How to Fix Damage from a Dishwasher Leak Beneath the Floor

At Total Home Water Restoration, we’ve seen our fair share of dishwasher leaks. What most homeowners don’t realize is that these leaks often go unnoticed until serious damage has already occurred—especially when the water seeps beneath your flooring.

Here’s what to look for and what to do if you suspect (or know) there’s a dishwasher leak under your kitchen floor.

Signs of a Hidden Leak

Dishwasher leaks can be sneaky. You might not see water pooling on the floor, but you could notice:

• Warped or buckled wood flooring

• Soft or spongy spots under vinyl or laminate

• A musty smell near your kitchen cabinets

• Discoloration or bubbling along the baseboards

• An increase in your water bill

Any of these signs could mean water has been slowly leaking under the floor—potentially damaging your subfloor, cabinets, or even causing mold growth.

Step-by-Step: What to Do

1. Shut Off the Water

If you see active leaking, turn off the dishwasher and the water supply line right away. This helps prevent further damage.

2. Get the Area Inspected

It’s important to determine the extent of the damage. At our Grove City office, we use moisture meters and thermal imaging to see how far the water has spread under the floor. This guides your next steps.

3. Remove Wet Flooring

Depending on the type of floor you have (laminate, vinyl, hardwood), we may need to remove planks or tiles to reach the soaked materials beneath. In most cases, flooring that’s been saturated needs to be replaced.

4. Dry the Subfloor Properly

We use commercial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the subfloor completely. Skipping this step is a big mistake. Trapped moisture can lead to mold—even if you don’t see it right away.

5. Check for Mold

Dishwasher leaks that have gone undetected for more than 24–48 hours often lead to mold growth. Following IICRC S520 guidelines, we assess and remediate mold when needed—safely and thoroughly.

6. Rebuild and Restore

Once the area is dry and clean, we’ll install new flooring, seal and re-caulk plumbing lines, and make sure your kitchen is fully restored—like the leak never happened.

Why Quick Action Matters

Water from a dishwasher leak can compromise structural materials like your subfloor and cause long-term problems. Ohio building code requires subfloors to be sound, dry, and mold-free before installing new flooring (IRC R503.1.1).

Ignoring the issue can also impact your insurance claim. Most policies expect homeowners to act quickly to mitigate damage.

When to Call a Pro

If the damage is limited to a small puddle, you may be able to dry it out with fans and towels. But if water got under the floor or cabinets—or if it’s been leaking for days—you’ll want a licensed restoration contractor.

At Total Home Water Restoration, we’re fully equipped to handle water damage under your floors, inside your walls, and throughout your kitchen. We’ll deal with your insurance adjuster and help get your home back to normal.

Need help fast? Call Total Home Water Restoration at 380-246-1837 or visit us at 4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH.

From disaster to done right. We fix it like it’s our own home.