Last Updated on October 2, 2023 by Pablo Barrantes
When speaking of the best pod coffee makers on the market, we must undoubtedly refer to those of the Nespresso brand. They are machines that not only offer the possibility of obtaining varied and exquisite espressos, but also their high quality makes them coffee makers that hardly present failures in their operation.
However, a problem that affects Nespresso coffee makers has been identified: water leaks. The coffee machines manufactured by Nespresso are usually much more compact and complex than those of other brands such as Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. They include many O-rings between tubes and valves, making water leaks a little more likely.
The brewing group of my Nespresso coffee machine is leaking water
Other brands offer much simpler pod systems than Nespresso coffee makers; In contrast, the others have simple pod holders and the extraction device at one end of the machine; Nespresso has this device inside the coffee maker, and the pod is perforated twice to carry out the coffee extraction process.
The infusion device of the Nespresso coffee machine takes the coffee pod to a compartment where it is perforated at the front with the front perforating disk and the back with three blades. While the machine performs this process, there can be inconveniences that can cause water leakage.
Water leakage due to damage to the O-ring inside the brewing device
There is an O-ring inside the brewing device, exactly where the pod is punctured, which, if it is damaged or broken, could cause water leakage into the compartment that collects the used pods. In the following image, we show you exactly where the O-ring is located:
Water leakage due to damage to the O-ring connecting the brewing device to the thermoblock
The thermoblock and the brewing device are joined with two screws, and in their internal connection, there is an O-ring that can also cause water leaks if damaged. These leaks will be present both in the container that collects the pods and in the base of the brewer.
In the image above, you can see where you can check the good condition of this gasket, disassembling the coffee maker, and observe the union between the thermoblock and the infusion device.
Related: My Nespresso does not heat the coffee.
Water leakage due to obstruction in the disc that perforates the pods
The pod-piercing disc is the last component that comes into contact with the brewing device. If the filter holes become clogged, water will start to leak out where it should not, causing a loss of pressure in the Nespresso.
To solve this problem, you only need to rub an old toothbrush with a little clean water against the hole of the pod, and it will not be necessary to disassemble any part of the coffee maker.
Water leaks due to inadequate maintenance and cleaning
As mentioned in the previous section, the pod perforating disk can suffer obstructions due to lack of cleaning, and this, in turn, will produce pressure losses and drips in the coffee maker; but this is not only a problem for the disk but also of many other parts which, if not properly maintained, could result in water leaks.
One of the parts of the Nespresso coffee machine that accumulates the most residues is the outlet nozzle, precisely because all the coffee we prepare passes through it. However, it is a very easy part to disassemble and clean.
Note: Keep in mind that sometimes the coffee outlet nozzle can crack or break, and this will cause water leaks in the front of the coffee maker, so you must ensure that this part remains in good condition.
Other residues are not so visible but also accumulate and wreak havoc in the coffee maker, causing water leaks inside it. By this, we mean the accumulation of limescale in the pump and the thermoblock.
If this is the case, it will be sufficient to descale the coffee maker once or several times when these leaks occur, and the problem will be solved immediately.
Water leaks due to damage or breakage of some parts
There are some parts inside the coffee maker whose damage can only be detected visually, so it is necessary to disassemble the machine to have complete visual access to all its internal components and thus be able to locate where the dripping problem comes from to solve it.
Once you have disassembled your coffee maker, check parts such as the thermoblock, which, although it is not common to find cracks in it, if there is one, can cause leaks. It may also happen that the plastic part of the water pump outlet breaks and causes dripping inside the machine.
How to locate a water leak in a Nespresso coffee maker
If you want to fix the water leaks that you find in your Nespresso coffee machine, analyze the problem very well and follow these steps to locate the leak and get rid of it:
- You must download the user’s manual for your Nespresso coffee machine, read it and understand it very well.
- Start the coffee maker to prepare a coffee, so you can locate where the water is filtering through, either through the outlet nozzle, the infusion device, the base, or the back of the machine.
- Proceed to decalcify your coffee maker and completely clean the machine.
- If the leak persists after this, you should disassemble the coffee maker and visually inspect the interior.
- Prepare a coffee with the machine open to locate the leak’s source.
- When you have located the leak, proceed to change the O-ring or the part that is damaged or in bad condition, which is capable.
- Verify that the problem has been solved and that there are no more water leaks.
Related: My Dolce Gusto is leaking.
