How to Remove a Dishwasher Safely

Published by Hala Zaqqout on February 23, 2022 | Last updated on May 13, 2023

Dishwashers do not last forever. You’ll need to remove your dishwasher from its current location, whether you have a water line leak or simply want to replace it with a newer one.

So, your old dishwasher has given up on you. It’s time to get rid of it and get ready for a new one. However, don’t be fooled; removing a dishwasher is actually rather simple if you follow a few simple steps.

Started wondering how to take out a dishwasher? Cleaners Advisor is here to help! We’ll show you how to remove a dishwasher without hurting your floors, cabinet, or drains, whether it’s plugged in or hard-wired.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to remove a dishwasher and replace it with a new one. Here’s how to remove a dishwasher in 6 simple steps.

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How Long Should a Dishwasher Last?

Most dishwashers across brands last around 10- 12 years with the right maintenance and care.

Follow all recommended maintenance guidelines as provided in the owner’s manual to ensure that your dishwashers last longer. This includes regular cleaning, correct loading, and detailed troubleshooting.

A good dishwasher should last for ten years or more. Your manufacturer may have a warranty to back up this claim. You may need to register your appliance to qualify for the warranty.

When Should You Replace a Dishwasher?

Before asking how to remove a dishwasher, there are several signs that it’s time for a new dishwasher. If the problem is merely a lack of drainage, cleaning the drain at the bottom of the dishwasher may be all that is required.

However, if your dishwasher shuts down in the middle of a cycle or fails to boil water properly, it’s time to replace it. Hiring a plumber to fix a dishwasher door, circuit board, or heating element can often be more expensive than simply replacing the dishwasher.

Here’re the signs that it’s time for dishwasher replacement:

1. The dishwasher is old – it’s at least 10 years old and probably isn’t very efficient.

2. Dishes are Not Hot after a dishwashing cycle.

3. The dishwasher does not entirely drain (and the bottom drain is clear).

4. The dishwasher door does not close securely.

5. Dishwasher shows signs of rust.

6. Dishwasher leaks water (and water and drain line is secure)

7. The interior cabinet of the dishwasher has cracks.

8. Dishes are always spotty.

But if you’re a handy DIYer, you can fix some of these problems yourself.

However, if your current dishwasher is more than 10 years old and shows some of the issues listed above, it’s probably time to remove dishwasher and replace it with a new dishwasher.

Materials and Tools Needed to Remove Dishwasher

Gloves
Screwdriver
Crescent Wrench
Old Towel
Cardboard
Voltage/Current Detector Pen
Cloth or Newspaper
Channel-Lock Pliers

How to Remove a Dishwasher?

Here’s a step-by-step detailed guide on how to remove a dishwasher:

1. Turn the Power Off

Before you do anything else, turn off the dishwasher’s electricity. Locate your electrical breaker panel and turn off the power for the dishwasher electrical circuit.

You have to turn it off at the plug, unplug the socket, and also turn it off at the breaker.

2. Turn the Water Off

Most dishwashers have a water supply shut-off valve in the cabinet beneath the sink, which is in line with the dishwasher. Turn the shut-off valve clockwise until it is fully closed to turn off the water supply to the dishwasher.

If you can’t find it, you may need to switch off your home’s main water supply before proceeding to the next step.

3. Disconnect the Water Supply

To catch water drops, place a cloth or a bowl beneath the pipes.

The water supply tube is usually a tiny copper or plastic tube with a wire mesh covering. From the dishwasher to the shutoff valve, it runs. Disconnect the supply tube from the outlet on the shutoff valve with your channel-lock pliers.

Make sure the water supply valve under the sink is turned off. Allow the line to drain into a shallow pan or towel after loosening the nut that keeps it in place.

4. Disconnect the Drain Line

Find the dishwasher’s rubber hose and follow it all the way to the end, where it’s connected. It may go to a sink or countertop fitting, or it could go to the garbage disposal. To catch water drips, place a towel beneath it.

Loosen the clip or clamp and detach the hose if it’s connected to the sink or countertop through an air gap fitting. You’ll need to disconnect the hose at the nipple fitting if it’s connected to your garbage disposal or sink drain tailpiece.

5. Detach the Dishwasher

Check to see if your dishwasher has been secured with mounting brackets by opening it. You’ll see them surrounding the dishwasher’s frame. Unscrew these with your screwdriver.

Once you’ve done this, the dishwasher legs must now be unscrewed. If you have a kickboard, you may need to remove it.

Lower the dishwasher by turning the threaded legs clockwise. Continue until the dishwasher is as low as possible to create enough space between the top of the dishwasher and the bottom of your counter. This will make pulling it out a lot easier.

6. Remove the Dishwasher

Now it’s time to take the dishwasher out beneath the counter. Carefully slide it forward, pulling it out from the cabinet. You may need help to lift it over the floor edge. You may also need help feeding the water supply tube and the drain hose through the hole in the cabinet’s side.

To avoid damaging your floors, remember to lift the dishwasher slightly as you remove it. You could always lay down a cloth or newspaper to protect the floors even further.

Now that’s it removed; you can install your new dishwasher.

Watch this video below to learn how to take out a dishwasher.

How Do You Remove a Hard-Wired Dishwasher?

We recommend hiring an electrician if your dishwasher is hard-wired directly into the circuit. Unless, of course, you’ve worked with similar appliances before. Follow these instructions if you want to try it on your own:

1. Following the same steps as before, disconnect the water supply and drain lines.

2. Turn off the power electricity at the circuit breaker.

3. Remove the front access cover — often known as the kickboard — from the dashboard’s bottom. It’s possible that you’ll have to unscrew this.

4. Locate the location of the metal junction box. The junction box may need to be removed by popping it off or unscrewing it. Make sure the power is turned off with a voltage tester.

5. Remove the wire nut that connects the two black wires, then repeat this with the two white wires.

6. Remove the bare ground wire from its tab by unscrewing it.

7. Remove the strain-relief plate if necessary. you’ll find this just above the junction box. Remove the plate and the wires from the junction box by unscrewing the two fasteners on the wire.

8. Remove the mounting screws on the dishwasher and lower the feet.

9. Remove the dishwasher out of place.

Check out this video below and follow the steps to easily remove a hard-wired dishwasher.

How to Remove a Dishwasher FAQ

Why does my dishwasher smell bad?

There’re a couple of reasons your dishwasher may start to emit an unsavory odor, but the most common one is that the build-up of food debris in the filter and edges of your machine will collect and start to smell.
Another common cause of a smelly dishwasher is due to hard water. Our water starts off as soft when it rains, but over the course of its journey to our taps and appliances, picks up minerals such as chalk and calcium.
When hard water runs through a dishwasher, it can create limescale as the dissolved minerals are re-deposited inside your machine and your dishes.

Should I run my dishwasher every day?

Unlike other forms of machinery such as cars that can fall into disrepair if left unused, there’s no need to run your dishwasher every day; just use it when you need to.
In fact, the more you use your dishwasher, the more maintenance it will require. There’s nothing wrong with leaving dishes in overnight so you can wash a full load when you’re good and ready.

Is it Worth it to Repair a Dishwasher?

If your dishwasher has stopped working, you may have wondered about getting it repaired instead of replacing it altogether. While we’re all for repairing things when it makes sense, the cost of dishwasher repair is usually almost as much as you would spend on a new unit.
At the end of the day, it makes more sense to remove your built-in dishwasher and replace it with a new built-in model.

How do you install a dishwasher?

To install a dishwasher, simply “Reverse” the process we have outlined above for removing a dishwasher, and you will have the steps in place to install a new dishwasher.

Should I buy a built-in dishwasher or a portable dishwasher?

Once you remove your old dishwasher, it’s time to start thinking about what you should replace it with.
Although another built-in model is certainly an option, many people choose to replace their old dishwashers with freestanding models that can be moved more easily and don’t require permanent water or electrical hookups.

To Wrap Up

Voila! The space is now ready for the new dishwasher. You can easily remove an old dishwasher without hiring a professional by following the steps above, and you’ll save money in the process.

You can get rid of the old dishwasher now that you know how to remove a dishwasher, whether it’s plugged in or hard-wired. Getting a new appliance is usually exciting, and our guidelines will make the procedure go as smoothly as possible.

As a final reminder from Cleaners Advisor team when you remove dishwasher, make sure the dishwasher’s water and power are turned off before you start removing it.

If you have any questions on how to remove a dishwasher, leave them in the comments box below.