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!
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
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:
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
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.
FAQS
Q. How do I remove my built-in dishwasher?
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
- How To Repaint Old Kitchen Cabinets In 7 Easy Steps
- 5 Best Toaster Ovens Reviews and Buyers Guide
- Can You Use Any Soap for Dishwasher? – University of Wisconsin
- Dishwasher vs. Handwashing Dishes & Water Usage – Penn State University
- 5 Best Indoor Water Fountains Reviews and Buyers Guide
- 4 Steps How To Clean Your Dishwasher Drain
- How To Remove Mold From Wood and Drywall in 4 Step
Last Updated on December 24, 2022
