There are many possible causes for your washer’s bottom leakage, ranging from a clogged drain, a leak in the water line, and a clogged inlet valve screen to a torn door boot seal.
Let’s discuss more about the causes and how to fix them.
Why is My Frigidaire Washer Leaking from the Bottom?
Clogged Drain
One reason why your Frigidaire Washer leaks from the bottom is because of a blocked defrost drain. Food particles and debris can clog the Frigidaire and cause water to flow out of the drain. This happens when the defrost drain from your refrigerator and the drain system for your washer share a common pathway.
Once the refrigerator clogs, it causes water to accumulate in the compartment. When the water exceeds, the water flows and finds its way through the walls or flooring. If you have positioned your refrigerator above or near the Frigidaire washer, the water seeps down and affects your washer.
At this point, the water reaches the bottom of your washer and compromises its internal components, such as the motor, sensor, and electrical connections. The water exposure leads to malfunctions and leaks from the bottom of the washer.
Fix- Melt the Clog Top of Form
First, you have to find the defrost drain on your Frigidaire refrigerator. You will find it behind the interior rear panel near the evaporator coils. Unplug the defrost drain and remove all your items from the freezer.
Defrost the ice by flushing the drain tube with warm water. This will melt the clog. Once the ice has melted, clean the defrost drain with warm water and mild soap. To remove any remaining debris, use a small funnel to pour hot water into the drain.
Once you’ve cleared the frost and debris and replaced your defrost drain, your Frigidaire Washer should now work typically without leaking at the bottom.
Leak in the Water Line
Another primary reason your Frigidaire washer leaks from the bottom is a leak in the water line. Remember, the water line supplies water to your washing machine in different cycles. The water line connects to your washer through a hose.
So, if the hose gets damaged or its connection point leaks water. Some common causes of leaks include punctures, loose connections, and worn-out hoses. When water leaks from the water line, it pools at the bottom of the washer, and eventually, it leaks out.
Fix – Tighten the Water Line, Replace It
Start by unplugging your Frigidaire washer from the main electrical socket for safety. Pull the washer away from the wall and inspect the water supply lines connected to the back of the washer. Look for some invisible signs, such as puddles and spots, which may form the main leaking points. In case the water line appears loose, use a wrench to tighten it just right.
In case of puddles and spots, consider replacing the washer water line. After the replacement, switch the washer on and run a test cycle to confirm that the leaks have stopped.
Clogged Inlet Valve Screen
The inlet valve screen problem is another reason why your Frigidaire Washer is leaking water. The inlet valve screens act as the washer’s filter and prevent debris from entering the washer. When the inlet valve clogs because of mineral build-up and sediments from hard water, it restricts water flow into the washer.
This compromises the water supply, and your washer tries to compensate by overfilling and pressuring the system, leading to leaks at the bottom.
Worse off, the clogged filter causes an imbalance in water distribution within the washer, which leads to some parts receiving more water than others. In turn, this leads to excess pressure that strains the hose and connectors and eventually leads to leaks.
In fact, in such a scenario, you will notice that water does not drain properly from your washer in some cycles. Instead, it remains pooled in the drum and eventually leaks out from the bottom.
Fix- Clean the Inlet Valve Screens
Switch OFF your Washer from the main switch and turn OFF the water supply. Disconnect the hoses from the back of the washer. Ensure you place a cloth or rug under your washer because some water will spill on the floor when disconnecting the hoses.
Right at the inlet valves, inspect for any possibility of small screens or filters where the water hoses connect. Remove the screens from the inlet valve using a screwdriver or pliers. Rinse the screens under running water to remove all the debris and dirt. If it’s intense, use a brush and scrub away the stubborn deposits.
Once the screens are clean, reattach them to the inlet valve and reconnect the water hoses. Turn on the water and plug in the machine to the main electrical switch. Once it’s ON, run a few cycles and check if it will still leak. If the leakage does not stop, then it’s time to call a professional repairer to inspect other issues in the machine.
Faulty Dispenser Drawer
If the problem is not in the inlet valve screens, leaking water line, or clogged drain, then it could be caused by a faulty dispenser drawer. If you have an old washer, it may have worn out and become loose and unable to Close securely. When it is not correctly seated during a cycle, water, and detergent escape at the back, leading to leaks.
Additionally, it may also be clogged from detergent residues that accumulate in the dispenser drawer. The build-up blocks water flow, causing it to overflow and leak from the washer’s bottom.
Fix- Clean the Dispenser Drawer, Replace
If your dispenser drawer is old and worn out, it’s time to replace it. Furthermore, if clogs cause the issue, detach the dispenser, wash it with clean, warm water, and scrub it with a soft brush until all the detergent and softener are washed away. Fix the drawer back and run a short cycle on your machine to check if the leaks have stopped.
Faulty Transmission
Another possible cause of your Frigidaire washing machine leak is a faulty transmission. Note that the washer’s transmission shaft extends into the inner tub. A damaged transmission bearing or seal can cause tub leakage near the motor. It interferes with your washer’s ability to manage water levels. That means it can no longer regulate the flow of water into and out of your washer’s drum.
In this case, it will allow excessive water to flow into the drum that water you had actually commanded. This overwhelms the washer’s system and starts to leak from the bottom as it tries to keep a balance.
Alternatively, if you have been running your washer for some time with a damaged transmission, it might have affected the seal mechanism. So, the seals can no longer prevent water from escaping, which leads to leaks at the bottom. This occurs mainly in the spin cycle, where high-speed rotations force water past weak and damaged seals.
Fix- Replace Seals, Replace the Entire Transmission
Drain all water from your washer’s drum, then unplug it from the main electrical switch. Remove the washer’s front and rear panels to access the transmission unit. Check around the motor and the drum where it’s located and inspect it for any oil or water leaks. Also, check if it has caused any seal damage.
If the seals have worn out, you need to replace them with new ones. Moreover, if the transmission case has damages and cracks, consider replacing them too. Once you’ve replaced the seals and the case, oil the transmission.
If this doesn’t work, consider replacing the entire transmission system. At this point, you may need to return your washer to the manufacturer to do it for you and call a professional technician. This is because removing the transmission is complex and involves disconnecting various parts of your washer that you may need to become more familiar with. If your machine still has a warrant, then the better since the manufacturer will repair it for free.
After the replacement, your washer should now work efficiently without leaking at the bottom.
Torn Door Boot Seal
Lastly, the door boot seal could be the reason why your Frigidaire washer is leaking at the bottom. If you check between your drum and the door, you will see a rubber gasket. This rubber prevents water from leaking during a washing and rinsing cycle. It creates a watertight seal when the door is closed. When it tears and wears out, it allows water to escape and accumulate at the bottom of the washer.
Fix – Replace the Seal
If your washer’s door boot seal has worn out, you have to replace it with a new one. After getting the new seal, open your washer’s door and remove the old seal using a screwdriver. Peel the door boot seal from the drum and the front panel, clean the area with warm water and soap, and remove any debris.
Attach the new seal to the drum and ensure that you properly align it as per the manufacturer’s manual. Once you’ve replaced the seal, turn On Your washer and run a few cycles to inspect for leaks. At this point, your washer should work without any leaks since the door will now lock properly.
