Installing LVP under dishwasher

5 years ago

I'm installing LVP over the plywood subfloor in my kitchen and trying to decide what's best for under the dishwasher. The LVP had actually been in place for 4 months, up to about 4 inches under the dishwasher (but not under the legs), and as I'm taking it back up to fix a subfloor issue I've noticed that there's a damp spot under the LVP right below the dishwasher (and a very small amount of mold starting to grow, you can see it in the pic if you squint, along with some faint water lines on the bottom of the DW that may reflect the source of the problem).

This of course has alerted me to the concern with catching any future DW leaks before they get down to the subfloor, and I've been surprised to find that online most people generally recommend installing the flooring finishes just up to and under the front feet of the dishwasher for the purposes of easily being able to remove the DW when necessary, and I don't see as much consideration given to leak-proofing the arrangement.

My thought is that the ideal solution would be to install the (waterproof) LVP through the entire DW cavity and caulk the edges, but I haven't really seen this recommended anywhere so I wonder if I'm missing something! I'm aware of the concern with heavy appliances pinning down a floating floor, but I've read that people do this plenty under refrigerators etc without issue.

Thank you!

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Comments (6)

PRO
Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
5 years ago
How to start a fight: discuss flooring before or after dishwasher, before or after cabinets etc.

You're in a retrofit/remodel situation. Normally with new we run floors continuously through the DW cavity so the rear legs don't have to be adjusted significantly just to install or remove.

Some thoughts: One could create a seam behind the toe plate and still install flooring behind the seam. One could build a sheet metal pan in that space, then fill w flooring to the same level leaving a way to capture leaks.

Regarding leaks.... find some battery powered leak detectors and leave under DW & sink.
salex
5 years ago
Great response ^^. In my kitchen, the LV tiles run all the way under the DW and fridge. AND we have multiple leak detectors. One of them is a whole-house water monitor that alerts for two types of leaks (slow but long duration and fast of any duration). It also has an option to shut off the water if a leak is detected, and we use this when on vacation. The others are location-specific - they have wire detectors that run under water-using appliances (DW, fridge, and washer) and are attached to mini alarms that are mounted behind the appliances.
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dadoes
5 years ago
Separate from leak concerns, flooring should be installed fully into the dishwasher cavity level with outside of it. Many instances of new flooring on the outside causing the unit to get locked-in behind the higher level and resultant complications pulling it for replacement or service.
Annchen Knodt
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the responses everyone! @salex did you caulk or otherwise seal the edges of your LVT under the DW and fridge?

Happy New Year!
salex
5 years ago
No, no caulk. Just the water alarm and an easily removable toe kick.

Happy new year to you too!
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
No caulking. No way to 'seal' it. Just click it together and run it all the way to the wall behind DW. And spend the money on the water monitoring system. It is WELL worth it.

The worst place for leaks = ice-water producing fridges and dishwashers.