The dehumidifier is a device that works with water. Therefore, leaking is an issue that is prone to happen in it.
If your dehumidifier is leaking, for example, from the bottom, you have come to the right place. This post summarizes 9 causes and solutions for a leaking dehumidifier.
You can troubleshoot these problems and get the device fixed on your own.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Cracked dehumidifier bucket
If you don’t choose to drain your machine through a hose, you need to empty the water bucket frequently.
When you remove and replace the bucket, it can cause tears and wear. In addition to that, the plastic begins to age over time. These will result in cracks and leakage.
You can disassemble the bucket, fill it with water, and leave it in the sink for a while to see if the water leaks out constantly. If yes, the best bet is to order a new replacement from the manufacturer.
2. The dehumidifier water bucket is not in place
Sometimes, you notice your dehumidifier starts to leak onto the floor just after replacing the bucket. There is a good chance that the bucket is misaligned.
When the bucket is not in place, the water from the drain pan will come out from the bottom.
To get it solved, you can unplug the machine, take out the bucket, and then slowly put the bucket back in after ensuring it is level.
3. Loose drainage hose connection
When the dehumidifier doesn’t drain through the hose properly and leaks out from the machine, it may occur due to the loose connection between the hose and drain port.
When the connection is not secure, a proportion of water will get into the bucket or other places in the device, leading to leaks.
Again, you need to first unplug the machine and take out the bucket. Once you find where the connection is, clean and tighten the fitting cap with a plier. If the water continues to leak, you may need to replace a new fitting cap.
4. Clogged hose
The dehumidifier water is not distilled. The impurities, like mold and bacteria, in the water can accumulate in the hose, forming build-ups and even green or red algae that impede the water flow.
When the hose is clogged, the water can’t drain properly, causing backflow and leakage in the device.
Usually, the high-pressure water can wash these build-ups away. Just disassemble the hose, connect it to any pressure washer, and then keep the washer running for 1 or 2 minutes. You will see a lot of debris come out from the hose.
Cleaning the inside of the hose on a regular basis can prevent this issue from happening again.
5. Wrong drain hose placement
How you will drain the dehumidifier decides how to place your dehumidifier. If your machine doesn’t work with a pump, it has to drain the water through the effect of gravity. That is, you have to make sure the water can flow downhill.
If the level of the hose is higher than that of the dehumidifier, the water can’t drain smoothly and will go back to the machine.
Elevating your dehumidifier or directing the hose to another floor drain that has a lower position can alleviate the condition.
6. Failed pump
For those who have a pump to help drain the water, things can go wrong as well. When the pump fails, it is not able to pull the water out of the machine, resulting in water leaking from the bottom.
Sometimes, it is just clogged. If there is something wrong with the electric components, you can unplug it and then clean it as per instructions. You may need to get a new replacement or even a new machine, depending on how much the pump is and if you need to hire a pro to repair the machine.
7. Frozen coil
If you have a compressor model, it is not uncommon to see it ice up at some point. Many issues can result in a dehumidifier freezing up, such as inadequate airflow and low room temperature.
When the coil is frozen, many models will activate the defrost mode, which will turn off the compressor and only leave the fan to continue to run. When the ice starts to thaw, the water will drip into the bucket and leak out the bottom if you don’t empty the bucket in time.
You should first identify the root cause and then take measures. In many cases, you can solve the problem by cleaning the air filter or the coils.
8. Damaged float switch
The float switch is a tiny component used to detect the bucket’s water level. When the bucket is full, the float switch will notify the machine and allow it to shut off automatically.
When the float switch is damaged or gets stuck, your dehumidifier will not stop collecting water, and the water will leak onto the floor.
To identify the issue, you have to take out the reservoir to see if the float switch is broken. You can try to fix it by rotating the switch. If it doesn’t work, you can contact the manufacturer.
9. Bent hose
When there are too many kinks in the hose, the water can’t drain in time, making it overflow in the bucket and leak out from the bottom.
You should look at your drain hose’s placement to check if there are any sharp turns. If this is the case, you should reposition the hose or cut off a part to eliminate these kinks.
In Conclusion
It is common to see a dehumidifier leaking from the bottom. You should first check the condition of your water bucket or drain hose. You can often get it fixed by repositioning the hose or bucket. However, you may sometimes need to replace the pump or float switch.
I am sure you can troubleshoot a leaking dehumidifier by following the checklist in this post.
