Dishwashers can be heavy appliances, so have at least one other person assist you when taking it out of its box and placing it on an appropriate surface such as cardboard to protect the flooring. Finally, shut off both electricity and the water supply valve located under your sink before starting up your machine.
Locate the electrical terminal box by opening up its access panel and feeding wires through it. Connect black and white wires using wire nuts before replacing the terminal box cover.
1. Read the Manual
Assure that the dishwasher you select fits into your space by consulting its dimensions or measuring cabinet and sink openings to determine if it will fit.
As part of your preparations for installing a dishwasher drain hose, cut down the factory hose so it reaches one tailpiece on an air gap fitting mounted on either your countertop or sink deck. Next, connect it with the 7/8-inch hose running from this air gap fitting directly to your garbage disposal nipple – these steps should all make for an efficient drain hose connection system.
Once finished, remove power to the unit by unplugging it or switching off its circuit breaker switch (if applicable). Also disconnect its water source line and junction box cover before powering down.
2. Install the Drain Hose
Your dishwasher may come equipped with its own drain hose or you may have to purchase one separately. It typically connects to an air gap under your sink or directly to your garbage disposal unit; for installation instructions please follow manufacturer guidelines.
Install the water supply line as well. Locate its inlet, which should be a round threaded opening with either female threads that accept standard water lines, or male-threaded fittings which require special adapters for connections.
Unscrew the compression nut holding your existing faucet dishwasher supply valve to the copper hot water pipe beneath your sink, according to Stumpr1. Next, disconnect and replace with your new dishwasher supply line.
3. Connect the Water Supply
Be sure that the electrical wiring of the dishwasher is GFCI-protected and connected to its proper circuit breaker, then turn off and use a non-contact voltage tester to test for no electrical flow in its wires. Connect one end of your water supply line to a shut-off valve while connecting another end directly into your dishwasher’s inlet using an elbow with Teflon tape seal for leakproof use.
Carefully tilt the unit on its back to remove its access panel and make initial power, water, and drain connections. Thread the appliance cord through its junction box and secure its three exposed wires using twist-on wire connectors; additionally thread your drain hose onto its drain pipe while arching it high enough to prevent backwash.
4. Connect the Power Cord
Once all the wires and hoses have been connected, turn back on both electricity and water at their respective sources – both through circuit breakers or shutoff valves – before plugging the cord back into your dishwasher and conducting a test run to make sure everything works as it should and fits flush against cabinets.
With help from a friend, tilt and move the dishwasher on an upright platform onto cardboard before taking it to its final location. Make sure the drain hose arches higher than its drain inlet to prevent backwash from your sink before sliding it into its cabinet opening. Ensure power cord and supply line are routed through cabinet as planned before tightening each end of short drain hose running from air gap to garbage disposer or sink drain with hose clamps to secure its position.
5. Mount the Unit
With help from at least one other person, carefully tilt and slide your dishwasher upright into its place. As you go along, feed hoses and cables through cabinetry without crushing or kinking them, making sure the top of the dishwasher is flush with the lip of its cabinet and adjust front level legs as necessary.
Install the dishwasher drain line above a garbage disposal to avoid backflow, and if your machine features an air gap connection first.
Once your dishwasher has been properly installed, reconnect the electricity via its circuit breaker and the water via its shutoff valve under your sink before testing to make sure everything works as it should.