Appliance leaks

Appliances are among the most common sources of indoor water damage, and many leak slowly where nobody sees: under a dishwasher, behind a refrigerator, inside a laundry closet.

By appliance

Prevention checklist

• Replace washer hoses on the manufacturer's schedule.
• Leave space behind the washer so hoses do not kink.
• Look under the sink and around the dishwasher kick plate monthly.
• Check behind the refrigerator when you clean.
• Consider leak sensors with phone alerts near each appliance.

When you find a leak

1. Close the appliance valve or the main.
2. Unplug the appliance if you can reach the plug from a dry spot.
3. Photograph and keep the failed part.
4. Check under cabinets and along the floor next to the appliance. Water often travels further than it looks.

Kitchen cabinets and floors

Particleboard cabinet bases swell and rarely recover. Hardwood and laminate near a dishwasher can cup. See hardwood and finishes.

Water heaters deserve extra attention

California Health and Safety Code 19211 requires all residential water heaters to be braced, anchored or strapped against earthquake motion, at minimum per the California Plumbing Code. State guidelines for typical installations call for at least two sets of straps, and recommend flexible connectors for water, gas and electrical lines. A properly strapped heater is less likely to tip and tear its connections, which is one of the worst-case water and gas scenarios after a quake.

Signs your water heater is near the end

• Rust-colored water from hot taps.
• Rumbling or popping from sediment.
• Moisture or rust at the base.
• Drips from the relief valve discharge pipe.

A drain pan with a line to the outside or a drain, plus a leak sensor, limits damage when a tank fails.

Washer leaks

Washing machine fill hoses sit under pressure whenever the valves are open. Rubber hoses age and can split; braided stainless hoses last longer but still wear at the crimped ends. Many owners turn the valves off between loads or install an automatic shutoff. The drain hose can also slip out of the standpipe during a cycle and flood the laundry area, so make sure it is secured. Watch the floor around the machine for dampness after each load for a few weeks after any move or repair.

Dishwasher leaks

Dishwasher leaks are often slow and hidden. The supply line and drain connection sit under the sink and behind the kick plate. Look for swelling at the bottom of adjacent cabinets, a soft spot in the floor in front of the machine, or a musty smell when the door opens. Remove the kick plate occasionally with a flashlight to check. Hardwood and laminate next to a dishwasher are often the first casualty.

Refrigerator ice makers

The thin supply line to an ice maker or water dispenser can crack or come loose when the refrigerator is moved. Water then runs under the refrigerator and into flooring and cabinets. When you slide the fridge out for cleaning, check the line and the valve, and avoid kinking it on the way back.

Who pays for appliance leaks?

Many homeowners policies cover sudden discharge from an appliance but exclude repair of the appliance itself and damage from long-term leaking. Report promptly and keep the failed hose or part. In condos, interior appliances are typically the owner's responsibility, but check your CC&Rs.

Leak sensors

Small battery or Wi-Fi sensors placed under sinks, beside the water heater and behind the washer and fridge can alert you early. Some connect to automatic shutoff valves on the main line. They are inexpensive compared with even a small drying job.

Water heater straps

California Health and Safety Code 19211 requires all new, replacement and existing residential water heaters to be braced, anchored or strapped against earthquake motion, following the California Plumbing Code. When a heater is replaced after a leak, check that the new one is strapped.

Sources, accessed Oct 16 to 17, 2026: EPA WaterSense: Fix a Leak Week · EPA: A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home · California Health and Safety Code 19211 (water heater bracing) · Seismic Safety Commission: HSC 19210-19217 text (PDF) · DSA guidelines for earthquake bracing of water heaters (PDF) · California Department of Insurance: Residential insurance guides