Fridge, Washer and Dishwasher Leaks: How to Find and Stop Appliance Leaks in Arlington

Your fridge, washer and dishwasher are hooked to water lines that stay under pressure all the time. A worn hose, a loose fitting or a cracked valve can leak behind or under the appliance where you cannot see it. The water soaks into the cabinet, the floor or the slab edge. Checking these lines takes a few minutes and can save a big repair. If you find damage and cannot see where the water comes from, call (817) 285-5426 for leak detection.

What are the signs of an appliance leak?

Look for a damp or warped floor near the appliance, swollen cabinet bottoms beside the dishwasher, a musty smell in the kitchen or laundry room, water stains on the ceiling below a second-floor laundry, and a water meter that moves when nothing is running. A fridge with a weak water dispenser or a small ice maker output can also point to a supply leak.

• Laminate or wood floor that lifts or feels soft near the fridge
• Dark stain on the subfloor or baseboard by the washer
• Swollen particleboard under the sink next to the dishwasher
• Rust or white crust on hose ends and shut-off valves
• A musty smell when you open the laundry closet

Our guide to the musty smell of a hidden leak explains why odors often come before stains.

Which appliance hoses fail most often?

Rubber washing machine hoses are the most common cause. They harden and crack with age. Thin plastic ice maker lines behind fridges can split or get pinched when the fridge is pushed back. Dishwasher supply lines and drain hoses can leak at the fittings under the sink. Old saddle valves on copper lines are another weak spot.

For water heater leaks, see our water heater leak guide.

How can I check my appliance lines?

Pull the appliance out with care, look at each hose and fitting with a flashlight, and feel for damp spots. Check the shut-off valves turn easily. Replace rubber washer hoses with braided steel ones every five years or so. Then do a meter test to make sure there are no other leaks in the house.

1. Unplug the appliance and slide it out slowly.
2. Look for drips, crust, kinks and bulges on each hose.
3. Wipe each fitting with a dry paper towel to spot slow leaks.
4. Turn each shut-off valve to be sure it works.
5. Watch the water meter for 15 minutes with all water off.

Find your main valve before you need it with our main shut-off valve guide. A water leak detector on the floor behind each appliance can warn you early.

What if the floor is wet but the hoses look fine?

The leak may be inside the wall, in the supply pipe behind the valve, or in a drain line. In homes on a slab, a wet floor near a kitchen or laundry can also mean a slab leak. A meter test, a moisture meter and a thermal camera help find the true source.

Read our guides to a leak in a wall or ceiling and slab leak signs, or book slab leak detection.

How much does leak detection cost in Arlington?

A basic leak detection visit in Arlington usually costs $150 to $400. If the leak is under the slab, slab leak detection runs about $250 to $600. You get the price before work starts.

General estimates for Arlington, TX in 2026. Your exact price is confirmed before any work begins.