A dishwasher can be an invaluable addition to your kitchen, but before it can be put into action it must first be installed properly.
Step one is always switching off electricity (at your circuit breaker) and water (at the valve under your sink). Step two involves unplugging both, then unhooking your front access panel from water supply/drain hose connections and disconnecting them both.
1. Read the Manual
Your dishwasher installation manual may vary from that for the model you’re installing; therefore, it is vital to read both before getting started. Each dishwasher’s manual will contain specific instructions for connecting electrical, water supply and drain lines as well as making any required connections to them.
Before touching your new dishwasher, turn off its electricity at the circuit breaker and shut off its water source from under your sink via its valve. If you don’t feel confident turning them off yourself, contact a plumber who can do it safely for you.
Install the dishwasher as per its manual using its front access panel and remove any screws anchoring it to the cabinet and loosen its leveling legs at the rear. Use pliers if necessary to raise or lower it until it fits flush with both countertops and cabinets, using wood runners from packaging as shims when necessary. Connect any wires as required according to its manual.
2. Turn Off the Water and Electricity
Once you’ve read your dishwasher manual in detail, it is time to switch off both electricity (at the circuit breaker) and water supply line (usually via valve under sink). Turning all the way right will shut it off.
As part of your plumbing maintenance routine, it’s also necessary to switch off the water supply tube leading from your sink – typically known as a threaded nipple – using wrench. Be sure to have a bucket or bowl available so as to capture any residual water left inside the supply pipe.
Next, unscrew the screws from the bottom access panel of your dishwasher in order to gain better visibility of its inner workings. Unplug and disconnect both drain hose and inlet water supply hose from it before unplugging the entire appliance if it had one built-in air gap that needs to be taken care of now.
3. Remove the Old Dishwasher
Before disconnecting power and water supply lines from an old dishwasher, first remove its front access panel. Open up its junction box beneath it. Look for any strained relief nuts or clamps holding electrical wires together that need to be released, and unclip these. Also consider keeping a bucket or bowl underneath where water supply connects so as to capture any additional leakage during this step.
Disconnect the water supply line by loosening its nut with a wrench, then allow it to drain completely. Once water and power connections have been disconnected, lay down a blanket or piece of cardboard in front of the dishwasher so it will be easier for moving purposes.
Next, locate the drain hose and unplug it from either your sink drain pipe or garbage disposal. A bucket or bowl should also be prepared to collect any spilled water that may come pouring from disconnecting it.
4. Install the New Dishwasher
Always follow the old carpenter’s adage “measure twice, cut once.” When installing new appliances such as a dishwasher into an existing kitchen design, inaccurate measurements could result in an appliance that doesn’t suit its surroundings and fails to match up perfectly with its design.
Start by measuring the width and depth of your current dishwasher space. Take measurements on both sides to check if there are any discrepancies between sides. Next, measure its height; taking measurements both left and right of cabinet opening will give an accurate representation.
Finally, take measurements of the depth of your cabinet space. Place one end of a tape measure against the back wall, and extend it forward through to the front edge – this distance should be 24 inches for standard dishwashers; but don’t forget to account for its closed door length!