The short answer
Establish whether the water arrives with the weather. On an outdoor Alcove, rain or hose water collecting in the recess is the commonest explanation for a puddle. Condensation on the cabinet in humid air is second, a drain blocked with outdoor debris third, and a strained door seal fourth. Isolate the circuit if water is anywhere near the socket.
What you observe
- Water appears only after rain or a hose-down — The weather, not the appliance.
- The recess floor slopes toward the unit — Runoff collects exactly where a leak would.
- The outside of the cabinet is beaded with moisture — Humid air condensing on a cold surface.
- Standing water inside at the base of the liner — The internal drain is blocked.
- NEAR MISS — a little water in the rear channel — Normal drainage on its way out.
Causes, most likely first on this class
- Rain, runoff or hose water entering the recess — First because it is the explanation no indoor cabinet offers and it produces a puddle in precisely the wrong place. The appliance is sound and no part will change anything.
- Condensation on the cabinet exterior — Second: outdoor air carries far more moisture than kitchen air, so a cold cabinet beads and drips in warm damp weather without anything being wrong.
- Internal drain blocked with outdoor debris — Third: pollen, dust and insect debris reach an outdoor cabinet freely, and once the drain closes the meltwater backs up onto the cabinet floor.
- Door seal strained or no longer touching — Last of the owner causes: wind catching a door works the hinges, and a seal that gaps feeds damp air in to condense inside continuously.
Check in this order, and why
- Dry the recess and watch it through dry weather — Free, and it separates weather from appliance.
- Check whether the cabinet exterior is beading — Condensation outside explains most of the rest.
- Look for standing water at the base of the liner — Water inside moves you to the drain.
- Close the door on paper at each corner — Left until here because a seal check needs the rest ruled out.
What an owner can safely check
- Dry the recess completely and mark where water returns — Note the weather each time it reappears.
Tools: towelAbout 20 min
- Wipe the cabinet exterior and watch for beading — Moisture returning on the outside is humidity.
Tools: clothAbout 15 min
- Unload the cabinet and clear the rear drain — Flush gently with warm water; use nothing sharp.
Tools: warm water, soft brushAbout 30 min
- Close the door on a sheet of paper at each corner — It should drag everywhere. A free corner is a strained door.
About 15 min
- STOP HERE if water arrives in dry weather with a clear drain — Liner and tray work is a service call.
Before you open anything
Safety
Isolate the unit at its protected circuit and unplug it before clearing a drain or removing the grille; a capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. Water standing in a recess with a socket in it is a shock hazard, so dry the area before restoring power, and never defeat the protective device to stop it tripping. Never poke a drain with a metal tool. Discard food that has been above forty degrees Fahrenheit, which is four degrees Celsius.
When to call a technician
Call when the recess stays dry in dry weather, the cabinet exterior is not beading, the drain runs clear and water still appears — the liner or the evaporation tray is then the answer. Call a builder instead if the alcove sheds rain or runoff toward the unit. Call an electrician immediately if water has reached the socket or the protective device keeps opening.
Nearest pages of this class
What this page does not cover
This page is written for the brand and the appliance class, not for one family or model line. Where a family- or model-specific page exists for your unit, that page is the more specific answer and you should start there. Deliberately absent: rated ambient and humidity ranges, drain and tray dimensions, seal and hinge part identifiers and fault-code meanings, all of which differ between the outdoor-rated, indoor under-counter and freestanding families.
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
