How to Take Out a Dishwasher

Nothing is forever. 20 years ago, the kitchen design you loved just doesn’t have it anymore. So, you remodel and upgrade to make sure everything looks great and is practical as well as functional.

However, since your dishwasher was still working great and looked good, you left it where it was. Now you need to remove it and find that the task is going to be a bit more difficult than you expected.

To find out how to remove a dishwasher from under the counter, just continue to read our article. It has the helpful information you need.

How to Remove Dishwasher Without Scratching Floor

Step 1 – The beginning steps are always the same no matter which method you use to remove the dishwasher. Make sure to unplug the appliance and disconnect the water supply. Also, remove any drain hoses that are attached to your appliance.

Step 2 – You can use a dolly but there may not be enough room to get the dolly underneath the dishwasher. If there is, rock the appliance back and forth until the dishwasher is securely on the dolly.

Step 3 – Then pull the appliance and dolly out slowly. Make sure to hold onto the appliance as you move it, pushing it further up on the platform as it exits its spot. Once removed, place a tarp, piece of plastic, or blanket on the floor and put the dishwasher on it. if it is not leaving the kitchen.

Step 4 – Another way to do this and if you do not have a lot of room to spare would be to pop the front panel off and raise the legs as high as they will go. This will give you the space you need to slip a piece of tarp underneath the appliance and slide it out.

You may have to rock the dishwasher a little in order to get the tarp all the way under the dishwasher. Always work with care and a lot of patience as no one wants to damage or repair their kitchen counters.

How to Remove a Dishwasher

It may take some work but eventually, you will be able to remove the dishwasher without damaging it. The same may not be said for the different kitchen elements like cabinets, flooring, and so on.

The key to removing any built-in appliance is carefully and safely. Going fast is not the way to do it. This is not like pulling a bad tooth. You have to go slow and make sure you protect the cabinets and floor as well as the dishwasher.

1. Lower the Height

Step 1 – Unplug the Appliance

The first step in any removal process that involves electrical equipment or appliances.

Step 2 – Disconnect the Water Line

Make sure to turn the water off first and then disconnect the line. Prop up the line so no water leaks out onto your floor. Remove any drain hoses.

Step 3 – Pry the Front Panel Off

This needs to be done so you get access to the legs. Raise the legs up as best as you can so you get more moving space.

Step 4 – Remove Holding Screws

These usually hold the dishwasher to the counter. They have to come out and once out get ready to pull the appliance out of its spot. Remove when ready.

2. Lift the Countertop

Step 1 – Unplug and disconnect the power and water lines. Don’t forget to remove the drain hoses.

Step 2 – Remove the security screws holding the dishwasher to the countertop.

Step 3 – With the aid of a friend, lift up the countertop in order to get the room you need to move the dishwasher out of its place.

3. Remove the Flooring Materials

The tools you need for this option will depend on the type of flooring you used when you remodeled the kitchen. The following instructions are for a tile floor.

Step 1 – Unplug and disconnect the dishwasher from all sources.

Step 2 – Using a hammer and a crowbar place the latter tool on the grout holding the tile in place. Tap the crowbar lightly so that you break the grot, not the tile.

Step 3 – Once the grout has been broken all the way around, gently pry the tile pieces up off the floor. If they pop off without breaking, then you can reuse them.

Step 4 – Remove the holding screws, lower the legs and pull the dishwasher out of its place.

Some Final Words

Removing the built-in dishwasher from its spot in your kitchen cabinets is not that difficult of a task to do. It will take some muscle as well as patience. You are working in a tight spot and need to go slow so that you do not damage the appliance, the floor, or the counters.

But it can be done and you will be glad when it is over.