I get the temptation to use those stick-on brackets, but I’m always a little nervous about anything adhesive under the sink—too much moisture and they just don’t last. When I set up my dishwasher, I actually drilled a small screw-in hook right into the cabinet wall for the high loop. It took a few extra minutes, but it feels way more secure. If you’re worried about damaging the cabinet, you can use a tiny pilot hole and a short screw. Just seems safer in the long run, especially with all that water around.
I hear you on the stick-on stuff—those adhesives just don’t hold up when you’ve got steam and drips under there. I went the screw-in route too, but I used one of those little cable clamps instead of a hook. It’s a bit more “engineered,” if you know what I mean, and keeps the hose from slipping. Honestly, I’d rather patch a tiny hole later than deal with a soggy bracket falling off mid-cycle. The peace of mind is worth it, especially since I’m not looking to replace cabinets anytime soon...
I get where you’re coming from with the “just patch a tiny hole later” approach, but I’ve seen more than my fair share of tenants who think they’re Bob Vila with a drill and end up making Swiss cheese out of the cabinet base. One guy managed to hit a water line—don’t ask me how, it’s still a mystery—and suddenly we had an indoor fountain under the sink.
Honestly, I’ve started leaning toward those heavy-duty adhesive brackets, but I rough up the surface and use a little construction adhesive instead of what comes in the package. Not perfect, but it’s saved me from patching up more than a few creative “engineering” attempts. Plus, if someone moves out and takes their dishwasher with them, I’m not left with random holes or weird clamps to explain to the next person.
I guess it’s all about picking your battles... and maybe keeping the power tools away from folks who think “stud finder” is just a dating app.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around how someone manages to hit a water line under the sink—like, aren’t those things supposed to be tucked away? Anyway, I’ve been debating the adhesive bracket thing myself. Does it actually hold up over time, or do you end up with a wobbly dishwasher after a year? Also, is there any risk of the adhesive messing up the cabinet finish if you ever need to remove it? I’m paranoid about making things worse instead of better...
Under Sink Hookup vs. Dedicated Drain Line: Which Is Better for Dishwashers?
Funny enough, I’ve seen more water lines get hit than you’d think—usually when someone’s drilling blindly to mount something or running new pipes. Those lines aren’t always as “tucked away” as they should be, especially in older homes where things get retrofitted over the years.
On the adhesive brackets, I’ve installed a few of those for folks who didn’t want to drill into their cabinets. Mixed results, honestly. Some adhesives hold up surprisingly well if you follow the prep instructions (clean, dry, no dust or grease), but over time—especially in humid kitchens—they can loosen. Had one call where a dishwasher started to tip forward after about 18 months because the adhesive let go.
As for cabinet finish, that’s a valid worry. Most adhesives will leave some residue, and with certain finishes, it can pull up a bit of the veneer or leave a shadow. It’s not always a disaster, but it’s not zero-risk either. If you’re really concerned about the finish, mechanical brackets are still the gold standard, even if they’re a pain to install. Just my two cents from what I’ve seen in the field.