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Dishwasher w/ granite c’top

Junkman001 | Posted in Construction Techniques on March 1, 2006 04:48am

I’m doing a kitchen remod with granite countertops.  I’ve never delt with granite before and was wondering what to do where the dishwasher front edge nornally screws up into the bottom of the counter.  Diamond drill and mollies?

Mike

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  1. dustinf | Mar 01, 2006 04:58am | #1

    You can, but I don't.  Drilling that close to the edge is playing with fire. 

    Most manufacturers make an optional side mount designed for granite applications.  Instead of screwing up into the granite, they screw into the sides of the neighboring cabinets face frames.

    My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard
  2. sawdust58 | Mar 01, 2006 04:59am | #2

    what I have done is install the dw and level it, if there is enough room between top of dw and counter top I install a piece of 3/4" filler that comes with most cabinets between adjacent cabinets and screw it in place. it gives a nice picture frame look to the dw and also a place to screw the mounting brackets

    of course this is all done b4 the counters are installed

    1. plumbbill | Mar 01, 2006 06:32am | #5

      I have soapstone counters I did the same thing you're talking about.

      I used a leftover piece of my filler strips.

      Epoxy it to the sopastone then screwed the dw to the wood

      & I did it all after the fact

  3. sledgehammer | Mar 01, 2006 05:13am | #3

    If the dishwasher doesn't have side mount installation clips, get one that does.

    1. Junkman001 | Mar 01, 2006 05:21am | #4

      Thanks gents, I don't think I have room for a filler on top, so I'll get mod # and check what it has for side mounting. Mike

  4. User avater
    JDRHI | Mar 01, 2006 06:44am | #6

    Wow....yer gettin' responses I hadn't expected.

    If this is a concern, I can only assume you will not be the one installing the countertops.

    As part of the countertop install, your granite fabricator should include drilling and plugging for the dishwasher screws.

    Just make sure the dishwasher (and all other appliances) are onsite at time of templating....or no later than install.

    It aint that big a deal.

    Remodeling Contractor with no ties to the Glass City

  5. User avater
    hammer1 | Mar 01, 2006 07:02am | #7

    No body drills stone countertops in my area. Too much risk! Most better diswashers come with wall mount brackets, already.

    Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

  6. MichaelJacob | Mar 01, 2006 07:27am | #8

    i installed dual Bosch dw in my parents house. they have granite, and i just leveld the dw, and screwed it into the plywood base that the granite is glued to. it works.

  7. philarenewal | Mar 01, 2006 07:01pm | #9

    Mike:

    What is the thickness of the granite and how is it supported over the d/w?  Makes a difference in how it's usually done.

    I'n my locale (Philadelphia), a good granite job is standard 1 1/4" granite with a cleat on the wall behind the d/w (so self-supporting over the front of the d/w).  At time of install, the fabricators always install clips for the d/w (shallow holes, screws plus epoxy).  Thinner granite would be different.

  8. Craigabooey | Mar 01, 2006 07:31pm | #10

    I used to install dishwashers and appliances for a living and we used to silicone the clips (where you normally drive the screws) directly to the granite with clear silicone. I would use a wedge or shim to push the clip tight into the silicone while the other side of the shim was jammed against the top of the d/w. I would tell the customer not to use the d/w till the next morning. I did this many many timea and never had a complaint or call back. I agree with everyone that I would never drill into the granite. Trust me this method works great.

    1. User avater
      JDRHI | Mar 02, 2006 06:11am | #11

      Too risky to drill granite?

      How do you all attach undermount sinks?

      Remodeling Contractor with no ties to the Glass City

      1. Svenny | Mar 02, 2006 06:25am | #12

        My granite guy takes care of such details. As long as they have the sink, they take care or the mounting. My plumber loves it that way too!John Svenson, builder,  remodeler,  NE Ohio

        1. User avater
          JDRHI | Mar 02, 2006 06:34am | #13

          EGG-ZACTLY!

          No different for the dishwasher.

          Remodeling Contractor with no ties to the Glass City

      2. User avater
        hammer1 | Mar 02, 2006 05:04pm | #14

        Undermount sinks are generally glued to the top and a frame or plywood baffle is also glued to the top to add structural support for the sink. with the heavy cast iron sinks, additional framing is often added to the cabinet. One of those nice Kohler deep double bowls, filled with water and pots and pans can weigh 100# or more. For a while, manufacturers were just using adhesive but large filled sinks would sometimes fall out. The same would happen when the tabs for dishwashers would get siliconed in place. Every now and then you get a failure. It's one thing if the countertop manufacturer drills or cuts holes in stone but for an installer to do so on site could risk damage to the stone. We are talking thousands of dollars for a stone countertop. Stone is a natural material. There can be faults and natural weaknesses. If one was to break one section of a top, finding a color match can be very difficult. Smart installers don't do things that could cause financial loss and delays in the process. I have nothing to do with stone tops as a kitchen installer, many times I never even see them. We still often have to install the tip over protection for dishwashers and ranges. These appliances may need service so they have to be installed to allow removal.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

        1. User avater
          JDRHI | Mar 02, 2006 08:43pm | #15

          For a while, manufacturers were just using adhesive but large filled sinks would sometimes fall out.

          Yes they would...which is exactly why my (and many other) installers drill and plug for mounting clips.

          It's one thing if the countertop manufacturer drills or cuts holes in stone but for an installer to do so on site could risk damage to the stone.

          True as well....which is exactly why my installer is also the fabricator. He's also the template maker. And, the same guy who drills and plugs for DW screws.

          I'm not suggesting anyone other than the fabricator drill for the dishwasher. Only that it is common practice to do so.

          Remodeling Contractor with no ties to the Glass City

          1. DougU | Mar 03, 2006 05:54am | #16

            What you said!

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