Dishwasher Issue

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May 13th, 2015 10:12 am

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May 11th, 2015 9:35 pm

ElvaSoShexai [OP]: Deal Addict; Nov 2, 2003; 2159 posts; 233 upvotes

May 11th, 2015 9:35 pm

Dishwasher Issue

Hopefully somebody is able to offer some help of how to fix this.

I'll try to explain what's happening. I replaced my dishwasher < 4 years ago. My old one had a button near the handle that releases the lock to allow it to open. The current one I had just has a handle that you have to pull with a bit of force to unlock it.

The issue i'm having is that the top of the dish washer has started to tilt forward now whenever I open it (because of the force needed to unlock it) and also whenever i pull out a tray (i guess the weight of dishes). This is now causing the cabinet trim around the dishwasher to start ripping / peeling. Is this normal for this to happen in < 4 years, or ever at all???

Is this a simple DIY i can fix? The dishwasher was replaced by a general contractor. Hoping I can save a bit by fixing this myself.

Added some additional pics to show how it's installed and the issue:

Position of dishwasher installed:
[IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/ ... ao6qko.jpg[/IMG]

Right side showing the 2 screws holding it in (screw goes directly into trim i think):
[IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/ ... lcbsqd.jpg[/IMG]

Left side showing the 2 screws holding it in (there is a black rubber thing between dishwasher and the wall of the cabinet beside it. I pulled back the black rubber, and I see the screws doing directly into the cabinet trim/wall)
[IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/ ... 7nebuj.jpg[/IMG]

Top of dishwasher / gap between countertop:
[IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/ ... 47xtah.jpg[/IMG]

Close up of the top screw on the left side against cabinet wall:
[IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/ ... safdza.jpg[/IMG]

Close up of the top screw on the right side where I'm having the ripping / peeling issue:
[IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/ ... risazd.jpg[/IMG]

12 replies

May 11th, 2015 9:41 pm

tranquility922: Deal Expert; Sep 21, 2010; 15185 posts; 4637 upvotes; Montréal

May 11th, 2015 9:41 pm

Need a better pic and the dishwasher shouldn't be moving at all. I suspect maybe the contractor didn't install/secure the DW properly.

May 11th, 2015 10:50 pm

smacd: Deal Guru; Oct 6, 2007; 10100 posts; 8120 upvotes; Kootenays

May 11th, 2015 10:50 pm

+1 Dishwashers usually have 2 tabs at the top that mount under the counter. Make sure they have screws in them and the screws are tight.

May 11th, 2015 10:55 pm

hitman_24: Deal Addict; Dec 16, 2007; 3906 posts; 1027 upvotes; Toronto

May 11th, 2015 10:55 pm

smacd wrote: ↑+1 Dishwashers usually have 2 tabs at the top that mount under the counter. Make sure they have screws in them and the screws are tight.

Most dishwashers also have the option of securing from the side. This is typical for when stone counters are present

May 12th, 2015 9:31 am

jm1: Deal Addict; Jan 5, 2003; 4845 posts; 4634 upvotes; Toronto

May 12th, 2015 9:31 am

If you have a laminate countertop, use the tabs at the top of the DW to screw into the underside of the countertop, as others have already mentioned. This should add more stability. If the screws on the sides aren't securing as well anymore, the installer may have used screws that are too short. Replace with longer screws, which should hold better as there's more particleboard/wood to grab on to.

May 12th, 2015 10:07 am

DC5R: Sr. Member; Nov 10, 2003; 917 posts; 354 upvotes

May 12th, 2015 10:07 am

Do you have a stone counter? If not, there should be two retaining latches at the top of the dishwasher where you can screw the dishwasher into the underside of the counter to prevent the machine from tipping over. If it is a stone counter, I suggest you remove the trim and see if the contractor screwed the two side retaining latches to the cabinet - there should be one latch on each side of the dishwasher near the top. If the contractor did not put screws in and only added the trim to prevent the dishwasher from tipping, secure the washer accordingly and replace the trim. If it's already screwed in, as mentioned earlier, use longer screws or consider changing it to a bolt which would go through the cabinet.

May 12th, 2015 10:20 am

ElvaSoShexai [OP]: Deal Addict; Nov 2, 2003; 2159 posts; 233 upvotes

May 12th, 2015 10:20 am

it's a stone counter so there are no latches up top. Do I need to remove the existing screw and put in a longer screw? Or do I just add additional screws on both sides? Are there specific screws / lengths I need to use? The side of the trim I showed in the pic is about 4.5cm. The other side is about 2.5cm since it's the side wall of a cabinet

May 12th, 2015 11:59 am

hitman_24: Deal Addict; Dec 16, 2007; 3906 posts; 1027 upvotes; Toronto

May 12th, 2015 11:59 am

If you use longer screws be sure not to drill into any drawers etc on the other side

May 12th, 2015 1:32 pm

DC5R: Sr. Member; Nov 10, 2003; 917 posts; 354 upvotes

May 12th, 2015 1:32 pm

Elva, can we get some better pics? One so we can see how the dishwasher is positioned, one with a close up of the screws and potentially one with the trim removed. My concern is you're referring to screws holding the trim versus securing the dishwasher.

May 12th, 2015 2:45 pm

ElvaSoShexai [OP]: Deal Addict; Nov 2, 2003; 2159 posts; 233 upvotes

May 12th, 2015 2:45 pm

added a few additional pics. Those 4 screws are the only screws I see anywhere. Not sure which trim you were referring to, to try and remove?

May 12th, 2015 6:25 pm

JWL: Deal Guru; Nov 18, 2005; 11731 posts; 3347 upvotes; Kingston

May 12th, 2015 6:25 pm

Assuming that there is a metal piece at the top/front of the DW that is designed to screw into wood......Get a piece of wood that fits between the top of the DW and the countertop. Use some some PL Premium to glue it to the countertop. Screw in a couple of screws through the metal piece.

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May 13th, 2015 8:50 am

RumpoleoftheBaily: Member; Dec 6, 2014; 415 posts; 94 upvotes; Welland, ON

May 13th, 2015 8:50 am

You should be looking for anti-tip brackets, they are regularly supplied with oven ranges and one was supplied with my dishwasher (Kitchenaide) as well. Here is a link showing various photos:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=anti-tip ... 80&bih=885

May 13th, 2015 10:12 am

AudiDude: Deal Guru; Mar 1, 2004; 12861 posts; 1484 upvotes; Pickering

May 13th, 2015 10:12 am

JWL wrote: ↑Assuming that there is a metal piece at the top/front of the DW that is designed to screw into wood......Get a piece of wood that fits between the top of the DW and the countertop. Use some some PL Premium to glue it to the countertop. Screw in a couple of screws through the metal piece.

This is the way.^^^

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