears in the rubber seal. If you find any, you’ll need to replace the gasket, which you can learn how to do below.

Dishwasher Repair Tips

How to Replace the Gasket in Your GE Dishwasher

1. Open your dishwasher door and locate the gasket, which runs along the dishwasher’s door frame. Insert a flat head screwdriver underneath a small section of the gasket and pry it off the frame. Once part of the gasket is free, use your hand to lift the rest of the rubber seal off the dishwasher frame.
2. Before installing your new gasket, wipe down the door frame with warm water and soap. Once the area is dry, start the installation process by pushing the gasket into the channel underneath the dishwasher’s door latch. Continue inserting the rest of gasket into the channel along the door frame. After the entire gasket is situated, run your hand along the rubber seal one more time to ensure it is secure.
3. Now that the gasket is installed, close your dishwasher door and plug-in your appliance. To test the new gasket, run a wash cycle and pay close attention to the seam around the door. If there is no water leaking out, the repair solved the problem.

How to Replace the Upper Spray Arm in Your GE Dishwasher

1. Open your dishwasher door and take out the upper dish rack. Using a nut driver, unthread the screw securing the spray arm to the tub ceiling. Remove the spray arm from your dishwasher, and separate the screw and spacer from the damaged component.
2. Insert the screw and spacer you took off the old spray arm into the opening in the new spray arm. With your nut driver, attach the spray arm to the dishwasher ceiling. Once the spray arm is secure, rotate it to ensure it spins freely.
3. When the installation process is finished, replace the top dish rack, and close your dishwasher door.
4. To test out your repair, plug your appliance back in and turn on its water supply. Then, fill your dishwasher with dirty dishes and hit the start button.

How to Replace the Drain Hose in Your GE Dishwasher

1. Start by disconnecting the drain hose from the sink drain and fill line from the water valve under your sink. Once both are free, open your dishwasher door and unthread the mounting screws securing the appliance to your cabinet. Next, carefully slide your dishwasher forward until it is no longer underneath your kitchen counter.
2. Move to the back of your dishwasher, and locate the drain hose, which you should find at the bottom of your appliance. Loosen the clamp securing the drain hose to the dishwasher. Then, pull the hose off the check valve. Before throwing out the old drain hose, make sure you remove the clamps from each end of it.
3. Slide the clamps from the old hose onto the new drain hose. Push the drain hose onto the check valve and tighten the clamp to hold it in place.
4. With one end of the hose attached to the rear of your dishwasher, push the other end back into the hole leading to the sink drain. Before connecting the drain hose to the air gap, slide your dishwasher underneath your kitchen counter and secure it with the mounting screws you removed earlier.
5. Go underneath your kitchen sink, and attach the drain hose to the air gap. Tighten the clamp around the hose to secure the connection and ensure no leaks occur. To finish off your repair reattach the fill line.
6. Now that your new drain hose is installed, plug your appliance back in and turn the water supply on. Run a wash cycle to make sure your dishwasher is no longer leaking.