
How to Prevent Water Damage from Your Dishwasher: North Shore Homeowner's Guide

Sam Simon
July 23, 2025Dishwasher leaks can destroy floors, cabinets, and even create hidden mold inside your North Shore home. This expert guide walks you through the essential steps to prevent water damage from your dishwasher, from Glenview to Glencoe. Learn maintenance best practices, warning signs, and what to do if a leak starts. Includes FAQs and local restoration support.
Why Dishwasher Leaks Are a Hidden Threat in North Shore Homes
From historic homes in Evanston's Ridge Historic District to modern kitchens in Glenview's The Glen neighborhood, dishwashers are a standard convenience. But few homeowners realize how much damage a leaking dishwasher can cause. A slow leak can destroy hardwood flooring, warp cabinetry, and even saturate subflooring, leading to thousands in restoration costs.
ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has responded to countless dishwasher-related water damage calls throughout the North Shore, including:
- Glencoe (Skokie Ridge)
- Wilmette (The CAGE, East Wilmette, West Wilmette)
- Winnetka (East Winnetka, Indian Hill)
- Highland Park (Ravinia, Sherwood Forest)
- Lake Forest (East Lake Forest, Everett)
- Lake Bluff (Ardmore Estates)
- Northbrook (Techny, Mission Hills)
- Deerfield (Bannockburn, Riverwoods)
In each case, the damage could have been minimized or avoided entirely with regular maintenance and swift action.
1. Inspect for Leaks Monthly
Check around the base of your dishwasher at least once a month. Signs of trouble include:
- Standing water
- Swollen or discolored baseboards
- Warped wood floors
- Musty smells or visible mold
Use a flashlight to check under the unit. Even a small drip can indicate a failing door gasket or cracked water line.
Tip: For homes in flood-prone areas like Highland Park or Lake Bluff, a slow leak can add moisture to already damp basements, compounding the risk.
2. Check the Water Supply Lines & Connections
Over time, water lines can degrade or loosen. For North Shore homeowners with finished kitchens in high-end homes (e.g., Kenilworth Gardens or Conway Farms in Lake Forest), hidden leaks behind walls can be catastrophic.
How to check:
- Shut off water to the unit
- Inspect the braided hose or copper line for cracks
- Ensure connections at the inlet valve and shut-off valve are tight
Pro Tip: Replace hoses every 5–7 years. Choose steel-braided lines, which resist splitting and bursting.
3. Clean the Dishwasher Filter
A clogged filter leads to backflow and standing water, which can overflow or leak through internal components.
How to clean:
- Remove the bottom rack
- Unscrew or lift out the filter
- Rinse under hot water and scrub gently with a soft brush
Tip for families in Evanston or Skokie: Hard water buildup is common. Consider using a dishwasher cleaner monthly to break up mineral deposits.
4. Monitor Detergent Usage
Using too much detergent or the wrong kind can cause foamy overflow. That overflow often drips through the door seal and soaks into floors.
Use only:
- Dishwasher-safe detergent
- The recommended amount (check your manual)
- Powder, pods, or liquid per manufacturer instructions
Note: Homes with hardwood floors (common in East Wilmette and Hubbard Woods in Winnetka) are especially vulnerable to soap-related overflow leaks.
5. Ensure the Dishwasher is Level
An uneven dishwasher can leak from the bottom corners.
How to check:
- Place a level across the front and side of the top panel
- Adjust the front legs (screw-in feet) until balanced
Builders in upscale areas like Glen Oak Acres (Glenview) recommend checking levelness during installation and after moving the unit.
6. Unclog the Drain Hose
If your dishwasher doesn’t fully drain, water can back up and overflow internally.
Steps:
- Unplug and slide out the dishwasher
- Disconnect the drain hose from the garbage disposal or sink
- Use a long, flexible wire (like a plumbing snake) to gently remove clogs
Warning: Never force sharp objects into the hose; it may rupture.
7. Run the Dishwasher Weekly
Seals and gaskets can dry out when left unused. This leads to cracks and leaks, especially in seasonal homes around Lake Bluff or part-time Airbnb properties in Skokie or Northbrook.
Best practice: Run your dishwasher at least once a week, even on short cycles, to keep seals flexible and hydrated.
8. Install a Leak Detection Device
Smart water sensors placed under your dishwasher can alert you the moment a leak begins. Many models integrate with smart home systems or your phone.
Recommended in:
- Renovated basements in Techny (Northbrook)
- Luxury kitchens in Glencoe Park District Area
Bonus: Some smart shutoff valves can automatically cut water supply to the appliance when a leak is detected.
9. Know the Shutoff Valve Location
In case of a leak:
- Shut off the water supply valve under the sink (hot water side)
- If unavailable, shut off the home’s main water valve
10. When to Call a Restoration Expert
Even if the leak stops, water may have soaked:
- Subflooring
- Drywall
- Cabinet bases
- Insulation behind walls
Warning signs:
- Buckling wood
- Bubbling paint
- Musty smells
- Visible mold (especially behind kickboards)
ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons offers 24/7 water damage restoration. We respond to dishwasher leaks fast across:
- Skokie
- Wilmette
- Evanston
- Glenview
- Deerfield
- Lake Forest
- Northfield
- Highland Park
- Glencoe
- Winnetka
FAQs: Dishwasher Water Damage in the North Shore
Q1: How do I know if my dishwasher leak caused hidden damage? A: Look for floor warping, persistent smells, or mold under cabinets. Use a moisture meter or call us for thermal imaging inspection.
Q2: Can homeowners insurance cover dishwasher leaks? A: Often yes, if it was sudden and accidental. Ongoing leaks due to neglect may not be covered. Always document damage and call your agent.
Q3: Should I attempt to clean up water myself? A: For minor surface leaks, yes. But if water seeped into flooring or walls, professional drying is critical to prevent mold.
Q4: How fast does mold grow after a dishwasher leak? A: Mold can begin developing within 24–48 hours in damp environments.
Full List of Services by ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons
We proudly offer the following restoration and specialty services to homeowners and businesses across the North Shore, Lake County, DuPage County, and northern Cook County:
Water Damage Restoration
- Emergency water extraction
- Structural drying
- Moisture detection & mapping
- Basement flood cleanup
- Appliance leak cleanup (dishwashers, washers, etc.)
Residential Water Damage Services
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
- Soot and smoke cleanup
- Odor removal
- Emergency board-up
- Content cleaning & packout
Fire Damage Services
Mold Remediation
- Certified mold removal
- Containment & HEPA filtration
- Post-remediation verification
Mold Remediation Services
Specialty Cleaning
- Post-construction cleanup
- Hoarding cleanup
- Deep residential cleaning
Specialty Cleaning Services
Commercial Services
- Water & fire damage restoration
- Commercial cleaning & decontamination
- Emergency response planning
Commercial Restoration Service
About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons
Founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster is the nation’s oldest restoration company. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons brings 40+ years of trusted local experience to North Shore families. Our IICRC-certified team provides:
- Water damage cleanup
- Structural drying
- Mold remediation
- Insurance coordination
We proudly serve homes and businesses across Lake County, North Shore, and northern Cook County.
24/7 EMERGENCY RESPONSE Call: (847) 316-9145 | ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons – North Shore
Related Reading:
- Emergency Water Shutoff Guide for Homeowners
- Why Ants in Your Kitchen May Mean Hidden Water Damage
- Mold Mites: What They Are and What They Mean
Explore our full Water Damage Restoration services:
Water Damage Services North Shore
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.
→ IMDb Profile
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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