Dishwasher Leaked Everywhere — Now What? Water Damage Recovery Guide for Chicago Homes
Sam Simon
August 6, 2025Dishwasher leaks are one of the leading causes of hidden water damage in Chicagoland kitchens—often warping hardwood floors, damaging cabinets, and inviting mold growth before you even notice. This guide walks Chicago homeowners through the most common causes, warning signs, and immediate steps to take, plus expert insights from ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons on how to recover fast and prevent long-term damage.
Kitchen Disaster Series, Vol. 1: Dishwasher Leaks
A slow drip under the sink or a mysterious puddle in front of your dishwasher might not seem like a big deal—until your wood floor starts to buckle or mold forms behind your cabinets.
Dishwasher leaks are one of the most common causes of kitchen water damage in the Chicagoland metropolitan area. Whether you’re in a Wilmette bungalow or a Logan Square condo, the combination of hot water and soap can cause extensive damage to hardwood floors, drywall, cabinetry, and insulation. Do you know what to do for a dishwasher leak in the Chicagoland metropolitan area?
Common Causes of Dishwasher Leaks: Your dishwasher is more complex than it looks. Leaks can stem from multiple places:
- Cracked or loose water supply line
- Faulty door gasket or latch
- Improper leveling causes water to pool and overflow
- Broken float switch or drainage failure
- Clogged or damaged drain hose
- Excessive detergent causes suds to spill out
Even a pinhole leak can release gallons of water over time, especially if your dishwasher runs daily.
Signs of Hidden Water Damage in Your Kitchen
Dishwasher leaks don’t always gush. Often, they cause slow, persistent water damage that spreads under the surface. Watch for:
- Warping or cupping of wood or laminate flooring
- Discoloration or peeling of baseboards or cabinetry
- A musty smell near your dishwasher
- Visible mold or mildew
- Water stains on the ceiling below (in multi-story homes)
- Soft or sagging drywall around or behind the dishwasher
Why Wood Floors and Hot Water Don’t Mix
Hot water from dishwasher leaks doesn’t just sit—it seeps into wood grain, causing it to expand, warp, and split. Add in soap and grease, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for rot, mold, and subfloor delamination.
We’ve seen Chicagoland kitchens where:
- Hardwood had to be removed entirely and replaced
- Subfloors were soaked and grew mold within 72 hours
- Cabinet toe kicks hid months of slow leaks
What to Do Immediately After a Dishwasher Leak
- Turn off the dishwasher and water supply
- Soak up standing water with towels or a wet vac
- Remove the bottom kick plate and inspect for moisture or mold
- Call a certified restoration team (like ServiceMaster By Simons) to assess hidden damage with moisture meters and thermal imaging
Pro Tip: Insurance may not cover long-term leaks. Catching it early matters.
Why Choose ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons
Sam Simon and Nasutsa Mabwa—nationally deployed disaster response experts and the top restoration authorities in the Chicagoland metropolitan area—lead every job with precision, compassion, and over 30 years of hands-on experience.
We offer:
- IICRC-Certified Technicians (Master Water Restorer)
- Moisture detection & infrared scanning
- Wood floor drying systems
- Cabinet drying and dehumidification
- Mold prevention and treatment
- Direct insurance billing
We’ve restored thousands of kitchens in Skokie, Evanston, Glenview, Oak Park, Lake Forest, and beyond.
The ServiceMaster Legacy: National Trust Meets Local Expertise. Founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster is one of America’s most trusted names in restoration. That legacy continues with ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons—your local, certified firm that’s answered the call during:
- Hurricane Matthew
- Hurricane Sandy
- Hurricane Irene
- Hurricane Harvey & Ike
- Hurricane Maria
- Numerous Tropical Storms
- Midwest freeze disasters across 6 states
We’ve received multiple certificates of appreciation for national and regional disaster recovery, including complex water loss and mold remediation work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dishwasher Leaks
Q: How do I know if my dishwasher is leaking?
A: Look for puddles near the base, warped floors, or a musty smell. Hidden leaks often damage wood floors and cabinets before you notice.
Q: Is dishwasher leak damage covered by homeowners insurance?
A: Often yes—if the leak is sudden and accidental. Long-term or neglected leaks may be denied. It’s best to act fast and document the damage.
Q: Can I dry out my kitchen myself?
A: Small spills, yes. But dishwasher leaks often soak subfloors and insulation. Professional drying prevents mold and structural issues.
Q: How fast does mold grow after a leak?
A: Mold can begin forming within 24–48 hours, especially in dark, damp areas like under dishwashers and behind cabinetry.
About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is the leading disaster restoration company serving the entire Chicagoland metropolitan area, including Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, Northern DuPage County, and Northern Cook County. Family-owned and operated by industry leaders Sam Simon and Nasutsa Mabwa, our firm brings over 30 years of award-winning experience to every project we take on.
We proudly hold the IICRC’s highest certifications—Master Fire Restorer, Master Water Restorer, and Master Textile Restorer—and we’re a Certified Firm listed by the IICRC. Our expertise and commitment to excellence have earned us recognition both locally and nationally.
As proud members of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), we’ve also been deployed across the country for catastrophic recovery efforts, including Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, Ike, Matthew, and Sandy, as well as historic freeze events across the Midwest.
With certifications, credentials, and a proven reputation to match, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons doesn’t just restore properties—we restore peace of mind.
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Sam Simon
Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.
He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.
Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.
In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.
Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
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Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.
Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:
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