9 Steps To Remove A Built-in Dishwasher

The dishwasher may have been the second appliance you purchased when you moved into your home, but it’s time to move on and upgrade to a new one. But that’s easier said than done!

Quick Summary

The first thing that comes to mind when removing a built-in dishwasher is how much of a hassle it’ll be—you don’t want to damage your countertop or cupboards, right?

Luckily, there are easy ways to remove it without causing too much damage in the process. Here are steps on how to remove your built-in dishwasher in no time!

How to Remove Built-in Dishwasher – 9 Steps

1) Clean Out Sink Cabinet

Before you start taking apart the dishwasher and pulling it out of the kitchen, make sure you have plenty of storage space. Carefully remove all the items from your sink cabinet, including any garbage cans or other appliances that would normally go there. You’ll need plenty of room for parts and tools as well as ample space for the dishwasher when it’s completely dismantled. Once that’s done, you’re ready to get started with the steps below!

2) Shut off the Power to the Dishwasher

Shut off the power and check the circuit breaker. If it is tripped, flip it back on. If it is not, move onto step 2.
Unscrew the dishwasher’s faceplate using an allen wrench or screwdriver and disconnect the wire harnesses that are plugged into the unit by gently pulling them out of their sockets (or push them back in if they’re already unplugged).
Disconnect any other wires from underneath your sink or countertop that might be connected to your dishwasher by pulling them out of their plugs as well, including any water lines coming from under your sink or dishwasher hoses attached to your faucet.
Connect the new dishwasher’s electrical plug to your home’s power source before putting everything else together;
Screw the new dishwasher’s faceplate back on;
Place all new parts inside the door of the old dishwasher – don’t forget to include wiring for water and electricity – then connect those wires with some screws;

3) Shut Off Water To The Dishwasher

Shut off the water supply to the dishwasher. If you’re not sure where it is, turn off the water valve at the main shutoff valve or contact your city’s utility company for assistance. Use adjustable wrenches to loosen and detach all of the dishwasher connections, including hoses and fittings. Detach any electrical connections as well, including wires and cables.

Disconnect the drain line by loosening and unscrewing the clamp using an adjustable wrench. Disconnect any plumbing connections by loosening and unscrewing clamps with an adjustable wrench. Move dishwasher out from under cabinets if necessary. Lay down sheet of plastic sheeting on ground outside, then place open end over drain so no water will leak out onto ground Place a couple pieces of wood on top of floor panel that has been removed to prevent injury from falling cabinets (these may already be provided with your new dishwasher). Carefully slide dishwasher off floor panel onto floor below

4) Disconnect Wiring To Dishwasher

Disconnect the wiring from your dishwasher. You’ll need to remove the dishwasher from its location, so make sure you have enough space and make sure that no water lines are connected. Once you’ve disconnected the wires, disconnect the water supply lines and turn off the power before disconnecting any other connections.

Once you’ve removed all connections, disconnect the dishwasher drain line by opening up the clamps on either side of it and pulling it out of its housing. If your dishwasher has an extra sink beneath it, pull this drain out as well. Next, unscrew or pry off any fasteners that are holding your dishwasher in place; these may include screws along with brackets attached with either nails or bolts.

5) Disconnect the Water Line

If your dishwasher is still connected to the water line, disconnect it by turning off the appropriate valve. You should be able to find this valve on the side of your house near the dishwasher. The outlet for this valve will be labeled as hot or cold water. Turn this valve until you hear an audible click and then stop turning. This may take some force, so make sure that you are turning it in the right direction! Once you have found and turned off the water supply, turn off power and gas if applicable.

Next, remove any hoses attached directly to your dishwasher (usually found on either side of your sink) by detaching them from their clips and pulling them out from under your sink.

6) Disconnect the “Drain” Line

Draining the water from your dishwasher is an important first step to removing the dishwasher. Disconnecting the drain line will allow you to easily remove it and prevent water damage. Follow these steps:

Turn off the power supply by shutting off the breaker or flipping the switch.
Drain as much water out of your dishwasher as possible by opening up both hot and cold water faucets and letting them run for a few minutes.
Unscrew two small bolts holding on bottom panel with pliers, this will allow you to pull out bottom panel which should have three small holes on one side.
Reach inside and disconnect the connection hose from the dishwasher to drain line.
After disconnection, connect hose onto new dishwasher that has been installed.
Screw bolt back into place using pliers.
Reinstall panels to their original positions.
Flip breaker or turn off switch.
Fill sink with hot water until it reaches half way up on dishes so they can soak while you work on next step of project (or if not available fill pot halfway full).
Clean area around old dishwasher so no residual dirt left behind.

7) Pull the Dishwasher Out

First, disconnect the water and power supply. Next, remove any screws that are holding it in place. Now, use a crowbar or other prying device to pop the dishwasher out of the cabinet. Finally, unbolt it from the countertop and slide it out of its spot. The first step is to locate the screws that hold the dishwasher in place on each side. The bottom of the dishwasher will usually have at least two bolts screwed into wooden boards which may be secured by nails.

There may also be two side brackets located just above these which will need removing with pliers or an adjustable wrench before they can be pulled off with a screwdriver. After all these parts have been removed, you can now push back your cabinets to make more room for lifting up your new dishwasher out of its designated space. Carefully turn it over so as not to cause any damage while using a couple blocks of wood on either side so as not to scratch your floors while being maneuvered around corners, down hallways and into position for installation .

8) Clean Up the Area

Before you start, make sure the area is clean. You’ll be moving around heavy appliances and you don’t want to create more work for yourself by not having an area that’s free of clutter. Next, disconnect all of the necessary cords and wires from the dishwasher. This includes any power cords, water line connections, and drain line connections. Disconnecting these should keep your appliance from being accidentally turned on or off during the removal process.

Unhinge the Cabinet: In order to gain enough room to slide out your appliance, it needs to have its door removed first. There are two ways this can happen: one way is with a screwdriver if there’s no pull-down handle on top of the door; another way is with a drill if there is a pull-down handle

9) Install the new dishwasher

Make sure the power is off at the breaker box and turn off the water supply from the faucet.
Loosen the spray arm with a wrench so it can be removed more easily later, then remove it by unscrewing it from the underside of the dishwasher.
Disconnect any vent tubing from under or near the dishwasher, then disconnect any hoses that connect to your water supply line on either side of the machine (typically one tube for hot water and one for cold).
Disconnect any electrical wires that are connected with wire nuts under or near or behind your dishwasher, making note of which colors match up with which wires if you plan on reusing them later. Hold the dishwasher steady with one hand and use an adjustable wrench to loosen all of the bolts around the edge of the appliance.

Conclusion

Some homeowners choose to replace working dishwashers to give their kitchens a more updated appearance or to match other newer appliances they now own. Even if an older unit is still working ok, its appearance may date your kitchen and make it feel less modern.

Disconnect the water supply line from the dishwasher.
Shut off the water supply valves supplying water to the dishwasher.
Turn on both hot and cold taps, draining any remaining water from the lines into your sink or garbage disposal. This will also clear any trapped air from inside your pipes by introducing a new source of fresh water through them.
Put down towels around the area where you are working as a precaution against spills and drips.
Place a drain pan underneath the dishwasher at least two feet away from anything else (including you).
Open up the dishwasher door and turn it so that it is laying down flat with its front facing upwards towards you; this way all of its components are easily accessible for removal.

FAQS

Q. How do I remove my built-in dishwasher?

A 1. Shut off the power and water supply, then disconnect the hoses from the hot and cold water supplies at the sink tailpiece and the dishwasher’s hot and cold water feeds.
2. Disconnect any wiring or gas lines connected to the appliance that you can reach without moving it too much, such as electric cords from an electric dryer or stovetop oven; natural gas line if you have one; and drain line if you have one installed for easier disposal of kitchen wastewater
3. Open up cabinet doors below the dishwasher’s location so there is more room for maneuvering.

Q. How do I remove my built-in dishwasher?

A 1. If the dishwasher has handles on its front panel, use a screwdriver to pop them off (they’re usually held on with plastic clips). Pull down firmly on both sides of the front panel to disengage latches along its bottom edge. Lift up on the front panel (you might need help).

Q. What should I do with my old dishwasher once I’ve removed it?

A. In many cases, we recommend selling your old appliance to a neighbor or family member who could use it for their home. However, some states require you to dispose of appliances by recycling them which means taking your old appliance back to the store where you bought it.

After removing the door handle, turn around and look at the backside of your current dishwasher–there should be 4 screws holding the casing together; unscrew these and take apart your old dishwasher! There may be some hard water deposits on your door seal which will need cleaning before installing onto your new machine.

References & Additional Resources

Last Updated on December 24, 2022

9 Steps to remove a Built-in Dishwasher