If there is a lot of water pooling in your dishwasher, then it is not level.The leftover water from the dishwasher can leak all over the floor if it isn't level.It's easy to level a dishwasher on your own with a screwdriver.The dishwasher can continue to clean dishes if the legs are adjusted.
Step 1: Turn off the electricity in your home.
A metal box on the wall is where the circuit breaker is located.It is usually located in a spot that doesn't get a lot of foot traffic, such as in the basement, garage, a storage closet, or even outside.The labels on the switches tell you which ones control the dishwasher power.Turn on the dishwasher to make sure it is off after flipping the breaker switch.Some homes have fuse boxes that work the same way.If the circuit breaker switches are not labeled, flip the big, main switch at the top to turn off all power in your home.
Step 2: Shut off the water supply line.
The sink has a valve.There is a silver, flexible pipe leading from the wall to the dishwasher.The pipe will be close to the wall.When the valve is tightly closed, turn it clockwise.Go to the main valve on your home if you can't locate the valve.You can find it by following the main water line.Shut off the water supply.
Step 3: Put on gloves that are resistant to damage.
They will protect you from sharp edges.They help prevent the dishwasher from being dirty.You do not have to use expensive gloves.Thin, lightweight gloves made from leather are fine.Thin gloves are better than thicker gloves.It might be more difficult to reach underneath the dishwasher and grasp the leveling mechanisms with padded gloves.It's easy to level a dishwasher, but you have to take precautions.
Step 4: The toe kick can be removed with aPhillips screwdriver.
The toe kick is at the foot of the dishwasher.There is a long panel running across the front of the dishwasher.The sides of the panel have screws.They are easy to spot because they are centered on the panel.To remove them, turn themcounterclockwise.Pull the toe kick panel off of the dishwasher after taking off the screws.You can use a 4 in (0.64 cm) nut driver if you don't have a screwdriver.
Step 5: If there is one covering the toe, remove the access panel.
There are double the number of protective panels in some dishwasher models.You can find the screws by looking at the panel's corners.Pull the access panel off of the toe kick with aPhillips screwdriver if you want to remove them.You can access the legs by pulling the toe kick off.The access panels have screws on each corner.The toe kick is held in place by these screws.
Step 6: If the dishwasher is under something, remove the mounting brackets.
There are screws on the underside of your cabinet or countertop.If you are close to the floor, you can see them above the dishwasher.They have 1 screw each and are near the front edge.The screws should be turned counterclockwise by using aPhillips screwdriver.The brackets won't have to be taken off.The second screw on the back end will keep them pinned to the cabinet or countertop.
Step 7: The lower rack is in the dishwasher.
Pull the lower rack out of the dishwasher and set it aside.The door should be left open for now.The empty space inside the dishwasher can be used to monitor its levelness.Make sure you have enough room to fit a level inside.It is possible to level the dishwasher if you are unable to remove the lower rack.It is a little easier to do without the rack.You may need to make more changes.
Step 8: The dishwasher has a level front to back.
There is a flat spot to place the level in the dishwasher.It is possible that yours raised railings along its sides.Check the tube of liquid in its middle when you set the spirit level.The side that is higher will have a bubble moving towards it.The dishwasher is higher in the back if the bubble moves toward it.The back legs should be lowered.You can raise the front legs, but it's usually easier to lower the dishwasher.Hold the level against the upper edge of the dishwasher opening if removing the lower rack isn't an option.
Step 9: You can check the dishwasher door from left to right.
The level should be close to the edge of the door.Pick a flat spot if you want the reading to be accurate.The bubble moves to figure out what needs to be done to level out the dishwasher.Close the dishwasher's door when you're done.If the right side is higher, the bubble will move to the left.Raise the left legs or lower the right legs.If it moves to the left, do the opposite.You can use the magnetic edges on some levels to your advantage if you can't find a good spot for it.Place the level to its front by closing the door.
Step 10: There are adjustment screws at the base of each leg.
If you are not familiar with the leveling mechanisms of the dishwasher, it can be difficult to reach them.They look like big metal bolts with a cap on the end.You have to manually rotate the bolts if you don't have this cap.The nut and bolt levelers are used in most dishwashers.Make sure you are able to access the nuts.Even if it is under a cabinet or countertop, you can reach them from underneath the dishwasher.If you don't see the big screws above the legs, look for smaller ones.They can be found on the back legs of some types of dishwashers.
Step 11: Pull the unit to get to the back legs.
The weight of the dishwasher should be shifted onto the legs.The back end will be raised to make it easier to see and reach the nuts.When you reach for the back legs, it is best to have someone else do it.The back legs are harder to reach in most cases.Pull the dishwasher forward just enough to expose the leveling nuts if you are doing it on your own.You don't have to use force to shift the weight.
Step 12: Raise or lower the nuts on the back legs by rotating them.
Turn the nut on the legs by hand.To raise the legs and lower them, twist them clockwise.The legs should be the same height.You can adjust them according to front to back and left to right.The back legs should be lowered if the bubble moved toward the back.The front legs should be lowered if it moved toward the front.If you have to level the dishwasher from left to right, you need to adjust its front leg first.If you can't turn the nuts by hand, turn them with a wrench.Another option is to place a 16 in (0.48 cm) wrench on top of the bolts and twist them in a certain way.The dishwasher has screws instead of bolts.To rotation the screws, use aPhillips screwdriver.
Step 13: Turn the nuts on the legs.
The dishwasher's weight can be shifted onto the back legs by pushing back on the door.The leveling nuts are on the legs.Most models can be turned by hand.To raise the legs and lower them, rotation them counterclockwise.The back legs were adjusted the same way.If the spirit level bubble shifted, lower the front legs.Lower one of the legs to match the back leg if you are leveling from left to right.The dishwasher works in reverse.The legs are raised when the nuts are turned counterclockwise.As you start adjusting the legs, you will see which way it works.If you can't turn them by hand, use a wrench.The sides of the dishwasher should be flush with nearby cabinets.
Step 14: To make further adjustments, use a spirit level.
Before you make the initial adjustments, repeat the tests you did.Place the level inside the dishwasher on the unit's front to back levelness.Place the level on its open door to measure it from left to right.Continue adjusting the legs if the dishwasher still isn't level.It can take a while to level the dishwasher.Lowering the higher legs until they are all even is the best way to do it.If you can't level the dishwasher using the legs, you could purchase wood shims from a hardware store.There are small pieces of wood or plastic you can place under the legs to raise them.
Step 15: The dishwasher door needs to be closed to check its alignment.
If you have mounting brackets above the dishwasher, make sure the door doesn't get stuck.The door needs to close completely.The gap between the door and tub on the left and right sides is equal after shutting it.If it isn't, make more adjustments to the legs.If you keep your dishwasher under a cabinet or countertop, closing the door could be a problem.The legs are high.Try to raise them by the same amount.The dishwasher needs to be checked again with a level after each adjustment.The door could leak if it looks like it is tilted.
Step 16: The screws, panels, and lower rack should be replaced.
Your dishwasher can be prepared for its next use once it is stable.If you are using the mounting screws, put them back into the brackets and through the holes in the cabinet.If your dishwasher has one, place the toe kick over the front legs and screw it in.When you are done, turn the water and electricity back on and use your dishwasher to wash dishes.If you had to pull your dishwasher out to adjust it, you should push it back underneath the cabinet or countertop.