Washing machine leaking? Where the water comes from and what to check before you flood your neighbour
A washing machine leak is usually something minor: a loose filter, a torn seal or a clogged drawer. The key is to quickly find where the water is coming from.
- Most common cause
- door seal, pump filter, detergent drawer
- Time
- 15–30 minutes
- Repair shop
- 100–320 zł
If the leak is large, turn off the water valve and unplug the washing machine straight away. Water and electricity are a dangerous mix.
Step by step
Notice when it leaks
While filling: usually the inlet hose or the drawer. While washing: the door seal. While draining and spinning: the pump filter, the pump or the drain hose.
Check the door seal
Fold back the seal and remove socks, hair and coins. Check whether the rubber is torn. Even a small tear lets water through.
Tighten the pump filter
Check that the filter is screwed in all the way and that its seal isn't damaged.
Clean the detergent drawer
Take out the drawer and wash it, along with the compartment it sits in. A clogged drawer overflows onto the front of the machine. Also don't use too much detergent.
Inspect the hoses
Check where the inlet hose connects to the tap and to the machine, and check the drain hose. Replace the washer in the hose nut if it drips.
Get rid of excess foam
Too much detergent, or washing-up liquid in the machine, makes foam that escapes through the drawer and the seal.
- Water leaks from under the machine and you can't tell where from.
- The leak is rust-coloured. It could be the bearing seal or a cracked tub.
- Water leaks every time the machine fills, even with the hoses tightened.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Replacing the door seal | 150–320 zł |
| Replacing the inlet / drain hose | 80–150 zł |
| Replacing the pump | 150–350 zł |
| Replacing the tub (cracked) | 400–900 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
The seal, hoses and pump are cheap repairs that almost always pay off. A cracked tub in an older washing machine usually doesn't.
Check if it's worth repairing your washing machine
Pick your model and fault. In 2 minutes we show the repair cost, what the device is worth and an honest verdict.
Open the calculator →FAQ
Will my home insurance cover flooding a neighbour?
Personal liability (OC w życiu prywatnym) insurance covers it, if you have it (it's often bundled with home insurance). Check your policy terms.
Is it worth installing an anti-flood valve?
Yes, especially in an apartment block. Hoses with an Aquastop system, or a flood sensor with a valve, cost from a few dozen to a few hundred złoty.
How do I look after the door seal?
Wipe it dry after washing and leave the door ajar. Once a month, clean residue and hair out of the fold.