Washing machine leaking from underneath: what to check first

Do this first: shut it off and close the valves

A washer is connected to the house water supply all the time, not only during a cycle. If a fill hose is split, it can keep running until you close the valve. Whirlpool says to turn the washer off at its controls, unplug the power cord and check that the water valves on the wall are switched off before you begin. ^[1]

1. Check for electricity first. If water is near outlets, cords or the panel, do not enter the water. Turn power off at the panel only if you can reach it from a dry spot; otherwise call the utility or an electrician. CDC says never to turn power on or off yourself while standing in water. ^[2]
2. Stop the cycle and unplug the washer once you can reach the plug from a dry spot. ^[1]
3. Close both the hot and cold valves behind the washer. If one will not turn or water keeps coming, close the main water valve for the house.
4. Soak up the water with towels, a mop or a wet/dry vacuum. Move laundry baskets, rugs and boxes out of the wet area.
5. If the laundry is on an upper floor, check the ceiling below. Stay out from under any ceiling that sags.
6. Take photos and video of the washer, the hoses and the damage before you clean up. The Texas Department of Insurance says to take pictures before repairs and to keep damaged items until your adjuster has seen them. ^[3]

Find where the water is coming from

Do not trust where the puddle is. GE says floors can be uneven, so a leak at the rear of the washer may show up at the front, or the reverse. ^[4] Dry the floor, pull the washer a few inches from the wall, open the valves and run a short cycle while you watch with a flashlight. GE suggests moving it a few inches from the wall to hand-tighten the hose connections if you suspect the back. ^[5]

Table sources: GE's washer leak pages ^{[4] [6] [5]} and Whirlpool's leak guide. ^[1] The next step column is a practical guide.

Hoses: the most common source, and the easiest to fix

Each washer has two fill hoses, hot and cold, and a drain hose. GE says rear leaks are often due to loose or damaged hoses: hand-tighten loose connections and replace any hose with cracks or tears. ^[6] Whirlpool says to also check the rubber washers inside the hose ends to make sure they are in place and not damaged or missing, and to look for corrosion, cracks or holes. ^[1]

1. With both valves closed, unscrew each fill hose at the wall and at the washer.
2. Look inside each end for the flat rubber washer. GE says that without these washers, water will leak from the fill hoses at the faucet, and that a hose still leaking when hand-tight may have a missing or damaged washer or a damaged hose. ^[4]
3. Run your hand along each hose for cracks, bulges, corrosion or soft spots.
4. Reattach the hoses hand-tight, then open the valves slowly and check every connection for drips.
5. Check the drain hose. GE says it must be secured and fully inserted into the drainpipe, and the installation guide for one GE model (PTW705) says no more than 5 inches of hose should go into the drain pipe, with an air gap around it to prevent siphoning. ^{[4] [7]} Check your own washer's guide for its limit.
6. Make sure the drain hose is not kinked or clogged, since Whirlpool says a blocked hose can back up the flow. ^[1]

How often to replace hoses. Makers differ slightly. GE's installation guide for one washer model (PTW705) says hoses degrade over time and need to be replaced every 5 years to reduce the risk of hose failures and water damage. ^[7] GE's general leak page says the fill hose screens and washers should be changed about every 5 years. ^[4] Whirlpool says to consider replacing them every three to five years, whether rubber or metal, and to watch for cracks, corrosion or damage. ^[1] Write the date on a new hose with a marker so you know when it is due.

Pump, filter and seals: what you can do and what needs a technician

Whirlpool says a puddle under the washer could come from damage to the water pump, a cracked or loose drain pipe near the pump, or a faulty tub seal, and that these parts are inside the machine and may require repairs from a professional technician. ^[1] GE says a bottom leak on a top loader could suggest an issue with the water pump, while on a front loader it is more likely a worn drum seal. ^[5]

• Drain pump filter (front loaders). Whirlpool says a dirty or clogged drain pump filter can cause leaking during the drain cycle, and to clean out lint, debris and leftover water. ^[1] Expect water to come out when you open it, so set down towels and a shallow pan first. Whirlpool's all-in-one washer dryer page also lists cleaning this filter and checking the inlet hose ends as the first checks for a leak from underneath. ^[10]
• Suds and overloading. GE says too much detergent and overloading can cause leaks on a top loader. ^[6] Whirlpool says excess suds can clog the overflow tube, and that a water softener or HE detergent may mean you need less. ^[1]
• Door seal. GE says a front leak on a front loader is often a damaged or dirty door seal, that a cracked or loose seal must be replaced, and that objects left in pockets can damage it. ^[6]
• Technician: a pump or tub seal leak, a washer that overflows while filling, which GE ties to the water valve or pressure switch, and oil on the floor, which GE says means a transmission problem and to stop using the washer. ^[6]
• Water dripping into the tub when the washer is off. Whirlpool says this points to the inlet valve on the back of the machine. ^[1]

What kind of water it is, and drying what got wet

Where the water came from decides how to clean it up. UC Riverside's water categories list appliance malfunctions involving domestic water supply lines, such as a split fill hose, as Category 1, clean water. ^[8] Water that has been through the wash is Category 2: UC Riverside lists discharge from washing machines as water with significant contamination that can cause discomfort or sickness. ^[8] Massachusetts guidance does the same for washing machine overflow. ^[11] UC Riverside adds that gray water left untreated for more than 48 hours may become Category 3. ^[8]

• Hard floors: EPA's water damage table, written for clean water damage in schools and commercial buildings, says to vacuum or damp wipe vinyl, linoleum and tile with water and mild detergent, let it dry and check that the underflooring is dry. ^[12]
• Carpet: EPA says to dry carpet and backing within 24 to 48 hours with a water extraction vacuum, a dehumidifier and fans, and that the subfloor under it must also be cleaned and dried. ^[12] The guide to mold under carpet after water damage covers what to check if it stayed wet.
• Drywall: EPA says wallboard may be dried in place if there is no obvious swelling and the seams are intact; if not, remove and replace it. ^[12] Massachusetts guidance for clean water damage says to cut out wallboard that has not dried within 48 hours. ^[11]
• Fans: EPA's table says that if the water is contaminated with sewage or chemical or biological pollutants, do not use fans before determining that the water is clean or sanitary, which matters with drain water. ^[12]
• Timing: EPA says that if wet materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours of a leak, in most cases mold will not grow. ^[13]

Repair and cleanup costs

Angi's washing machine repair cost guide, updated September 29, 2026, puts the national average repair at $180 to $250, with a typical project around $220. Its 2026 table lists pump replacement at $150 to $400, a water inlet valve at $120 to $250, a door seal at $120 to $500, and hoses, an agitator or a lid switch at $75 to $200. ^[14] Angi says the washer type, the failed part and local labor rates drive the bill. ^[14]

Drying the room is separate. HomeAdvisor's June 2026 cost guide puts the average water damage restoration job at $3,868 and prices drying by category: about $3.50 per square foot for clean water and about $5.25 for Category 2. ^[15] The water damage restoration cost guide covers what drives that figure. If the leak came from a dishwasher instead, the dishwasher leak guide covers it.

Will insurance cover a washing machine leak?

A sudden break is often covered; a slow drip often is not. The Texas Department of Insurance names a broken washer hose as an example of the sudden and accidental water damage most homeowner and renters policies cover, and says policies usually will not cover damage from gradual leaks. ^[3] Washington's insurance commissioner lists a broken washing machine as an accidental leak insurance usually covers if you report it quickly and follow the insurer's recommendations. ^[16]

The washer itself is usually a separate matter. A sample HO-3 policy form (ISO HO 00 03 10 00) posted by the Insurance Information Institute covers damage to the house from water that accidentally escapes from a household appliance, but says it does not cover loss to the system or appliance from which this water or steam escaped. ^[17] NerdWallet's June 2026 guide adds that failure due to normal wear and tear or lack of maintenance typically is not covered. ^[18] If the water came from a backed-up house drain instead, NerdWallet says backed-up drains and sewer lines probably are not covered unless you added water backup coverage. ^[18] A sample form is not your policy, so check your own, and keep the failed hose for the adjuster. ^[3]

Common questions