Are You an Aspiring DIY-er Looking to save some money with DIY dishwasher installation? HomeTips’ guide demonstrates how to connect all necessary water, drain and electrical lines for success!
First, turn the unit onto its back to make its panel cover at its base more accessible. Next, identify the dishwasher’s water inlet and wrap it in Teflon tape before attaching its pipe line.
Installing the Drain Hose
Before beginning to install the drain hose, be sure to properly prepare it. Start by making sure it fits snugly over the pump outlet, and tighten a clamp or spring clip (typically included with new hose) around its circumference.
First, remove the front access panel of your dishwasher (laying a few old towels under it), disconnecting its wiring and water source – keeping a bowl and nut driver handy is recommended if any water remains.
With pliers in hand, remove the wire hose clamp that holds your drain hose to the pump and snip off its end where it connects to it. Also ensure you have a Y-branch tailpiece to match your sink drain’s size – available at most home improvement stores – then route your hose directly towards it, taking note of where its route will lead and any possible kinks or bends that arise along its route.
Installing the Water Supply Line
Your dishwasher requires a water supply line to connect to the hot water valve underneath your sink, making this project relatively straightforward with only limited tools required and some elbow grease required.
Begin by turning off the water supply to the sink and placing a protective covering such as tarpaulin or cardboard on your kitchen floor to prevent scratches. Next, remove the kickplate on the bottom of your dishwasher to gain access to its junction box.
Unscrew the terminal screws holding wires together and carefully pull them out, unhooking your drain hose from either your garbage disposal or sink tailpiece, as well as disconnecting its inlet pipe from its brass fitting on your new dishwasher’s water inlet pipe. Now, replace your existing faucet’s tailpiece with one that connects directly to your new dishwasher (you may require purchasing an adapter from a hardware store if this option doesn’t exist) while making sure copper tubing is cut close to it and the brass adapter sealed tightly against watertight sealing tape – this should make for a watertight seal between all elements!
Installing the Electrical Connections
If you’re upgrading an existing dishwasher, make sure you purchase a stainless steel braided supply line specifically designated for dishwashers in order to prevent leaks. In addition, an appliance-grade power cord with thicker wires than standard light cords should be purchased to safely carry current through electrical installations.
Before beginning, turn off both your power to the dishwasher at its circuit breaker and water supply (typically under your sink) using the nearest shutoff valves (usually hot water supply under sink). Carefully lay your machine back onto its back side in order to access its front access panel and unbolt its front cover.
Connect one end of the new water supply tube to the shutoff valve and connect its other end to your dishwasher’s inlet valve, using a tube-bending spring as necessary to shape copper tubing if necessary. Next, connect a dual outlet valve by attaching its tubing directly to both outlets before tightening by hand then turning with wrench for one quarter turn only.
Installing the Dishwasher
Before installing or replacing an old dishwasher, always refer to its owner’s manual for precise installation instructions. Make sure both electricity (at the circuit breaker) and water (via valve under sink) have been turned off prior to beginning installation or replacement.
Your new dishwasher should include an access tool to help drill holes for running the drain hose, supply line and power cord through. In addition, a GFCI-protected, 120V electrical receptacle should also be available so you can plug your new appliance into it.
If using copper water lines, make sure they come equipped with 90-degree elbows at each end so as to fit directly into the dishwasher inlet (Photo 11). Alternatively, install a flexible stainless steel line from your sink’s valve to the fitting on the back of your dishwasher; just be careful not to kink it!