Dishwasher and tile replacement?

[TheTravellers]

So from what it looks like, if we replace our (under-counter) dishwasher, the tile in front of it will have to be pulled up (destroyed, since there's really no way to remove tile in whole tile without destroying it) and replaced (and I hope the tile *can* be replaced and isn't discontinued), and a new dishwasher put in along with new tile. I don't install dishwashers and with the way this house has been (very non-standard and almost everything seems like it's very hard to work on), I'm not sure if we can just by a dishwasher and have them install it without looking at it first (I don't want them to show up with the dishwasher, look at it, and say "Sorry, we can't do it" or "Sorry, it'll take us an extra week").

So I'm not quite sure where to go with this - do I need to call someone (plumber, dishwasher installer, ???) to come out and check it out first, then call a tile guy, then buy a dishwasher, then have it all done? I'm sure some of y'all have had to do this kind of thing, so hoping that someone can recommend someone (plumber, installer, tile guy, whoever) that I can call to get this POS replaced. Thanks much in advance...

[Bellaboo]

I would be surprised if the dishwasher doesn't have adjustable 'feet' that It is setting on ? They might screw up or down ?

If that's the case, you wouldn't have to deal with tile.


Edit - I just googled and even several years ago most have adjustable legs to prevent having to remove or replace flooring.

[Martin]

yeah... i was thinking the same thing. unless a previous owner did something crazy, i can't imagine needing to demo tile just to remove and replace a dishwasher.

[rezman]

I had a house with a similar issue in a 1949 house except my problem was that the new model dishwashers were slightly taller with the feet all the way up, so the under side uf the counter top had to be milled slightly for enough clearance.

So, is tile keeping you from sliding the dishwasher out? As in the lip of the tile is higher then the floor that the dishwasher is sitting on, and the counter top prevents the dishwasher from raising up high enough to clear the tile?

If so, I've seen this handled different ways, if you can't get enough adjustment out of the feet.

One method is to actually use a reciprocating saw to the old dishwasher at the bottom where the feet are to lower it and pull it out that way. ( this is probably what I would do and is easier than it sounds).

Another way is to see if you can loosen the front of the countertop and raise it just enough to provide clearance. This only works on certain styles of counter tops that are attached with mechanical fasteners from underneath.


Another method if you have to go this route would be to cut your grout out around the tiles that need to be removed and carefully use an oscillating blade to work through the thin set under the tiles and remove them that way. Afterwards, you would have to match the grout when going back in with them, so this method would be a last resort.

[TheTravellers]

Thanks for all the quick replies. rezman, you pretty much hit the problem right on the head, our house is 1950, so probably has the same dimensions as yours had. Yes, it has adjustable feet, but when the dishwasher repair guy was here trying to get it out so he could fix it (had drainage problems, a broken soap dispenser that we had to get fixed to make it work, but it's just all around a beat-up POS that needs complete replacement due to seals breaking down, it not cleaning very well, etc.), he couldn't, even after screwing the legs all the way up - the granite countertop is too low and the tile too high.

Probably about 10 years ago, they redid the kitchen and it appears that they might've put the dw in, then tiled and put the counter on, or tiled, put the dw in and the counter on, but anyway it's super-tight and just wouldn't come out (he did say there was some water damage under the left front leg that was hanging things up, so I guess we'd need to get that fixed too, but he said even if that wasn't there, he probably couldn't get it out unless he took the counter off. I don't see any mechanical fasteners or glue underneath the counter, so I'm not sure how it's fastened. My folks house was that way when they redid it - put the dw in and tiled in front of it, so I think my mom's in the same situation if she ever needs to replace her dw.

So I'm guessing it's probably be best to saw the legs off the old one, pull it out (hoping that gets it low enough), fix the water damage underneath, then put a new dishwasher in (assuming the new dishwashers are short enough to go in without taking the counter or tile off (which may not be the case)), so would a plumber be who to call to get it done (maybe except for the floor repair)?

[Bill Robertson]

Most dishwashers are only full height right at the front, then drop down an inch or more. There should be two screws at the top that go into the cabinet front. When you remove them and tilt the top of the dishwasher forward it will then lift upward enough to clear the tile.

[TheTravellers]

Most dishwashers are only full height right at the front, then drop down an inch or more. There should be two screws at the top that go into the cabinet front. When you remove them and tilt the top of the dishwasher forward it will then lift upward enough to clear the tile.

Nope, we tried that multiple times, including screwing the front legs up, didn't get over the tile. :-( Thanks, though.

[rezman]

Yes, If I was just going to scrap the old dishwasher, I'd cut that baby out. There's really not much to the under side of those things and they're not too heavy. Just make sure the water line & electrical are disconnected and out of the way,

A plumber may do it for you, or a good handy man. BTW, I have a nice Dewalt reciprocating saw that needs some exercise. PM me if you need some help.

[oklip955]

I've not done a lot of install/uninstalls on DW but I can install in my kitchen in under 30min. Not that hard or complicated. I'm thinking someone is not adjusting the DW right. Undo the screws and tilt/slide out after disconnect of hoses and electric .

[oklip955]

I did order a Kitchen Aid last time and after 8 hrs could not get it looking good in opening. I called Lowe's and they sent out their installer with no more luck then I. After deciding that just the way it is. I opened the door and slammed my fingers in it a few time in 10 min. Decided that sending it back was better then a ER bill. I ordered the hidden controls with the nice big handle. It went in in less then 15 min after cutting down the box. Perfect fit. Must have been the first dishwasher. And yes I did lots of leveling to square it up in the opening. Just saying the first one was just a weird fit.

[barrettd]

I would be surprised if the dishwasher doesn't have adjustable 'feet' that It is setting on ? They might screw up or down ?

If that's the case, you wouldn't have to deal with tile.


Edit - I just googled and even several years ago most have adjustable legs to prevent having to remove or replace flooring.

I almost posted this yesterday but thought I was crazy for thinking that

[TheTravellers]

Hopefully the home warranty company will come through - the control panel died, so we're getting a new dishwasher. Problem is that the guy that measured didn't take into account the 1/2" the floor was raised because of the tile, so they ordered a standard height dishwasher. When the installer came, he measured and said "Nope, can't put a standard one in", but he said an ADA-compliant dishwasher, which is about 32.5" high, would work (didn't know they made those), and the legs can be adjusted to get it to the regular height if necessary, so we're waiting on them to pick up the standard-height one and deliver the ADA-compliant one.