Learning how to install a dishwasher is a moderately tough task. A faulty dishwasher installation can flood your kitchen besides causing embarrassment and reinstallation money. But, with the right tools and knowledge, installing a dishwasher is an easy “do it yourself” task.
Tools and Materials required
The dishwasher will be housed in a cabinet under the kitchen sink. The cabinet enclosure should be wide enough (around 24 inches) to ensure that the washer will fit into it. You don’t have to worry much about the height of the enclosure because modern dishwashers have adjustable heights. Next, use a hole saw to drill accordingly sized holes for the drainpipe, supply line and electrical wiring.
Step 2 – Getting the dishwasher ready
Remove the base plate to avail the electrical circuitry and the supply line inlet. Before going to step 3, make sure you read the manual that comes along with the dishwasher thoroughly. Different models have different specifications like air gap requirements and distance from the sink etc.
Step 3 – Connecting the drainpipe.
Link the drainpipe with the discharge pump. Next, loop up the drain hose close to the roof of the cabinet enclosure and secure it to the wall to prevent potential backflow from the sink. If you want to use an air gap, drill a hole for it in the countertop or mount it in a sink hole. Using spring clamps to secure the connections, connect the air gap to the drainpipes.
Next, unplug the inlet of the garbage disposal and insert the mouth of the drainpipe into it. If your kitchen doesn’t have a draining system for the dishwasher, replace the sink’s drainpipe with a branch tailpiece installed above the trap.
Step 4 – Connecting the supply line
Turn off the water supply and install a shut off valve with two valves to connect the supply line to hot water. One mouth of the valve should be connected to the sink faucet and the other to dishwasher supply line to provide hot water. Use a right angle elbow to connect the ends of the supply line to the dishwasher inlet and the shut off valve. Tighten the supply lines and firmly turn them a quarter with a wrench while using Teflon tape to prevent leaks.
Step 5 – Connecting the power supply
Always switch off the power to the dishwasher before fixing the electrical supply. Span the cable wire to the back of dishwasher’s electrical box. Plug the live (black colored) neutral (white colored) and earth (green colored) wires to their corresponding wires in the circuitry with the use of wire nuts.
Turn on the water, fix any leaks, switch on the power and run a full cycle on the dishwasher. Slide the machine carefully into the cabinet without disturbing the wires. Attach the dishwasher to the inner side of the kitchen shelf making sure that the screws don’t penetrate beyond the plywood. Finally attach the basal faceplate and the dishwasher is ready to work.
Tools and Materials required
- Measuring tape
- Cabinet enclosure
- Hole saw
- Screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Pliers
The dishwasher will be housed in a cabinet under the kitchen sink. The cabinet enclosure should be wide enough (around 24 inches) to ensure that the washer will fit into it. You don’t have to worry much about the height of the enclosure because modern dishwashers have adjustable heights. Next, use a hole saw to drill accordingly sized holes for the drainpipe, supply line and electrical wiring.
Step 2 – Getting the dishwasher ready
Remove the base plate to avail the electrical circuitry and the supply line inlet. Before going to step 3, make sure you read the manual that comes along with the dishwasher thoroughly. Different models have different specifications like air gap requirements and distance from the sink etc.
Step 3 – Connecting the drainpipe.
Link the drainpipe with the discharge pump. Next, loop up the drain hose close to the roof of the cabinet enclosure and secure it to the wall to prevent potential backflow from the sink. If you want to use an air gap, drill a hole for it in the countertop or mount it in a sink hole. Using spring clamps to secure the connections, connect the air gap to the drainpipes.
Next, unplug the inlet of the garbage disposal and insert the mouth of the drainpipe into it. If your kitchen doesn’t have a draining system for the dishwasher, replace the sink’s drainpipe with a branch tailpiece installed above the trap.
Step 4 – Connecting the supply line
Turn off the water supply and install a shut off valve with two valves to connect the supply line to hot water. One mouth of the valve should be connected to the sink faucet and the other to dishwasher supply line to provide hot water. Use a right angle elbow to connect the ends of the supply line to the dishwasher inlet and the shut off valve. Tighten the supply lines and firmly turn them a quarter with a wrench while using Teflon tape to prevent leaks.
Step 5 – Connecting the power supply
Always switch off the power to the dishwasher before fixing the electrical supply. Span the cable wire to the back of dishwasher’s electrical box. Plug the live (black colored) neutral (white colored) and earth (green colored) wires to their corresponding wires in the circuitry with the use of wire nuts.
Turn on the water, fix any leaks, switch on the power and run a full cycle on the dishwasher. Slide the machine carefully into the cabinet without disturbing the wires. Attach the dishwasher to the inner side of the kitchen shelf making sure that the screws don’t penetrate beyond the plywood. Finally attach the basal faceplate and the dishwasher is ready to work.