Household appliances are connected to supply lines that are under pressure all the time. When a hose or fitting fails, water can run until someone notices, which is why appliance leaks often turn up as warped floors or a musty smell rather than a puddle.
What appliance water damage involves
Appliance water damage cleanup focuses on the areas around and under the appliance: cabinet bases, subflooring, and adjacent walls. Kitchens are the tricky part because water runs under cabinets and toe kicks where it's hard to see and hard to dry.
Common causes
- Washing machine supply hoses
- Rubber hoses can crack or burst with age. Braided stainless hoses are often recommended as replacements.
- Washer drain problems
- A dislodged drain hose or clogged standpipe can overflow during the drain cycle. This is gray water.
- Dishwasher
- Failed door gaskets, supply lines, or drain connections under the sink.
- Refrigerator ice maker and water dispenser lines
- Thin plastic or copper lines can crack or loosen, especially after the refrigerator is moved.
- HVAC condensate
- Clogged condensate lines can overflow, especially during heavy summer air-conditioning use.
What to do right now
- Turn off the appliance's supply valve (behind the washer, under the sink, or behind the refrigerator). If you can't, shut off the main.
- Unplug the appliance only if you can do so without standing in water; otherwise turn off its breaker.
- Pull the appliance out if it's safe, to see how far water spread.
- Remove standing water and open cabinet doors to help air reach wet areas.
- Photograph the failed part; it may matter for a warranty or claim.
What to avoid
- Don't run the appliance again until the failed part is repaired.
- Don't assume cabinets are fine because the floor dried. Check the toe kicks and cabinet bottoms.
- Don't forget the room below if the appliance is on an upper floor.
Hidden damage under kitchen cabinets
Water from a dishwasher or refrigerator often flows under base cabinets, where the flooring may not extend, and soaks particleboard cabinet bottoms and the subfloor. Providers sometimes remove toe kicks or drill small holes to dry these areas. If cabinet bases have swollen, they may need replacement.
Prevention that's worth doing
- Replace old rubber washing machine hoses.
- Leave a few inches of space behind the washer so hoses don't kink.
- Consider water leak sensors near the washer, water heater, and under sinks.
- Check under the kitchen sink occasionally for drips at dishwasher connections.
- Have HVAC condensate lines checked during routine service.
Damage it can cause
- Swollen particleboard cabinet bases
- Cupped or buckled hardwood and laminate
- Wet subfloor under vinyl or tile
- Stains on ceilings below upper-floor laundry rooms
When professional help may be appropriate
- Water ran under cabinets or flooring
- The leak went on for hours or an unknown time
- There's a musty odor
- Ceilings below the appliance are stained
If any of these apply, it may be time to talk to a provider.
Request HelpQuestions to ask a provider
- How will you dry under the cabinets without tearing them out?
- Can you tell whether my flooring can be dried or needs replacement?
- Is washer drain water treated differently from supply-line water?
Providers you reach through this site are independent. Verify licensing, insurance, and pricing directly with them before authorizing work.
Appliance Water Damage: common questions
Can a leaking dishwasher damage my floor?
Yes. Water can run under the dishwasher and cabinets into the subfloor. Swelling or soft spots near the dishwasher are signs of ongoing leaks.
Is water from a washing machine clean?
Supply-line water is clean, but drain water from a washer is usually considered gray water because it contains detergent and soil.