Does your Bunn coffee maker leak from the bottom. As Mr. Coffee (or Ms) in your household, are you displeased whenever you see leaks from the bottom of your coffee machine? We’re here to help you out.
Bunn coffee maker leaking from the bottom is nothing unusual. It is quite common if you ask people who own the same coffee maker. It is usually caused by water leakage which can be because of a number of reasons.
If you find a leak while you’re en route to delicious coffee, there is no need to throw away your coffee maker in a fit of rage. It’s not great for your wallet too. Instead of throwing away the coffee makers, troubleshooting for problems will help you save cash.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at what can cause your Bunn coffee maker to leak from the bottom. In addition to that, we’re also going to cover two methods that’ll help prevent your Bunn coffee maker leaking from the bottom and sides.
Reasons why Your Bunn Coffee Maker is Leaking from Bottom
There are a few reasons why your Bunn coffee maker is leaking from the bottom.
Let’s take a look.
Silicone Seal Damage
One reason why this may be happening is due to the damage to the silicone seal.
Most Bunn coffee makers have a seal to prevent leaks, but if the seal is damaged, leaks will occur. Seals tend to go bad due to overheating.
Referred to as Planned Obsolescence, this is a situation where an object is infused into a machine that will definitely go bad at some point.
Consistent exposure and heat damage are common causes of a damaged silicone seal. If the seal is bad, you can take it to a repairer to have it fixed.
Bad handling
Another possible reason for a coffee maker leaking at the bottom are if you don’t handle the machine carefully. No matter how durable your Bunn coffee maker may be, it requires careful handling; otherwise, it will break open.
A leaking machine is a clear sign of mechanical breakdown.
A damaged internal circuitry will cause water not to flow into the reservoir properly, and this will cause leaks to appear at the bottom.
Lime buildup
Another reason for the Bunn coffee maker leaking from the bottom is due to the lime deposit.
Also called mineral buildup, an accumulation of deposits in your coffee maker may cause leaks. If minerals are deposited in the internal circuitry, water will begin to appear from both sides.
The moment you begin to notice leaks, your natural reaction will be that of anger, and you may be tempted to throw it away. However, we advise against this since you can have it fixed. Below, we want to show you how to fix a Bunn Coffee Maker without stress so let’s move on.
Solution #1 – Replace the Silicone Seal
The first solution will be to replace the damaged silicone seal with a new one if the seal is the problem.
Check the seal first hand, and if you notice that it has gone bad, then you have to change it. Don’t go for just any seal but a good one from the manufacturer.
You will need: Silicone Sealant, Magnetic screwdriver, Replacement Silicone Gasket
Step 1:
The first thing you need to do is to open the top cover of your machine. A few screws are holding it in place, so you will need to remove them with your screwdriver.
Step 2:
Remove the plastic cover, then remove the plastic plunger that controls the flow of water. Finally, try cleaning it with water or a wet cloth to rid it of dirt.
Step 3:
After taking off the plunger, you will see the silicone seal. Remove it and replace it with a new seal. Make sure you place the new seal in exactly the same spot as the old one.
Fit it in properly, so that it doesn’t cause a leak in the nearest future. With the new seal in place, use your silicone sealant to cover the edges around it to create a waterproof covering.
Step 4:
After applying the sealant, wait for a few minutes for the sealant to bond and solidify, then test for leaks with water. If you don’t notice any more leaks, then it means the seal is in the proper place and working effectively.
If the leaks continue, then you will have to readjust the seal to make sure it is in its proper place, or you try the second solution below.
Solution #2- Repair Silicone Seal Cracks
Besides replacing an old seal with a new one, another step to fix a Bunn Coffee Maker leaking from the bottom is to repair existing cracks.
Upon evaluation, if you notice that the seal is cracked with break lines, you can repair it instead of buying a new one. All you need is your silicone sealant to cover the cracks.
Once the sealant bonds, it will create a covering that will prevent water from leaking through the cracks.
You will need: Silicone Sealant, Magnetic Screwdriver Set
Step 1:
Like the steps above, you will need to remove the top cover by unscrewing the screws holding the cover in place. Then remove the plunger and clean it.
Step 2:
With the silicone seal exposed, you will notice cracks in the seal. What you should do is coat the cracks with your sealant. Apply it neatly and abundantly over the cracks. Using a non-toxic sealant to coat the seal will protect it from heat exposure in the future besides covering the cracks.
Also, when applying the sealant, make sure you do so in a circular motion.
Step 3: Leave to dry
Having applied the sealant, leave it to dry for a few minutes, then feel with your hands to be sure that it is dry. Make sure the sealant is flat because if it is not, the plunger will not fit the seal perfectly, and if it does not, the seal will not prevent leaks.
Step 4:
Now, test the machine by pouring water into the water tank and switching it on. If you no longer notice the leaks, then you have done a good job.
Also Read: Bunn Coffee Maker Warmer Not Working?
How to clean your Bunn Coffee Maker?
Another method to stop the Bunn coffee maker from leaking from the bottom is to rid it of lime deposit.
If you clean your offer maker regularly, mineral deposits will not accumulate up to the point where they will cause leaks, and your coffee taste will always be great.
What you need: White Vinegar, Dish Soap, Spray head tool, Distilled water, soft cloth
Step 1:
Turn off the machine and unplug it
Step 2:
Clean the exterior with your soft cloth to remove dust and stains. For stubborn stains, soak the cloth in water and a little detergent.
Step 3:
Use warm waters to rinse the exterior, then dry with a dry cloth
Step 4:
Clean the spray head with the spray head cleaning tool to remove lime deposits. So the same to the spray head and the bypass fittings.
Step 5:
Now is the time to descale your coffee maker. Add 1/3 white vinegar to 2/3 distilled water, mix and pour into the water reservoir. Switch the machine on and let it run for 5-10 minutes to descale.
When done, empty the water reservoir and redo the process a second time. If it has been long you descaled your coffee maker, consider doing it at least three times.
If your Bunn coffee maker leaking from the bottom is caused by a lime deposit, following the above steps will resolve the problem.
How often should you clean your Bunn Coffee machine?
If I want your coffee machine to last and not leak, it is advisable to clean it every time you use it.
Unfortunately, most of us barely have the time due to our busy schedules. So if you have time constraints, you can map out a timetable.
For a thorough cleaning process, you can descale your coffee brewer once or twice a month. For a quick clean, ensure you clean the exterior areas after every use and empty the brewing pot of any leftover coffee.
Let’s have a recap.
There are two reasons why your Bunn coffee maker leaking from the bottom is possible.
First, it may be that the silicone seal is faulty and needs replacing. You can fix it by applying a nontoxic seal.
Another option is to descale the coffee maker to eliminate mineral buildup.
Both reasons are pretty usual and can be fixed easily even though there are exceptions.
Bunn makes a very good drip coffee maker but you might encounter some issues like mentioned above. If you do the Bunn coffee maker troubleshooting steps as we discuss above you should be good for a long time.
