Quartz is designed to be one of the best performing stone materials to use as a countertop. However, quartz can easily become damaged if you mount a dishwasher onto it improperly. So what is the best way to do it without damaging the countertops? We did the research to bring you the answer.
Here are the steps to mount your dishwasher to a quartz countertop without damaging it:
- Prep the countertop
- Locate the faceplate and brackets
- Place the dishwasher in position
- Cut the plywood
- Apply adhesive
- Attach the dishwasher
Mounting a dishwasher to stone countertops should be done with consideration, even if they aren't made of and expensive stones such as quartz. The method that you use to install the dishwasher beneath the countertop will vary depending on the size of the dishwasher and the length and layout of the countertops. Continue reading to learn more about one of the most reliable and easiest ways to do it.
Steps to Install Dishwasher to Quartz Countertop
Before you do anything, ensure that the dishwasher will actually fit the space beneath the countertop.
To do this, measure the dishwasher's length, width, and height and that of the area beneath the countertop. Be sure to leave a few inches beneath the countertop and on both sides of the cabinet.
You'll also want to leave about 3 or 4 inches at the back of the dishwasher for the plumbing and electrical hook-ups.
Once you're sure that the dishwasher will fit, hook up all of the drain pipes as well as the air gap to ensure that everything will fit. Connect the drain hose to the kitchen sink using the garbage disposal or a P-trap.
Next, attach the water lines and drill any holes into the cabinet as needed. Ensure that the water valve is accessible and that the power cord will reach the wall's socket.
If everything is good to go, you can now move on to the next steps of installing the dishwasher. First, detach all of the pipes, hoses, and electrical cords.
Things you'll need:
- Dishwasher mounting hardware kit
- Cleaning cloths
- Table or portable saw
- Adhesive
- Plywood strips
- All-purpose cleaner
- Electric drill
1. Prep the countertop
Prepare the bottom of the countertop by cleaning it with an all-purpose cleaning solution. Allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next steps.
2. Locate the faceplate and brackets
Before installing the dishwasher, identify the location of the faceplates and the brackets to determine where they will be attached. You'll typically find the bracket on the front edges of the dishwasher.
Sometimes they will be located near the side. The bracket should have two holes where the screws will go into it.
However, some dishwashers may have mounting brackets located behind the lid's faceplate. So, in this case, you will need to remove the faceplate to access them. This can be done using a flathead screwdriver or a small pry bar.
Attach the mounting bracket to the dishwasher and be sure not to screw them too tightly—you may need to remove them if the initial fit of the plywood is too tight.
3. Place the dishwasher in position
Next, adjust the dishwasher's feet to ensure that it will fit the height of the counter, leaving a couple of inches between the bottom of the counter and its top.
You can also adjust the dishwasher at the base so that it can sit directly on the floor. Next, reconnect the drainage hose, electric cord, and waterline.
4. Cut the plywood
Next, grab two pieces of plywood and cut them to fit the top edges and width of the dishwasher. Make sure that the plywood is at least three-quarters of an inch thick and that it is wide enough to fit the entire surface of the dishwasher's top.
5. Apply adhesive
Take the adhesive and apply it to the top of the plywood pieces. Afterward, apply the plywood to the bottom of the quartz countertop. Make sure that the plywood is centered beneath the countertop both vertically and horizontally.
After applying the plywood, hold it in place using your hands for about 2 minutes. This will give the adhesive time to cure. You can also place a clamp or books in position so that the adhesive can cure for 1 to 12 hours if you prefer.
Check out this building adhesive Amazon.
6. Attach the dishwasher
Once the adhesive has dried, remove any wedge or clamp that you have used to secure it in position.
Next, place the dishwasher in place and slide it back into position. As you slide the dishwasher back, note the gap between the plywood slabs and the size of the cabinetry.
If the space appears too tight, remove the dishwasher, as you will need to shave down the plywood pieces so that the dishwasher will fit. There should be at least an eighth of an inch of space between the plywood and the top of the dishwasher.
Once you get the perfect fit, remove the dishwasher and then take a 1/2-inch screw, attach it to the plywood blocks, and mount it to the dishwasher using the mounting brackets.
This will secure the dishwasher to the bottom of the quartz countertop so that it will not move during operation.
Want to see exactly how it's done? Check out this video:
Do you install a dishwasher before or after the countertop?
It's always best that the countertops are installed first. This will allow you to easily measure the space beneath the countertop as well as the dishwasher before it's installed.
If the dishwasher is installed and you are replacing the countertops, be sure to accurately measure the height of the dishwasher to avoid having installation issues once the countertops are applied to the cabinets.
Can you screw into quartz countertops?
It's generally recommended that you do not screw directly into the quartz countertop, as the heat generated by the drill can easily cause the stone to crack, chip, or break completely. However, if you must drill into the stone, it's best to use a diamond hole saw bit.
Note that this bit is fairly expensive, so it may be best to explore all the options before deciding on this method.
Check out this hole saw bit set on Amazon.
One other method that you can use is to use any type of mounting fastener such as brackets or attach plywood using a dependable adhesive. If you are worried about not being able to remove the adhesive at a later date, note that this won't be an issue.
You'll simply need to apply a solvent to the adhesive and let it sit for a few hours to dissolve it. However, if you chip or crack quartz countertops, you cannot sand them down or repair them.
You'll have to replace them (or live with the damage) or find a way to fill them with a painted epoxy.
Check out this stone epoxy on Amazon.
Does a dishwasher need to be anchored?
For the most part, yes. Contractors who install dishwashers will typically anchor them to prevent them from tipping over during operation.
Not only can this cause a physical injury, but it can also cause the dishwasher door to open up, which can cause significant water damage and damage to the dishwasher itself.
The dishwasher can be anchored using mounts on the cabinetry side or plywood boards and mounting brackets at the top or front of the dishwasher.
Can heat from dishwasher damage quartz countertops?
Not typically. Quartz is surprisingly very heat-resistant and is designed to stand up to typical kitchen use.
In fact, quartz countertops can withstand temperatures of about 150 degrees Fahrenheit before they incur any significant damage. The damage is usually displayed as discoloration on the surface of the countertop.
How much clearance do you need between the countertop and dishwasher?
It's recommended that you have at least a clearance of 4 1/4 inches between the bottom of the countertop and the top of the dishwasher. This will make it easy to install and remove the dishwasher as well as apply any mounting fasteners to the bottom of the countertops.
Wrapping Things Up
Quartz is one of the most artist song materials next to diamond. However, being that it's a natural stone, it's best that you not screw into it directly when installing a dishwasher. Doing so can result in it breaking or cracking.
The best thing to do is to use a combination of mounting brackets on the top or side of the dishwasher or to use an adhesive beneath the countertop to anchor the dishwasher. We hope this post has helped outline the steps to safely mount a dishwasher beneath the quartz countertop.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts:
How To Reset A Bosch Dishwasher
How To Arrange Appliances On A Kitchen Counter
![Large furnished kitchen in new home with quartz counter tops, Do Quartz Countertops Stain? [And how to keep them clean]](https://kitchenseer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Large-furnished-kitchen-in-new-home-with-quartz-counter-tops-250x250.jpg)
