As you slosh-slosh across the kitchen floor, you realize that water is pouring from beneath the dishwasher. Oh, no!
You need to do three things quickly: turn off electrical power to the unit, turn off the water, and then clean up the mess to avoid mold growth and damage to the floor and baseboards.
To turn off the power, look for a “light switch” within easy reach of the dishwasher. Just switch it off.
The water valve will be located under the sink, or under the floor if you have a basement. Often it’s just a ball valve; turn the lever 90 degrees so it’s perpendicular to the pipe. For a gate or globe valve, turn the handle to the right until it tightens. (Remember: right is tight.)
If you can’t find the dishwasher’s valve, turn off the main water supply to your home. In cold climates, this valve will be in the basement, normally on the street sidewall. In warm climates, the main valve may be outside your home or in a main-level utility room.