A dishwasher can be one of the most significant investments in your kitchen that are only replaced once in a long while. This appliance is typically secured by mounting screws to the bottom of a countertop or the cabinet – the latter option being more common for kitchens with granite countertops. The following guides will show you how to secure a dishwasher in both cases.
How to Secure a Loose Dishwasher
If you notice that your dishwasher seems to be loosely placed and leaning or tipping in a certain direction, you might not think of it as a big deal. A slightly out of level dishwasher may not seem like a significant problem, but it can cause some issues in the kitchen, such as:
- Performance issue: The appliance cannot spin its arm properly and the machine cannot clean optimally.
- Hindered drainage: The water cannot flow smoothly into the drain, and instead pool in some areas or drain in slower speed than it normally would.
- Water leakage: You may not notice a leak if it’s minor enough, but a bigger issue will lead into leaking water pools around the appliance, especially underneath the dishwasher’s door.
Loose dishwasher that “tilts” forward is more likely to be an issue of installed ones to a granite countertop. It is because granite, along with other similar materials such as stone marble, is susceptible to split when drilled with screws. This condition may cause the dishwasher not to be held securely.
Installing the mounting kit is the sole permanent solution for this problem, where the upper part of the dishwasher is secured to the counter. You need to consider and note the manufacturer, model, or series number of your dishwasher before you go and purchase a compatible mounting kit from a nearby home improvement store.
From there, you only need to follow the provided instructions. Most kits include a dishwasher mounting bracket that is supposed to sit at the upper part of the dishwasher and can be secured using a screwdriver and drill.
How to Secure Dishwasher to Cabinet
If your dishwasher model comes with side anchors from the manufacturers, you can use them to attach the appliance to the cabinets instead of the countertops. The anchors prevent the dishwasher from tipping forward when you pull the drawers out and open the door because they are attached at the door’s edge.
Here is a guide on how to secure a dishwasher by using side brackets to the cabinet:
- Drill two 1/2” deep holes onto the upper outside edge of the tub frame of your dishwasher to install one side of the anchor.
- Secure the anchors to their place by pushing through two pan head screws into the dishwasher tub frame. These screws are typically included within the anchor kit. The upper part of the anchor must extend and form a flat surface with the back part of your dishwasher door. Do the same for the other anchor.
- Put the dishwasher into the designated place, then open its door and set a level throughout this appliance’s upper edge area. Make the dishwasher level by raising or lowering each of its front feet and place it as close as possible to the countertop.
- Create another 1/2” deep hole by the upper hole part of the anchor into your kitchen cabinet. Push a screw into the cabinet through the anchor. Do the same for the other side of the anchor.
Fixing the position or securing a kitchen dishwasher position by yourself is highly feasible as long as you follow the steps carefully and adequately.
To perform the guides on how to secure a dishwasher above, make sure you prepare the required tool beforehand, so the process won’t take long, even if it’s tackled only by one individual.
