Breville Leaking Water? 5 Fixes That Work

Where Exactly Is It Leaking?

Breville's "Water leaking" rows start with something that's designed in: auto purge. "Immediately after the espresso, hot water and steam functions, the machine will purge water into the drip tray. This ensures the thermocoil is at the optimal temperature." If the drip tray isn't pushed fully home or isn't emptied, that water ends up on the counter. The other documented causes are a water tank that isn't locked in, and, on the Barista Express, a worn silicone seal around the shower screen, which stops the portafilter locking in securely.

These steps come from Breville's books for the Barista Express (BES870), Barista Pro (BES878), Bambino Plus (BES500), Dual Boiler (BES920) and Oracle (BES980).

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Fix 1: Push the Drip Tray Home and Empty It (Works About 35% of the Time)

The Barista Express and Bambino Plus books both list auto purge as the first "water leaking" cause, with the same solution: "Ensure the drip tray is firmly pushed in place and emptied whenever the indicator is displayed."

1. Empty the drip tray as soon as its Empty Me! indicator shows.
2. Push it firmly back into place.
3. After each espresso, hot water or steam, expect a short purge into the tray. That's normal.
4. Clean the tray, grid and full indicator in warm soapy water (Dual Boiler: the drip tray full indicator also comes out).

Time: 2 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 35%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 2: Lock the Water Tank Into Place (Works About 25% of the Time)

The Barista Express, Barista Pro and Bambino Plus books all list the tank as a leak or flow cause: "Water tank is not fully inserted and locked into position."

1. Push the water tank down completely until it locks into place.
2. Dual Boiler: push it fully in and close the latch. A FILL TANK message with a full tank means it isn't latched.
3. Wipe up and watch for more water during the next brew.

Time: 1 minute
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 25%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 3: Replace the Shower Screen Seal (Barista Express) (Works About 20% of the Time)

The Barista Express book lists a third leak cause: "The silicone seal surrounding the shower screen needs to be replaced to ensure the portafilter is properly secured into the group head." It says: "Over time, the silicone seal surrounding the shower screen will need to be replaced."

Get the seal from Breville: "Contact Breville Consumer Support or visit www.breville.com for replacement silicone seals or for advice."

To take the shower screen off with the supplied Allen key:

1. Press POWER to switch off, and unplug the machine.
2. Remove the water tank and drip tray, carefully if they're full.
3. Clean the centre of the screw with a skewer.
4. Put the short end of the Allen key in the screw and turn it counter-clockwise.
5. Remove the screw and the shower screen, noting which side faces down. Wash the screen in warm soapy water and dry it.
6. Refit the screen and screw: turn the screw 2-3 turns by hand, then tighten with the key until flush. Don't overtighten.
7. Refit the drip tray and water tank.

The book describes removing the shower screen but not fitting the seal itself, so ask Breville for advice when you order it. Our Barista Express leaking guide has more on that model.

Time: 15 minutes
Cost: The price of a replacement seal
Success Rate: About 20%
Difficulty: Moderate

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Fix 4: Know When the Steam Wand Drip Is Normal (Works About 12% of the Time)

• While heating for steam (Barista Express): the STEAM/HOT WATER light flashes, and "during this time, condensed water may purge from the steam wand. This is normal."
• After steaming: purge the wand briefly over the drip tray, then wipe it. If the tip holes block, clear them with the pin on the cleaning tool.
• Oracle (BES980): a leaking hot water outlet, very wet steam or pumps that keep running can come from highly filtered, demineralised or distilled water. Breville's answer is to use cold, filtered water, not low-mineral water.

Time: 2 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: About 12%
Difficulty: Easy

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Fix 5: Contact Breville for Leaks From Inside (Works About 8% of the Time)

If water collects under the machine with the drip tray emptied and seated, the tank locked and the shower screen seal sound, the leak is inside. Breville's books give no owner procedure for internal hoses or valves. Switch it off, unplug it, and contact Breville:

• US: 1-866-BREVILLE (1-866-273-8455)
• Canada: 1-855-683-3535

Time: 15 minutes
Cost: Free under warranty
Success Rate: About 8%
Difficulty: Easy

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Repair vs Replace Decisions

A worn shower screen seal is a part Breville sells and the book shows how to reach. Anything inside the case is a job for Breville Consumer Support, so don't open the machine.

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Preventing Leaks

• Empty the drip tray at Empty Me!, and push it fully home.
• Lock the tank in every time you refill it.
• Replace the shower screen seal when the portafilter stops locking in firmly.
• Purge and wipe the steam wand after every use.
• Use cold, fresh water, not distilled or demineralised water (Oracle book).

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FAQ

Why is my Breville leaking into the drip tray after every shot?

That's auto purge. Breville's machines purge water into the drip tray after espresso, hot water and steam to keep the thermocoil at the right temperature. Keep the tray pushed in and empty it when Empty Me! shows.

Why is water leaking around my Breville portafilter?

On the Barista Express, Breville says the silicone seal around the shower screen needs replacing when the portafilter no longer locks in securely. Order a seal from Breville; the book shows how to remove the shower screen with the Allen key.

Why does my Breville steam wand drip?

While the machine heats for steam, condensed water may purge from the wand, which Breville calls normal. Purge the wand after every use and keep the tip holes clear.

Can I use distilled water in my Breville?

The Oracle book warns that highly filtered, demineralised or distilled water can cause very wet steam, a leaking hot water outlet or pumps that keep running. Use cold, filtered water instead.

Who do I call about a Breville leak?

Breville Consumer Support: 1-866-BREVILLE (1-866-273-8455) in the US, or 1-855-683-3535 in Canada.

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Related Breville Fixes

• Breville Barista Express Leaking
• Breville Barista Pro Leaking
• Breville Bambino Plus Leaking Water
• Breville Barista Touch BES880 Leaking
• Breville Steam Wand Not Working

Sources: Breville instruction books for the Barista Express BES870, Barista Pro BES878, Bambino Plus BES500, Dual Boiler BES920 and Oracle BES980.