Nespresso coffee machines are undoubtedly the best capsule coffee machines on the market. We are not only talking about the variety and quality of their coffees but also about the reliability of their coffee machines, which rarely fail. However, if one failure affects Nespresso coffee makers, it is water leakage.
Nespresso manufactures more compact and complex coffee machines than competing brands such as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo. In addition, Nespresso includes many O-rings in the connections between pipes and valves, which are weak points in terms of water loss, as we will see throughout this guide.
Water leaks from the Nespresso brewing device
Most coffee capsule systems of other brands are much simpler than the Nespresso coffee machine. While other brands have simple capsule holders and brewing devices at one end of the coffee machine, Nespresso places this brewing device deep inside the coffee maker. The coffee extraction process is done with a double perforation of the capsule.
As we have said, the most complex brewing device of the Nespresso coffee machine traps the capsule in a compartment where it is perforated at the back with three blades and the front with the front perforating disk. During this process, several problems can occur, resulting in water leakage.
Damaged internal Brewing device O-ring
Inside the brewing device, the part that perforates the capsule from behind has an O-ring inside that can deteriorate or break. If this happens, the Nespresso coffee machine will leak over the compartment that collects the used capsules. In the image below, you can see where this seal is located:
Damaged O-ring that joins the thermoblock with the brewing device
The union between the brewing device and the thermoblock is made with two screws. Still, in its internal connection, there is a small O-ring that, if damaged, will produce water leaks that can be reflected both in the capsule collection container and in the base of the Nespresso.
To check the good condition of this seal, you must disassemble the coffee machine and look at the junction between the thermoblock and the brewing device, as shown in the image above.
Clogged perforating disk
The last component in contact with the brewing device is the perforating disc of the capsule. When the filtration holes are clogged, the water can come out where it should not. If this happens, we will see a loss of pressure in the Nespresso coffee machine.
As we have already explained in other articles, you should use an old toothbrush and rub it with clean water through the capsule’s hole. In this case, it is not necessary to disassemble anything to solve the problem.
Water leaks due to lack of maintenance and cleaning
We have already seen in the previous section that the lack of cleaning of the perforating disk can produce pressure losses and drips. However, many other parts of our Nespresso coffee machine can produce water losses due to lack of maintenance.
One of the easiest parts to disassemble and clean is the coffee outlet nozzle of the Nespresso. Like all the coffee we prepare passes through here, it is one of the parts that accumulate the most coffee residues.
NOTE: Sometimes, the nozzle cracks or breaks, fitting improperly. This causes water leaks in the front of the Nespresso, so make sure the nozzle is in good condition.
Of course, «non-visible» dirt can also cause water leaks inside the coffee machine. When we talk about non-visible dirt, we refer to the accumulation of limescale in the pump and thermoblock.
Therefore, when water leaks in the Nespresso, one or several decalcifications of the coffee machine can immediately solve the problem.
Water leaks due to broken parts
If you are determined to solve your Nespresso dripping problems, disassembling the coffee machine is great since you will have visual access to its internal components. On rare occasions, the thermoblock may have a crack, but it is possible, and this can only be detected visually.
In some cases, it has been observed that the problem lies in the plastic nozzle at the top of the machine head. In models such as the Nespresso U, this nozzle cracks (or breaks off a plastic part), resulting in a lack of seal and consequent dripping. Watch this video.
We have also seen cases where the plastic part of the water pump outlet breaks, producing water leaks inside the coffee machine.
How to locate a water leak in a Nespresso
To fix a water leak in a Nespresso coffee machine, you must proceed analytically, that is, follow a series of steps to locate the leak and be able to repair it:
- Download the manual for your Nespresso coffee machine.
- Please read the manual until you understand it well.
- Prepare a coffee and locate the water leakage (nozzle, brewing device, base or rear).
- Perform a general cleaning plus some descaling.
- Check if the water leak has been solved.
- If it has not been solved, disassemble the coffee machine and make a visual inspection.
- Prepare a coffee without casings and try to locate the source of the leak.
- Once the leak has been located, replace damaged O-rings or complete parts.
- Brew a coffee and see if the problem has been solved.
