Dishwasher mayhem
 

So, as most of y'all know, we're replacing our kitchen counter. We're also replacing the ancient diswhasher, but we have bit of a dilemna.

The previous owners put pergo flooring in the kitchen. The flooring (and the pad underneath) was set on top of 2 layers of tile (it's like a linoleum ice-core. Kitchen floors through the decades), so there's a good inch and a half of elevation difference off the slab. That made removing the old dishwasher...challenging. Basically had to pull off the counter top and some moulding. That would make getting the new one in after the new counter is installed even more challenging.

The counter installers (who won't do any sort of plumbing) said it's cool if the dishwasher is already in place when they install. Okay, awesome, we'll get it delivered the day before.

Here's my question. Noting that I'm a total plumbing novice, is there any reason I would need to have a plumber come in to slide the dishwasher into place before the counter gets installed? i.e., does anything behind the dishwasher need to be hooked up or adjusted before sliding it in, or should I be able to have everything that needs to be hooked up accessible from underneath the sink when the plumbers come to hook the whole shebang up? Because once it's in, and once the counter is on, it won't be coming out.

I've glanced at some diy info and it LOOKS like all that would be required is attaching a hose or 2 and maybe a bit of electircal connecting. There even seems to be some "dishwasher kits" that are available with all the hoses and adapters one might need. If it's really that simple, I can definitely do that. Any one have actual experience?

I have lots of experience calling in a professional. ;)

I don't see why you would need a plumber. A dishwasher requires 3 connections:
1. Hot water In
2. Dirty water Out
3. Power

I normally plumb them so that you have enough extra hose to hook them up while the dishwasher is "out" and you slide the whole thing in.

I've done an install with a pergo floor, and it can be a pain. Most dishwashers have adjustable feet to level them. Measure the rough opening and see if you can get the dishwasher to slide in if you slide the adjusting feet all the way in the retracted position. It may take some angling of the dishwasher.

I'd be leery of doing an install where you can't get the dishwasher out, what will you do in 5/10 years when the dishwasher goes south? Can the new counter be raised enough to give you clearance?

Unfortunately, it is what it is, and hopefully in 5-10 years it will be the new owner's problem :evil:

We'll see just how easily adjustable the new one's leveling feet are. It may turn out that they can lower it enough to allow clearance. But I'd rather not risk leaving it out before the counters are installed in case it won't go in. I'd rather have it in and ready to go, and if it'll slide out after the fact, I'll consider it a bonus.

Remember that if you decide to keep this place as the start of your real estate empire. :)

I wish I could help you out, but my two dishwashers are completely different from yours...

I call them Left Hand and Right Hand...

I pretty much have to agree with all of this. The two I did awhile back were done with extra lengths on each of the feeds/outgoing just so it could all be slipped in after it was completely hooked up. Just be careful not to cause a bind in any of it as youre sliding the dish hider in place.

I also wouldnt worry too much about the Pergo. Go find a few pieces that match what you have and keep them around. if anything should require you to pop part of it out, it should be a (literal) snap to replace the pieces so you could never tell. Pergo is pretty forgiving that way.

With your base cabinets removed I would laydown some plywood to fill the void. Then when your new base cabinets are installed you will have a level floor. Note: that most times when new base cabinets are installed they don't go in the exact footprint of the old ones so you are going to have to fix your floor.

We're not installing new base cabinets, just a new counter.

If the lip of your counter top is thick enough to hide it you might want to put in some furring strips to raise your counter top so that your dishwasher will clear the counter top. I would still try to fill the gap in the floor height if possible.