How to Remove a Dishwasher

One distressing appliance breakdown can transform your kitchen into a living nightmare in the blink of an eye. Worse still, these moments happen when you least expect it. 

In this case, we’re talking about when your trusted dishwasher decides to give up the ghost, and now you have to change it. Before it packed up, it must have been giving signs which you probably didn’t notice. Before we go into how you can remove the dishwasher, here are a few telltale signs that your dishwasher needs changing. 

How to Know if Your Dishwasher Needs to Be Replaced

1. Dishes aren’t hot when they come out.

Whether you are washing with a machine or by hand, according to the FDA, the least temperature to sanitize is 76oF. When you remove your dishes from the dishwasher, and they are not coming out steamy and toasty, the electric heater or the heating coil may be faulty. When this happens, you know it’s time to get a new washer. 

2. Rust.

Occasionally, wipe the floor beneath the washer with a light-colored paper towel or cloth. If you notice signs of rust, it means that water is leaking into places it should not. It also means the countdown to the end of your dishwasher has started.

3. It does not drain properly.

If you notice a pool of water at the bottom of your washer once the cycle has completed, you should check it out. There might be an issue with the drain — and it could be major or minor.

To be sure, check whether there are food particles or debris that could be blocking the drain. This could prevent water from draining when the cycle is complete. 

On the other hand, if you don’t notice anything, there’s a possibility that the drain itself has crumbled or cracked, and it’s time to replace the dishwasher.

How to Remove a Dishwasher

At this point, we’re sure you know the signs to look out for to know if your washer needs replacing. The next problem is how to remove the entire unit. Although, the task at hand may seem overwhelming to some, as they may be scared of damaging attachments that surround the washer. 

There’s no need to worry when you know what to do, and when you have the right tools, the dishwasher can be removed with ease. 

Ideally, most dishwashers are always located beside the sink, so here’s how to get started.

Pullout the Unit

Check your dishwasher to ensure there are no rollers underneath it. If there’s none, you can use furniture sliders to pullout the unit. By using furniture sliders, you avoid damaging the kitchen floor. Make sure you don’t pull the dishwasher beyond the hose hookup’s length.

Shut the Power Off

In most cases, built-in dishwashers are hard-wired. As a result, shut off the power at the main electrical panel. In a situation where there’s a cut-off switch close to the washer, you can make use of that instead.

Stop the Water Supply

Most dishwasher units have a water shutoff valve in the cabinet beneath the sink – shut that off. If the valve is leaky or corroded, the best thing to do is to turn off the water connection of your house. 

Remove the Countertop Screws 

If you look closely, you’ll notice some screws in front of your machine. These screws hold your washer to the countertop. Remove these screws and then try to remove the dishwasher from the kitchen counter carefully. 

Remove the Junction-Box Cover

If you don’t know where the junction box is, you’ll find it in the lower back area of your dishwasher. When you remove the cover, it will show some wire nuts which connect white and black from the power source to the appliance.

Remove Wires and Cords 

You’ll notice a bare ground wire that is connected with green screws to the box. Use a voltage tester to ensure the circuit is off, and then you can disconnect the wiring. The wire nuts should be placed at the end of each wire while you remove the cord from the junction box. Afterward, you can move the wires. 

Disconnect the Lines

Next, disconnect the discharge line, electrical line, and the hot-water supply line. The electrical connection and the supply line can be found between the floor and the bottom of the dishwasher.

Lose the Compression Fitting

After disconnecting the line, the next thing you have to do is to remove the access panel. This panel is held up with some screws and shouldn’t give you any hassle. Use an open-end box wrench or pliers to lose the compression fitting. If there’s water spillage, try to mop it up with a towel. 

Remove the Water Line

Find the water inlet beneath the dishwasher and unscrew the nut. Keep a towel and bucket handy when doing this, residual water in the pipes may gush out.

Disconnect the Drain Line

Lastly, disconnect the washer’s drain line from under the drain line of the sink or the garbage disposal. Usually, a clamp is used to hold the drain line in place. 

Get Rid of Leftover Water

Place the line’s hose ends that are unhooked into a bucket to collect water that’s remaining. Also, make sure there’s no water left inside the washer. Sometimes, there’s a fixture at the back of the dishwasher that does this. Whatever you do, don’t tip the dishwasher to remove the water.

Now that you have successfully removed your dishwasher, you can replace it with a new one!

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