TOPIC: Don't Bury Your Dishwasher Until It's Dead

This is my favorite recent short sale again.  The one where if there are things done incorrectly outside, there are likely to be things done incorrectly inside!  Well, the day does follow the night...

Whenever I enter a house and see ceramic tile that has been installed unprofessionally*, one place I am sure to look is under the dishwasher.

Why?  Because that is a make or break issue.

Why?  For the reason you see here.

This ceramic tile was put up to the edge of, but not all the way under, the dishwasher.

Often the top of the dishwasher is not far from the counter top above.  Builders often screw the feet upward so the top reaches the counter's bottom and makes for a stronger installation.  And if the flooring is a vinyl sheet good it is run all the way to the back of the dishwasher.

Here's the problem - if you tile to the front edge, as you see here, but not all the way to the back, of the dishwasher, how can it be removed?

Such was the case with this little beauty.  It was only about 1/8" from the bottom of the counter top.

It could not be removed!

And this seller had tried.  You can see how the screw has been removed.  It was removed on both sides and the appliance rocked side to side.

The dishwasher apparently broke, and when they tried to remove it discovered that it was buried!  To get it out would involve breaking at least four floor tiles, maybe six.

So they gave up and now use the dishwasher for storage.  Very useful.

Actually the range was the same way!  They set the tile just under the front but not to the rear of it either.  And, unbelievably, they have been using it even though it sits at quite an angle!  That must make cooking pancakes a snap!

My recommendation:  When you see ceramic tile, look for two things - how many of the tiles are cracked and whether they removed the appliances and laid the tiles underneath.  After all, the dishwasher shouldn't be buried until AFTER it is dead!  And I don't mean buried by tile!

* How can I walk in and know the tile was unprofessionally installed?  Because the joints weren't straight, the installer had not thought in advance where to begin and end so there was a very thin tile when I entered the kitchen, and over a dozen were cracked.  That cracking says there was no additional sub-floor under the tile, to give it more integrity and prevent deflection.  A professional installer screws, doesn't nail, a thin sub-floor and begins with a whole tile where you enter the room.  Any partial tiles are at the rear of the room.  And usually, usually, the tile joints are straight!

Very classy work. That's a great tip Jay and something I don't think many guys look out for.

It's a big problem here in Northern Virginia.  So many professionals you know...

When I was in school I worked as an appliance installer.
This brings back "Fond" memories!

To remove it you have to bend (crowbar or big wrench) the two front legs towards the middle for clearance.
Take out the adjusters in the new one and use shims to bring it up to height.