Why is Water Coming Out of the Dishwasher Vent (3 Reasons Why)

Originally Created on: September 3, 2022 @ 11:20 am

You walk into the kitchen and notice water flowing out of the dishwasher vent, which you don’t remember ever happening before. You shrug it off as an isolated incident, but when it happens again and again, you know that something must be wrong with your appliance.

Why is water coming out of the dishwasher vent? Fortunately, dishwashers are pretty simple machines, so diagnosing their problems shouldn’t be too tough if you follow the troubleshooting steps below.

In this article, we’ll be diving deeper into this particular topic in detail to help you better understand what could be causing a linkage from your dishwasher vent as well as possible solutions to take.

Let’s get straight to it!

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Why Is Water Coming Out of the Dishwasher Vent? 

Dishwashers are one of the most convenient appliances in a home. They can clean a large number of dishes at once, and they’re relatively low-maintenance. However, if you notice water coming out of your dishwasher vent, there may be a problem with your appliance.

Here are some causes of this issue:

Clogged Drain Hose

A clogged drain hose is often the cause of water leaking from the dishwasher vent. Over time, food particles and oils can build up inside the drain hose and cause it to become blocked. This will prevent any water from draining properly, which means it will leak out into your cabinet instead. 

The only way to fix this is by cleaning out the drain hose with an auger or similar tool, then using vinegar or baking soda to clear out any remaining debris that may be stuck inside.

Damaged Pump

If your dishwasher leaks from its venting system but there is no clog in the drain hose or other plumbing condition causing this issue, then it could be due to a damaged pump inside your appliance. 

You’ll need to call a professional for help with this problem since replacing the pump isn’t something most homeowners can do on their own.

Leaking Door Seal or Gasket

 If your dishwasher is leaking water, the cause may be a leaking door seal or gasket.

A leaking door seal or gasket is usually caused by wear and tear over time or by improper installation. The seal will eventually break down and allow water to leak out of the dishwasher.

This can be a very difficult problem to solve because it’s hard to determine where the leak is coming from. You’ll need to remove the front panel of your machine and check all around for any signs of water leaks. If you find one, you’ll need to replace that part of the door seal assembly.

If you don’t want to replace the entire assembly, you can try replacing just the rubber gasket that goes between the inner and outer door shells. This should solve most leak problems caused by worn-out rubber gaskets, but if not, then you’ll need to replace both parts together as a set.

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Is it Normal for Water to Come Out of the Dishwasher Air Gap?

The dishwasher air gap is a small device that sits in the sink and allows water to drain out. It’s very common for water to come out of this device, but there are some situations where you might want to call a plumber.

If your dishwasher has an air gap, you may notice water coming out of it when the dishwasher is finished running. This happens because the air gap helps prevent sewer gas from getting into your home and causing health problems.

When you run your dishwasher, the water doesn’t all go down the drain — some of it goes into a pipe connected to the air gap. The pipe connects at one end to your sink’s drainpipe, and at the other end, there’s often a vent pipe that connects to your roof or exterior wall. The air gap acts as an extra layer between these two pipes. This prevents sewer gas from entering your home through them.

You may also notice that sometimes water comes out of another pipe on top of the dishwasher called an overflow tube (or overflow hose). This tube runs through the back of your dishwasher and drains into a container attached underneath.

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How Do you Fix a Leaky Dishwasher Vent?

A leaky dishwasher vent is often the result of a clog in the hose or drain. If your dishwasher won’t drain, it’s not unusual for it to back up and start leaking from the bottom. Fixing this problem can be as simple as cleaning out the hose or replacing it, but you may need to replace the seal on the bottom of your dishwasher if it’s damaged.

First, check for debris in your dishwasher’s drain hose. You can use a pair of pliers or tongs to grab any large pieces of food that may have gotten caught in there, then run water through the hose until it flows freely.

If you have flexible hoses running from your kitchen sink faucet to your garbage disposal unit and they’re leaking, try replacing them with new hoses that are specifically designed for use with garbage disposals.

Next, check for cracks or holes in either the drain pipe itself or in any pipes connected to it. If you find cracks or holes, contact a plumber right away — these problems could cause serious damage if left untreated

If you’re still having trouble after trying these solutions, then get help from an experienced plumbing technician.

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Verdict

If you’ve discovered that water is coming out of your dishwasher’s steam vent when it isn’t running, you may be surprised and also concerned. After all, there are a few things in our kitchens that we wouldn’t want to be without—our dishwashers, our stoves, and the sink. 

When something stops working properly, it can cause our daily lives to get disrupted, even if it’s just for a little while. But don’t worry: there is an explanation for this phenomenon and it’s not at all as destructive as you might suspect.