Struggling to remove a tight dishwasher – any tips on safely removing the old one?
Asked by Mestan Aclan 
3 months ago
Last Updated: June 17, 2024
I’m having trouble removing the dishwasher, it’s really stuck in there. Do you have any suggestions on how I can get the old one out?
I’ve had to modify one by cutting off the legs and bending the legs of another one – typically, the issue stems from the tile.
My washing machine is functioning properly I was attempting to sell it for a small amount of money lol
After cutting the legs and removing the old dishwasher, did you encounter any difficulties installing the new one? Most dishwashers are standard size, so I’m concerned about potential issues once the old one is removed.
Try removing a few screws from your countertop and then slightly raising the top.
Mentioned searching for the screw beneath the sink, but couldn’t find anything that would attach the counter to the cabinet
Opened the door and glanced up, noticing two brackets with screws in them
Be sure to open each door and check the outside corners, they should be secured with screws, sometimes the sink area isn’t properly attached to the top
Make sure there’s no screw on the dishwasher by examining the cabinets around it
When you put it in, remember that it will need to come out eventually, the wires for electric or plumbing might be a bit short, but it will come out, just wiggle it a bit
Advises ensuring the power to the dishwasher is turned off, and disconnecting the wires and plumbing, which may be tightly secured. If you’re able to remove the top of the dishwasher first, it will create more space to lift and take it out.
It’s not always the case. Occasionally, new floors are installed that are thicker than the old floor once the dishwasher is in place, which could potentially make it difficult to remove unless you are able to raise the countertop.
Opted for a big flathead screwdriver and applied pressure beneath the countertop.
Thanks, I already tried that but the gap is over 1/2-3/4 inch short – it’s too much to push the counter up
Thought that might be the case. You’ll need to grab a saw and cut the dishwasher in half
After removing the old tile, replace it with a piece of plywood of equal thickness or slightly thicker. This will make it easier to remove the new tile in the future.
I have a similar setup, with the washer lower than the tile. Placing a board under the dishwasher can help when the hole is too small for a short one. After getting new counters, we added an extra 3/4 top under the counter plywood to create more space for adjustments.
As a remodeling contractor with years of experience, we always lay down a piece of plywood before installing a dishwasher. This makes it easy to slide out for repairs or adjustments, if needed.
I was planning to raise the legs on my short washer, but I think I’ll go with your idea instead.
Seems like a skilled individual thought it was a brilliant plan to tile it down. 🤣 Probably struggled to fit it in initially
‘s new construction homes also have some questionable practices. I had a bit of a struggle with my builder when I insisted that they install flooring under all kitchen appliances. 🤦♀️
Absolutely
I get what you’re saying, some types of flooring may not hold up well under the heat from the oven range
You see, that’s exactly why it won’t budge
What kinds of flooring shouldn’t be placed under a range because of the heat? I’ve only worked with LVP and tile, which we’ve used under ranges in rentals without any melting issues. It would be helpful to know which materials to steer clear of.
All that should be considered in the planning stage for the final floor height, as well as counter height and expected appliances.
Remove it from the countertop, open the door and look up, disconnect the plumbing to remove it easily, then detach the wires, it’s simple
Make sure the feet are fully pushed in / raised
Yep, – both front feet are completely in, and the back right is as well. The back left has a few turns, but I can’t reach it because of the wiring and the bump in the floor.
If you open the dishwasher door and look up at the overlapping countertop, you should see some clips that are screwed into the countertop from below. Remove those screws to slide the dishwasher out. If the front legs of the dishwasher are already screwed in all the way up and it still won’t come out due to the tile blocking the leg, you can loosen one of the hex screws at the top of each leg to rotate or bend it slightly to clear the tile.
If the floor was recently installed, call the floor installer back and have them address the issue. They should have been more careful. Realistically, you may have to cut the legs with a saw. Slide it out carefully, using Formica scrap or FRP to prevent floor damage. Measure the specifications for the new one to ensure proper fit, usually ranging from 34″ to 35″. Bosch is known for having the best range. Make sure to elevate the floor to the same level as the tile to avoid future problems. When we work on flooring, we always remove the dishwasher and install flooring to match. Double check the fit before proceeding. Sometimes a new dishwasher is installed at the same time to fit the new floor level.
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My painting tool from Rudds doesn’t include the screw because it fits so snugly that nothing else is needed.
Just viewed a picture of the bottom, recommending to use a pry bar to lift it out from where the tile is cut around it. They’re all secure, but it can be removed by lifting and wiggling it
Should we tighten the feet?
You could trim a bit from the underside of the countertop that looks worn out anyway. You won’t even notice it unless you’re down there looking up from that angle.
That’s a great suggestion, . You can easily reattach a small piece to secure the new washer in place
Trim the front leg support of the DW and remove it.
Before anything else, check that the metal pieces at the top are not getting caught. Disconnect any necessary connections such as water, electricity, and drainage. Next, place an object under the feet that will sit on top of the tile, such as a drywall tool. This will create a ramp effect, making it easier to slide the item out.
Check for screws in the side panels by looking for small caps that can be popped off to expose the screws.
That’s the reason, folks, why you should always tile the WHOLE floor before installing the darn cabinets… inexperienced amateurs.
Adjusting the height of modern dishwashers like my L is not really a problem. It offers a height adjustment of at least 3-5 inches.
You could either follow ‘s advice or strip the top of the cabinets. Sometimes, there was only sheet vinyl beneath the cabinets when they were first installed. Later, the floors were tiled, which can make it hard to remove the dishwasher. Putting in a new dishwasher can be just as tricky. If you’re having trouble unscrewing parts of the countertop, check each corner of the cabinets near the counter for screws. In cases where the countertops were constructed in place, they are attached to the cabinet tops…which poses a different challenge altogether.
Now when I take a look, those square edge countertops could potentially be nailed down if they are seamless. It can be quite a challenge to lift them up and push them back down without the nail popping through the laminate.
I’ve always had the same idea, , but there’s always someone attempting to cut corners to save a few dollars
It appears that someone tiled over it😬 first off, do you have any extra tiles? Secondly, do you have a tile saw to cut around the dishwasher frame and release it from the tile.
Try unscrewing it from the countertop.
Remove the black trim
Trim the feet
Best of luck!
Seems like the tiles were added later. You may have to take out either the tiles or the top of the bench.
It’s not the greatest news, but ours was the same and we had to slightly break the tiles to remove it. It’s not very noticeable, but it was still frustrating.
Did you try unscrewing the brackets located under the edge of the countertop?
I had to replace a similar one and had to remove some of the tile, that was the only way it was going to come out
Do you need to fully tighten the leveling feet?
I know this might not be what you want to hear, but taking out the old one will be just as tough as putting in the new one.
The screws are what keep it secure.
Looks like you’ll need to remove the countertop to make room for the new one. It’s a bit outdated, so now might be a good time to consider upgrading to granite or another type of stone.
Before anything else, double-check that you have removed all the screws securing it. If it still feels too tight, try reaching underneath to adjust the legs.
Have you taken off the screws on top that connect to the countertop?
I specialize in installing appliances. You may need a saw to cut the dishwasher in half. Remove the top first, then lift out the bottom. It seems like there isn’t enough space to lift it out and remove the legs.
I encountered a similar issue and resolved it by sawing off the two front legs of the dishwasher. This allowed it to slide out smoothly.
By fully screwing in the front legs, you can make a significant adjustment. Just ensure the screws under the countertop have been unscrewed beforehand.
Hey there! To those who recommended cutting off the leg, my leg is actually a rectangular frame with pegs screwed in. If I cut the front of the frame, do I also need to cut the back leg?
Maybe ? Trying to remove this without causing any damage to your kitchen that won’t be changed.
Having two tiles and that grout makes it simple to remove them! The new one will slide in smoothly too! Best of luck 👍
The dishwasher will be secured with screws inside, attached to the cabinets and countertop that need to be taken out initially
How do you feel about your countertops? …replace them, put in a new dishwasher, add new countertops
Rab a sawzall and a prybar.
If you’ve already taken out the screws from the brackets attached to the plywood underneath the counter, then grab a sawzall and cut off those legs. Before purchasing a new one, make sure to add more flooring under the new dishwasher as suggested. The main issue with plywood is its vulnerability to moisture.
You might need to lift the countertop, but don’t worry, it’s not too difficult. Take out the top drawers, unscrew it, and use lifter tools to pry it up gradually from one end.
Try adjusting the legs of the dishwasher all the way up.
My situation was identical, but I managed to change it around a month back. You just have to pull really hard and it will come off.
I have a multi tool and had to cut off the legs.
And that’s the result when someone opts for the quick and inexpensive route instead of the proper way. You might trim the sheet metal at the bottom to make room for removal, but what about installing a new one without height adjusters
You’ll need to raise the counter top just a bit…
Check if the dishwasher is screwed in at 1 or 2 spots on each side or the top edge by opening the door. I learned this when I replaced mine last year.