Let another person assist in unboxing and placing the dishwasher on a piece of cardboard to protect the floor, then tipping it to make its connections easier to access.
Turn off both electricity and water supply to your dishwasher at your breaker panel and at its valve under the sink, respectively.
Prep the Area
Be it an upgrade, replacement, or brand new installation – whether replacing an older dishwasher or installing one in a different location – the first step should always be ensuring the area is suitable. This includes having adequate cabinet opening dimensions, water supply/drainline connections, as well as providing for any necessary air gaps that might be required to properly use your appliance.
Shut off power and water sources to your current dishwasher before the delivery team arrives, and remove it from its cabinet home.
Use a bath towel or piece of cardboard to protect the floor and countertops as you slide out your old dishwasher. Remove its front access panel, unplug its power cord from its terminal box on the front, separating the three wires – hot, neutral and grounding wire – using wire strippers or pliers and unplugging them from their terminals before feeding its drain hose into a bucket or sink before shutting off water at your kitchen shut-off valve under your sink.
Prepare the Dishwasher
Dishwashers have become an indispensable kitchen appliance, saving us both time and effort in the kitchen. But to perform at its optimal best, this appliance requires regular attention from its user to maintain peak performance.
To keep your dishwasher running smoothly, it is essential to regularly inspect it for food residue or crumbs before every wash cycle and regularly clean its filter located at the bottom. A dirty filter may prevent water and detergent from freely flowing through, and can ultimately result in less effective washing results.
Use vinegar and a rag to regularly wipe down your dishwasher door seal, to clear away any build-up of dirt. If your machine features a reversible pump – which switches between pumping spray arms and draining the dishes – make sure that it is adjusted as specified in its manual. Finally, take note of local water hardness levels so you can adjust its internal softening system appropriately, to guarantee sparkling clean dishes every time!
Locate the Water Supply
As soon as possible, switch off both electricity and water to your dishwasher at its breaker box and shutoff valve. Also consider purchasing and using a current tester from your local home center so as to ensure no one touches a live electrical wire during assembly or repair.
Locate your kitchen’s water supply line, typically installed beneath the sink. Make sure it reaches your dishwasher without being compressed or kinked – for durability consider opting for braided stainless steel line instead.
Before connecting the power cord to your new dishwasher, lay it flat and remove its bottom access panel to visually assess where its connection points lie. Make preliminary connections, connecting green wire with green grounding screw; white with lead; and black hot wire with drain fitting using thread seal tape and hand tightening for best results. Using thread seal tape may prevent overtightening.
Install the Dishwasher
Put the dishwasher on its back to access panel cover, then unscrew the nut that holds the water supply line at a 90-degree fitting. If the old line is rusted or has become kinked, replace it with new flexible stainless steel line (available at hardware and home centers), designated specifically for dishwasher use in order to avoid sink clogs. Depending on local plumbing codes, new lines must also include an air gap (small fitting in drain) to provide leak-free connections.
Electrical: If you’re installing a heavy-duty appliance power cord, locate and open up its front access panel to visually inspect and disconnect wire connections. Follow manufacturer’s instructions when connecting new power cords – typically by attaching green grounding screw to metal screw in terminal box and white neutral wire and black hot wire to respective screws on new power cord.
Reinstall the front access panel and replace its cover. Use a level to make sure that the dishwasher isn’t leaning in any one direction, then drive screws through its mounting brackets to secure its position.