How to Secure a Dishwasher With Granite Counter Tops

Before your dishwasher can start purring and clean all those dirty dishes, you will need to find a way to properly mount it to that granite counter. A granite counter does provides a more challenging installation process but there are many ways to get the job done. Utilizing patience, a little bit of physical labor and a short amount of time, you can get your dishwasher firmly set in position and ready to go.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/2-inch L-brackets with mounting holes, 2
• Pencil
• Granite epoxy
• 1/2-inch paint brush
• Rag
• Duct tape
• 1/2-inch bolts with nuts and washers, 2
• 6-inch adjustable wrench
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Latex gloves

1. Slide the dishwasher into the desired position below the granite counter. Search along the top of the tub gasket for two metal tabs. Push both tabs into a vertical position.

2. Grab a 1/2-inch L-bracket. Place one side of the bracket flat against the rear of one of the tabs. The other side of the bracket will be placed against the underside of the counter and pointing toward the rear of the dishwasher. Match up the hole on the tab with the mounting hole on the bracket.

3. Use the pencil to outline the section of the L-bracket touching the granite. Repeat the process on the opposite tab. Bend both tabs down. Remove the dishwasher from underneath the counter.

4. Mix the granite epoxy. Use the ½ inch paint brush to apply the epoxy. Epoxy should completely cover the two areas previously outlined with pencil. Press one L-bracket into position. Wipe excess off with the rag. Secure the bracket in position using the duct tape. Mount and secure the other bracket. Allow the epoxy to completely dry.

5. Slide the dishwasher into position below the granite counter. Push the two tabs to a vertical position, flat against the L-brackets. Insert a ½ inch bolt through each tab. Bolt heads should be facing the rear. Slip a washer on each bolt. Screw on the nuts by hand. Tighten the nuts with the adjustable wrench.

Tips & Warnings

• If the dishwater tabs do not initially reach the L-brackets, raise the adjustable feet located behind the access panel at the bottom of the appliance. Both can be accessed with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Also, tab opening size and L-bracket mounting hole size vary depending on the manufacturer. Measure these holes beforehand so the proper size nuts and bolts can be bought.
• Epoxy is nasty stuff. Wear latex gloves.

References

• Appliance 411
• Woodweb
• The Stucco Company, granite/dishwasher forum question and answer