Attach replacement dishwasher to granite countertop

I bought a new dishwasher. The old one was attached to the granite countertop via two machine screws and metal "brackets". These brackets are nothing but a metal square with a fixed nut attached. The bracket is mounted under countertop with some epoxy, then a screw goes through the dishwasher clips into the nut. Real easy.

In their infinite wisdom, dishwasher manufacturers decided to not have a standard spacing of the clips. The clips on my new dishwasher are about 4" further apart. So, now I have a few options.

1) Install a second set of brackets besides the old one. There is plenty of space for this, but (a) I don't have any of the brackets, and the local home improvement store doesn't seem to carry them and (b) what if I ever need to install a dishwasher with yet another clip spacing?

2) Install a wood rail (with epoxy), then use a wood screw through the dishwasher clips into the rail. The nice thing with a rail is that I don't have to worry about a bracket being in the exact right spot. However, the existing brackets make it difficult to install the rail, I'd have to route out some pieces so it fits snug over the brackets. This is still preferable to taking down the existing brackets, the epoxy is very tough. I'm not crazy about wood though. It will be a damp, warm area (steam), so the wood would need to be prepared with a good stain and or/ varnish. Also, wood screws tend to loosen over time, whereas a bolt/ nut is pretty much permanent.

3) Install a metal strip (1/2" wide) using the existing brackets. This strip would be long enough so that I can drill holes at the ends of the strip where the dishwasher clips will be attached. It's easy to install (plenty of room between dishwasher and countertop), uses a bolt & nut, and best of all, I can drill additional holes in the strip should I replace the dishwasher in the future.

My only concern with the metal strip is that it's slightly flexible, i.e. will "give" a little. But...we're only talking 2" beyond the bracket. I checked out what's available in the hardware store, I could go either with aluminum or steel. Aluminum is lighter and easier to use, steel is much more rigid but more difficult to cut to size etc. I didn't measure the thickness, but it's about 3 credit cards thick, pretty solid.

Should I be concerned about not having the clips mounted against something not completely rigid? Is there an option 4?

Thanks!

Reply to
Bas Pluim
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You're close to a solution......expanding on your steel strip idea

use a 1/2" x 1/2" square aluminum tube as your "metal strip"..... a lot stiffer than a steel strip of any reasonable thickness & a lot easier to drill

Mount the tube behind the existing brackets & just screw thru the new dishwasher

this should work fine unless I'm not understanding the installation geometry

btw removing epoxy is really simple....slowing heat the brackets to

170F+ and the stuff will soften...scrape it off

cheers Bob

Reply to
BobK207

Buy the optional "side mount" brackets for your dishwasher and screw it into the two cabinets on either side. No sense reinventing the wheel.

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Reply to
RayV

Why does it need to be attached to the top anyway? Isn't gravity enough to keep it in place???

Reply to
glenn P

Yes, and gravity is enough to have it tip forward when a rack full of dishes is slid forward.

Reply to
RayV

I have the same problem, here's the "solution"

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Attach it to the sides. I'll be trying it right away.

S
Reply to
mrsgator88

Several of the brands of dishwashers that I sold had holes predrilled (and plugged) in the front side edge of the dishasher already. Simply pull the rubber plugs and screw to the cabinet.

Reply to
Tom G

Bob,

This is a brilliant idea!!!! I took a U-shaped piece of aluminum, drilled two holes in it, and mounted it using the existing brackets (the open piece part of the "tube" faces the countertop, over the existing brackets/ nuts). It's not quite flush (the brackets are about 1/16" thick), but it looks great.

I also drilled holes at the edges of the "tube" for the dishwasher clips. Epoxied two nuts inside the tube so that I don't have to fiddle with a wrench. Now just waiting for the epoxy to harden before I install it, but the dry fit looked good. Very strong, no flexing.

Thanks!

Reply to
Bas Pluim

Yes, side mount brackets would have been a good idea. Of course, I need a quick solution since I'm washing dishes by hand right now (I know - not the end of the world, but there are more fun things to do). Ordering the side clips would probably take at least a week.

Experience...that what you get right after you needed it.

Reply to
Bas Pluim

G'day,

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jeff. Appliance Repair Aid
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Reply to
Appliance Repair Aid

Forget the nuts.... I'd use a coarse thread sheet metal screw & be done with it.

It ain't goin' to be removed a replaced very often.

Use a #10 (or #12 if the hole is already too big)

cheers Bob

Reply to
BobK207

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