ᐅ Retrofitting a dishwasher installation: removing the cabinet without damage
Created on: 3 Aug 2011 11:34
J
JiotaHello everyone,
I have a question: We have a Faktum kitchen (this basic model). However, we used the original space planned for a dishwasher for an additional base cabinet. Now we have been given a dishwasher and would like to integrate it into the kitchen. To do this, we would remove the base cabinet and install the dishwasher. Is it really that simple? The Faktum cabinet legs support two cabinets at the same time. So, can you just remove one cabinet without causing the other cabinet to become unbalanced?
I would appreciate any help!
Best regards
I have a question: We have a Faktum kitchen (this basic model). However, we used the original space planned for a dishwasher for an additional base cabinet. Now we have been given a dishwasher and would like to integrate it into the kitchen. To do this, we would remove the base cabinet and install the dishwasher. Is it really that simple? The Faktum cabinet legs support two cabinets at the same time. So, can you just remove one cabinet without causing the other cabinet to become unbalanced?
I would appreciate any help!
Best regards
I
IKEA-Experte4 Aug 2011 00:29Hello,
it’s best to support the structure and reposition the feet. A more detailed procedure is difficult to describe without knowing the installation situation (which cabinets have the feet attached, which cabinet is only resting on something...).
it’s best to support the structure and reposition the feet. A more detailed procedure is difficult to describe without knowing the installation situation (which cabinets have the feet attached, which cabinet is only resting on something...).
Attention: Do not forget to install a vapor barrier under the kitchen countertop in front of the dishwasher (nails are sufficient). This should be exactly where the steam rises toward the countertop when opening the dishwasher.
The dishwasher should be integrated so that steam cannot rise to the back under the kitchen countertop (let alone inside the appliance where the electrical components are located).
Additionally:
- Level the appliance front to back in level while installed, and screw it up tightly to the countertop using the adjustable feet, if available.
- Screw the appliance to the base cabinet (if this is possible with the third-party appliance).
- The connection hoses must not have kinks or restrictions behind the appliance, and they should not hang up at the back as they sometimes do during transport. Instead, they should lie down on the floor without any bends or squeezes, and not be pinched by potential additional cabinets or built-in units that might be added later (kinking means the hose is compressed).
- In fact, only integrated appliances are designed and suitable for built-in installation. There are several reasons for this, including safety. It starts with the vapor barrier—this concerns only the kitchen countertop, but steam must not get inside the appliance itself (electrical components!).
- Without a vapor barrier, the countertop swells quickly and may need to be replaced with a custom-made one with cutouts for the sink and stove, which might no longer be available in the same color or material. Replacement is often costly and labor-intensive, especially when silicone joints or backsplash tiles (sometimes made from wood) are involved.
Some images related to vapor protection and dishwasher base/integration can be found by searching online with the keywords “dishwasher” and “vapor barrier”. (I prefer not to provide an unstable link here.)
If a dishwasher is not level (propped up on the oddest things like bricks and so forth), malfunctions should come as no surprise. Water inside the dishwasher also follows gravity—and the appliance designers know this.
The dishwasher should be integrated so that steam cannot rise to the back under the kitchen countertop (let alone inside the appliance where the electrical components are located).
Additionally:
- Level the appliance front to back in level while installed, and screw it up tightly to the countertop using the adjustable feet, if available.
- Screw the appliance to the base cabinet (if this is possible with the third-party appliance).
- The connection hoses must not have kinks or restrictions behind the appliance, and they should not hang up at the back as they sometimes do during transport. Instead, they should lie down on the floor without any bends or squeezes, and not be pinched by potential additional cabinets or built-in units that might be added later (kinking means the hose is compressed).
- In fact, only integrated appliances are designed and suitable for built-in installation. There are several reasons for this, including safety. It starts with the vapor barrier—this concerns only the kitchen countertop, but steam must not get inside the appliance itself (electrical components!).
- Without a vapor barrier, the countertop swells quickly and may need to be replaced with a custom-made one with cutouts for the sink and stove, which might no longer be available in the same color or material. Replacement is often costly and labor-intensive, especially when silicone joints or backsplash tiles (sometimes made from wood) are involved.
Some images related to vapor protection and dishwasher base/integration can be found by searching online with the keywords “dishwasher” and “vapor barrier”. (I prefer not to provide an unstable link here.)
If a dishwasher is not level (propped up on the oddest things like bricks and so forth), malfunctions should come as no surprise. Water inside the dishwasher also follows gravity—and the appliance designers know this.
Hello everyone,
thank you for the replies. I can't say exactly which cabinet is just resting on top, etc., since my friend did that. But it seems to be generally possible. So we will definitely give it a try.
Thank you also for the installation tips. We probably wouldn't have considered the vapor barrier otherwise.
I’ll get back to you once we have succeeded.
Many thanks
thank you for the replies. I can't say exactly which cabinet is just resting on top, etc., since my friend did that. But it seems to be generally possible. So we will definitely give it a try.
Thank you also for the installation tips. We probably wouldn't have considered the vapor barrier otherwise.
I’ll get back to you once we have succeeded.
Many thanks
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