A puddle under the coffee machine is one of the most common complaints we hear from Jeffreys Bay homes and holiday rentals. Some leaks are simple to fix yourself, others need a technician. Here is how to find where the water is coming from.

Quick answer

Most coffee machine leaks come from an overfull or badly seated drip tray, a water tank that is cracked or not seated properly, a dirty or worn brew unit seal, blocked outlets causing overflow, or worn internal seals and hoses. Check the tray and tank first, clean the brew unit, then call a technician if water still appears under the machine.

Step 1: Find out when it leaks

The timing of a leak is a good clue.

  • Leaks all the time, even when off: water tank or tank valve
  • Leaks only when brewing: brew unit, coffee outlet or internal brew path
  • Leaks when frothing milk or using steam: milk system or steam valve
  • Leaks during rinse cycles at start-up or shutdown: drip tray, brew unit or rinse valve
  • Water in the drip tray fills very fast: a valve or blocked outlet

Step 2: Check the simple things

The drip tray

Many leaks are just an overfull drip tray. Most trays have a float that rises when full. In a busy holiday rental, the tray can fill several times a day. Also check that the tray is pushed fully into place. If it is not seated properly, water from rinse cycles can miss it.

The water tank

  • Is it seated properly? A tank that is slightly out of position may drip at the valve.
  • Is it cracked? Small cracks, often near the bottom, are common after the tank has been dropped. Fill it on its own over a sink and watch for drips.
  • Is the tank valve clean? Scale or debris can stop the valve at the bottom of the tank closing properly.

The grounds container

On some machines, an overfull grounds container stops the brew unit working properly and causes water to overflow.

Step 3: Clean the brew unit

On bean-to-cup machines, the brew unit compresses ground coffee and forces hot water through it. If it is dirty, the seals cannot close properly and water escapes around it into the machine and out underneath.

If your brew unit is removable:

1. Switch off the machine. 2. Remove the brew unit according to your manual. 3. Rinse it under lukewarm water. Do not use detergent unless your manual allows it. 4. Clean the area inside the machine where it sits, removing old grounds. 5. Let it dry and refit it.

Do this weekly in a busy household or rental.

Step 4: Check the outlets

If the coffee spout or milk outlet is partly blocked with coffee residue or dried milk, liquid can back up and overflow. Clean the spout and milk system according to your manual.

Leaks that need a technician

If you have done all of the above and water still appears under the machine, the leak is probably internal:

  • Worn brew unit seals or O-rings
  • Cracked or loose internal hoses
  • A leaking pump or valve
  • A cracked heater or thermoblock fitting
  • Scale blocking a valve so pressure forces water out elsewhere

These need the machine opened up and tested.

Why J-Bay machines leak

In Jeffreys Bay, we see a few local patterns:

  • Rental machines with drip trays and grounds containers that guests forget to empty.
  • Machines that stood all winter, where seals have dried out and shrunk.
  • Sand. Beach sand on counters and hands can get into tank valves and drip tray seats.
  • Salt air corroding metal fittings on machines near open doors.

Preventing leaks in a rental

  • Show guests where the drip tray and grounds container are, and ask them to empty them when the indicator pops up.
  • Ask your cleaner to rinse the brew unit and wash the drip tray between bookings.
  • Keep the counter around the machine free of sand.
  • Descale before each busy season.
  • Book a service if the machine stood unused all winter, so dried seals can be replaced before guests arrive.

Stop using it if...

  • Water is leaking near the power cable or switch
  • The machine trips the power
  • You see water coming from the base while it heats

Unplug it and call us. Water and electricity do not mix.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my coffee machine leak only when it rinses at start-up?

Usually the drip tray is full, not seated properly, or the brew unit is dirty and not sealing. Empty the tray and clean the brew unit.

Can I keep using a leaking coffee machine?

If it is just the drip tray, yes once emptied. If water is coming from inside the machine, unplug it and have it checked.

How often should I clean the brew unit?

Weekly for most home machines, and more often in rentals or offices.

Apex HVAC is an independent company and is not affiliated with or authorised by any appliance manufacturer. This guide is general advice. For anything involving electricity or refrigerant gas, use a qualified technician.

Need a hand? See our coffee machine repair service in Jeffreys Bay.