New kitchen floor is oak planks with 3 coats of poly. I’m thinking about putting tar paper under the dishwasher and folding the seams up against the adjoining cabinets so if there is a leak it will leak out the front under the toe kick and I’ll find it before it causes too much damage.
Another thought was to put tar paper or a membrane and then drill a weep hole (leading to the basement) so any leaks will exit there.
Can anyone offer a reason why this might be a bad idea? I’ve never had a dishwasher leak before so I understand I’m being paranoid but I did have a trap leak in a powder room with hardwood floors and we found the leak after noticing the planks buckled a little.
Any insight would be appreciated.
-Jonathan
Edited 5/2/2006 1:19 pm ET by Mojo
Replies
An old contractor always had us put down a scrap of vinyl flooring, rolled up the back and side walls, caulked at the corners. The dishwasher will side in and out easily on the vinyl which will last longer than the dishwasher. Any leak will come out to the front.
Edited 5/2/2006 1:12 pm by sawduster
The most common leak by far is through the door gasket, and that's usually obvious. Leaks other places are rare.
I had a Kitchenaid dishwasher leak in a couple of different places, PLUS the door gasket. Made a mess of the floor and cabinet toekicks. Putting membrane or vinyl under the DW is a good idea.
I have fixed one dishwasher leak. There was an air gap in the water supply. A mouse got in to the gap and died.Really digusting.Kept the water out of the dishwasher really well.Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.
I've seen many dishwashers leak. fittings, hoses, etc. The last one, a rat ate through the drain hose and when the machine went to pump the water out, it came out in a big way. I've also seen them leak where they connect to the garbage disposal.
Grunge on. http://grungefm.com
Tar paper is water/vapor permeable to some degree, I suggest you opt for something more impervious. Do they make plastic dishwasher pans like they make for washing machines?
My leak was in a weird external anti siphon dealy-bob on the side of the machine. It became messed up with lime deposits.
I know other people have their float controls get frozen and the water then comes out the from.
I suppose you could also have a leak at teh water line hook-up, but that would be rare.
A long the same lines. You hear all the time about rubber hoses failing in the hook up of washing macines.
Oh, the nightmare thought about that happening while away on vacation.
What could a guy do as to a floor drain in the floor under a washing machine?
I am think retro fit situations, and I would rather not plumb it to the drain system which would require one of those wet drain dealies.
Here is an interesting product that might be a supplement, or an alternative. I get my cabinets from Scherrs, and this is shown on their site (http://www.scherrs.com)
$ 37.55
It is a dimpled membrane that can hold up to 6 gallons of water before it spills over, typically placed on the bottom floor of a sink cabinet.
Gene, that super absorbant stuff is really neat, but when it comes to a leak, I'd rather have early warning rather than super absorbant. jt8
"The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views a mistake..."-- Nelson Boswell
I might figure a way to use it, but install it so it can fill to about 75 percent capacity, then overflow right out front where I could see it.
That would give me a not-so-early warning, but a warning nonetheless, and some protection.
If you have some spare time, you might want to look into some kind of electronic leak alarm. Heck, I might start Googling for it right after I send this post.
Such an alarm could be mounted in the sinkbase cab of the kitchen, and have two sensors, one in a pan under the sink and disposal, and the other under the dishwasher.
I have lived in a dozen-or-so houses over the last 35 years, and have never experienced a leaky dishwasher, but I have had a couple minor leaks from the plumbing under the adjacent kitchen sinks.
have lived in a dozen-or-so houses over the last 35 years, and have never experienced a leaky dishwasher, but I have had a couple minor leaks from the plumbing under the adjacent kitchen sinks.
Knock on wood... that is the same situation I've been in so far (not as many houses though). But I figure if it has a water connection, then it can leak. So if I can design in something that will minimize the damage without adding much to the cost, then I'm all for it.
jt8
"The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views a mistake..."-- Nelson Boswell
I have had a dishwasher leak and it was not fun. I did not know about the leak for days until I felt a wet spot in hte carpet some five feet away in the family room.
I was very concerned about mold growing under the wet cabinets. I drilled some holes throw the toe kick and used a hair drier to dry it out for several days.
At any rate. I have always thought that if I were to build new I would use a piece of scrap vinyl flooring to do as you say and wrap it up the back and sides of the cabinets.
A drain hole into an unfinished basement is an interesting idea. however, people do tend to finish basements at some point which could be a problem.
This part of the basement is a short basement (5') with a slab sloped to drain. Another poster suggested Ice and Water shield which is a good idea too.
Thanks for the feedback.
All I am hearing is horror stories of leaks, and the patches to help mitigate the damage.
Let's stop this band-aid stuff and get down to work! Here is a site selling leak sensor and alarm gear, plus systems for immediate shutoff of supply water. I'll bet there are plenty more.
http://www.smarthome.com/prodindex.asp?catid=154
If your middle name is "worst case scenario," and most of you posters here must have that middle name, you need some real protection!
Turn the dishwasher on and leave to go to the movies? No problem! On vacation in Costa Rica and your heat goes off and your whole place freezes solid, then thaws? Forgeddaboudit! Washing machine spouts old faithful while you're napping on the sofa upstairs? So what!
You're covered!
Nice, that's been in the back of my mind for awhile. I wonder if the home insurance would kickback some $ for this.
splat
Hey, Splat, you can do a system for yourself, then start a biz doing it for others.
Don't use your screen name in that new business, however!
Or maybe yes. Howz Splat? Not! sound?
That is why you turn the water off to the house when on vacation.
I think you are being a bit proud of yourself, elevating yourself above others by decrying everyone as worst casers. Well, pat yourself on the back, no one else will.
I don't think anyone is being crazy here. What is so difficult or over teh top about lapping alittle vinyl up the sides under a dishwasher?
Hey, DoRight, gimme a break! Where is your sense of humor? Couldn't you tell I was funnin' everyone?
Round here where I live, with temps as low as 45 below in the winter, and weekend homes everywhere, lotsa folks turn off the main when they go back down home and leave the place, but that won't do if your power fails and the whole houseful of undrained plumbing freezes solid. You gotta drain as well.
But since many of the places didn't get consideration for total system drainage when built, some have alarms that feed data to ACT or someone like them, who know how to reach the caretaker.
Very true. If you leave a house for the winter, even if you leave teh heat on at say 45 degrees, things can freeze. YOU better put anti-freeze in teh traps.
But teh point is, everything is incremental.
The safest option is NO INDOOR PLUMBING. never a leak, never a broken pipe.
Teh next best is to turn the water off everytime you leave teh house for work or vaction and to protect teh drains.
The next . . .
At any rate, a little protection under a dishwasher can't hurt.
Just more stuff that can break.
jt8
"The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views a mistake..."-- Nelson Boswell
I like your idea, and I have had a dishwasher leak out the bottom. Made a mess of the adjacent cabinets, underlayment and even the joists below. It was a slow leak, so it took a long time before it was detected, and the ants nested in there.
How about some ice and water shield?
Tack down a couple scraps of wood to the floor on either side to direct water outwards, then put the ice & water shield over it.
Run membrane up the back wall a few inches.
Ok, I know the package says it's for outdoor use only, but I doubt there is any significant harmful outgassing or whatever.
I&W shield will stay put, and may even absorb some noise/vibration.
Alternately you could use a bit of rubber roof.
Edited 5/3/2006 12:37 pm ET by Snowmon