Hi. Just returned from vacation and found small amount (quart?) of water on kitchen floor, near dishwasher.

Prior to leaving I shut off the main ball valve outside for supply line.

I don’t have a leak under pressure, so where is this small amount of water coming from? This is a second occurrence so it’s got my attention.

This is a 30 year old, 2 story house in south Florida. I did not shut off any appliance or fixture valves.

Thanks.

Could it be from the ceiling? What's above the drip on the second floor?

No water stains or dampness on ceiling.

Is there some way water could come from (drain) out of dishwasher with main shut off?

No leak or puddle with main supply back on.

Yes there could well be a leak with the water shut off, and here is what you should do. Pull the bottom front cover and see what's happening, with the water off, AND on.

https://www.appliancerepair.net/dishwasher-repair-4.html

Are your cabinets under the sink dry? Is there water left in the dishwasher tub when its shut off? Shutting off the main doesn't mean there is no water in the lines, unless you drain them by turning on your faucets. It could well be either the fill valve is faulty, in which case you shut it off at the supply line under the sink (If that too isn't going bad). It could be the faucet valve itself. I have seen it leaking under the sink and down under the dishwasher, next to it so should be checked, even if the cabinet is dry and the water is off. First step is finding the leak, so look inside and under the dishwasher, and under the sink.

Tell us what you observed. We can go from there depending on what you find.

Water could be coming out of the dishwasher...

Milo

Here’s what I’ve found so far: no evidence of leaks underneath the dishwasher after removing kickplate; cabinetry not damp/wet; no obvious leak from shutoff valve under sink. All this with main house supply on and off. However the “off/closed” house supply test has only been an hour. Hard to find time when wifey doesn’t need water, lol...

We do typically leave the dishwasher door cracked open, a slight leak from there could cause the puddle on the tile without anything else getting wet I suppose. Could the source of my puddle be from inside the dishwasher over a period of 3-4 days?

I would think that if the leak was from inside the DW, then there would be water in the DW as well as on the floor. That just does not seem right somehow. Has it happened again? Do we understand correctly that it does not happen while you are there, and only seems to happen when the water to the house is turned off?

You are correct, it only happens when we go away for several days and I shut off the main outside the house. It has not happened again.

I'm really stumped. I see no evidence of a leak from the dishwasher, but I also see no evidence of a leak anywhere else. Just come home to a puddle of water on the tile in front of the dishwasher.

Just curious, did you turn on the house water, and then find the puddle, or did you find the puddle, and then turned on the water?

It really doesn't make sense to me, how it is that water leaks only when you are away. Would it be that you don't notice the leak as kitchen floor maybe cleaned on every day basis, therefore wiping off any water that may have accumulated on the floor ?

What is directly upstairs above that leak ?

If you turn water off while you gone, and release pressure from pipes, than water could be coming from either trap from above bathroom, or from dishwasher. Trap hold small amount of water all the time and could be cracked. Dishwasher holds small amount of water in its interior ( inside the pump and portion of the discharge hose ). That discharge hose may have a small drip at the connection under the dishwasher.

Next time you go away, sprinkle flour along side of the kitchen cabinets and well as on the floor couple of feet away from the cabinets. When you come back, it will clearly show you where is the trail coming from. Follow the trail to identify the source of the leak and repair it.

Let me know how you did

Milo

Great idea, thanks.

Straight above the area is a bedroom, no visible leaking or water spotting, no dampness in the ceiling.

We will be leaving for a couple days next week so I’ll see what happens then.

When I shut off the main supply should I open a faucet on the first floor to drain my piping? Would that help tell me anything when I return?

As far as shutting water off before you leave - I would do exactly what you usually do when you leave for long weekend. Don't change anything

Milo

Just curious, did you turn on the house water, and then find the puddle, or did you find the puddle, and then turned on the water?

Found the puddle before turning on the supply.

Wouldn't a leaking trap leak all the time?

Assume no pets in house... by chance do you have someone grabbing ice for a cup on the way out that might drop a cube and that's the source of the puddle when it melts? Just thinking of options that might explain it.

I got nothing, but it' so weird of a circumstance, I might set up a trail cam or something to see what was happening while I was gone.

Did it again over a 2 day trip. No pets, no dropped ice cube.

I spread paper towels over the floor and now I’m pretty sure it’s not the dishwasher. It’s actually more in front of the oven. No wet cabinets, ceiling above dry. I’m leaving later this week and will leave another pattern of paper towels on the floor to try to track this down. It really doesn’t make sense.

Yes, only when turning off supply line outside, and I also turn off the water heater and ice maker. Doesn’t show up at all when supply if left on.

Upstairs toilet makes horrendous noise first time we flush it.

Interesting update, it now appears the water is coming from the refrigerator and puddling in a low spot in the floor near the dishwasher. There are a couple of water stains on the tile beneath the refrigerator, but not large.

This time after shutting off the supply I opened a lower level faucet to drain the house cold water line.

And upon return home this time no puddle on the floor at all. Completely dry. What would that indicate?

Stratmeister,

Now, when you located the source of the leak, try to find out what part of refrigerator creates that leak. It could be condensation from compressor, coil, or bad seal around the door.

Let us know once you find out what it was

Back to you

Milo

There is a collection tray for defrost runoff. It sits on a coil under the frig. I have seen them very clogged with dirt, dust, toys etc. Make sure you have enough capacity to hold the defrost runoff. Also make sure the drain pipe is in the tray and that the drain pipe isn't plugged.

Had a good long answer, and about your Name. Lost Text, refuse to rewrite it all. What a Pain? I rarely write that much. Damn

This text was lost as well, copied so not to repeat my second attempt.
Leaving after this. Hate typing for nothing

Oh man, good name Strat! Yes I play...

Anyway another trip proves that if I drain the pipes after shutting off the water it eliminates the problem of water on the floor.

I’d love to hear your long explanation...

Well another trip completed. Turned off water, drained cold water from system, no leakage when I returned home. Whatever is causing the leak only does so with the water supply shut off and the pipes left under pressure. I’m lost...