How to Replace a Dishwasher

Step-by-step guide for pulling out the old, sliding in the new and reconnecting the new appliance.

By Jeff Timm

From The Family Handyman

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About This Project

Overview and Preparation

Step-by-Step Instructions and Pictures of How to Replace a Dishwasher

See More Appliance Repair Projects

Swapping out that old, noisy dishwasher for a new, quiet one is a lot easier than you might think. With a few basic tools and an hour or two, you’ll have that new one in and can pocket the $100 installation fee. There’s only one better deal: If installation is part of the purchase price, let the dealer do it!

In this article, we’ll show you how to pull out your old dishwasher, slide in the new one, and make the new water, drain and electrical connections.

In most cases, you won’t need any special tools or skills to do a first-class job. Most dishwashers are 24 in. wide, so you won’t have to alter cabinets to get the new one to fit. (If you change sizes, you’ll have to alter your cabinets. This requires more advanced carpentry skills that we won’t show here.)

You may find that extra layers of flooring have raised the floor height in front of the old dishwasher. This can make it difficult to get the old dishwasher out and the new one in. In some cases, you have to either loosen the countertop or remove flooring. Consider consulting a professional installer if you don’t feel confident about the best strategy.

Before You Start
Get a blanket, an old rug or cardboard to protect your floor while you work. Gather two adjustable wrenches, a screwdriver, a tape measure, a pair of pliers and a level. You’ll also need a shallow pan, bucket, sponge and rag to collect water that’ll drain from the lines when you disconnect them.

Turn off the power to the dishwasher at the main panel or unplug it under the sink. Also turn off the water to the dishwasher at the nearest shutoff valve, usually the hot water shutoff under the sink. Or shut it off at the water heater.

Consider removing the cabinet doors from your sink base to make disconnecting the drain lines easier.

Disconnect the Electrical Cable and Water Line
The water and electrical connections are underneath the dishwasher, behind a lower front panel that you have to unscrew. Always test with a voltage detector ($2 to $12 at a home center or hardware store) to make sure the power is off. When you remove the electrical line from the box, leave the cable clamp on and reuse it on the new dishwasher. Sometimes dishwashers are plug-and-cord connected rather than “hard wired”. If so, disconnect the cord and reuse it on the new dishwasher. If it’s in bad condition, buy a new one ($12) from an appliance dealer.

Usually, the water supply line is flexible copper or braided stainless steel. In either case, remove the nut securing it to the 90-degree fitting on the dishwasher. As long as the nut and ring are in good condition (no nicks or gouges), leave them on the line for later reuse. You can bend the copper line slightly, but take care not to kink the line. If you do, you’ll have to replace it. Flexible stainless steel lines are a good replacement. They cost $12 at a hardware store or home center. Make sure you buy them long enough and with fittings that match the old.

Remove the 90-degree fitting for use on the new dishwasher. It’s important to orient it exactly the same direction on the new machine so that the water line feeds directly into it. Otherwise you might kink the line.

Sponge out any standing water inside the dishwasher before removing the drain line under the sink. It’s the flexible hose that’s clamped to an inlet arm on the sink drain or a garbage disposer. As you slide the old dishwasher out, you’ll have to simultaneously work the drain hose back through the hole in the sink cabinet. Keep a rag handy to wipe up the water that’ll run out of the line.

Lowering the dishwasher gives you more clearance to slide the dishwasher out. Chances are the leveling feet will be difficult to turn, but a shot of penetrating oil on the threads may make it easier. If you need more clearance, cut the feet off with a hacksaw blade and turn the screw out. Then be sure to slip cardboard or a rug under them to avoid gouging your floor when you pull out the dishwasher.