An electric dishwasher is an amazing modern invention that makes cleaning dishes much simpler. Before installing one in an existing cabinet or retrofitting an existing unit, there are some key points you need to keep in mind before beginning this process.
As soon as the power and water supply is turned off from your breaker box or shutoff valve under your sink, make sure a bucket, sponge, and rag are available to catch any excess liquid that drains out when disconnecting lines.
Make Sure It Fits
Before beginning installation of your dishwasher, lay down surface protection such as cardboard or drop cloth in front of where it will be placed. Set any parts or tools packaged separately aside temporarily. Open and remove all shipping materials before turning over your boxed unit to identify power cord connection fittings (green wire from appliance cord to green grounding screw; white neutral wire to white dishwasher lead and black hot wire to black dishwasher lead).
Once you can see these connections, disconnect the old drain hose from either your garbage disposal or sink pipe and route a new one directly to where your dishwasher will be connected. Make sure that it can fit smoothly before using a level to adjust its feet until its front edge matches that of the cabinet fronts.
Measure the Space
While dishwashers may not be the focal point of kitchens, they’re essential in making sure your cabinetry runs efficiently and smoothly. An improper fit could create serious complications and even damage cabinetry or the appliance; to avoid this scenario, it is crucial that you understand standard dishwasher dimensions and how to measure space effectively.
Start off by measuring the width of both right and left sides of your cabinet opening using a tape measure, taking notes. Move behind your cabinets and extend your tape measure out further to determine depth of cabinet space – this should give an accurate reflection of whether your dishwasher will fit – make sure that there is sufficient room to close cabinet door without interfering with installation process!
Drill the Holes
An accurate drill will save you much frustration later when installing your dishwasher, so take your time when drilling holes for water supply, drain, and electrical wiring. Better to spend a bit more time up front rather than discover that something doesn’t fit!
Your task may include disconnecting and routing a new drain hose through your sink pipe or garbage disposal to connect with its new location, then unscrewing any access panels at the base of the dishwasher in order to do this.
Attach a 90-degree brass fitting tightly onto the taped inlet pipe, so as to prevent its protrusion through the cabinet floor. In addition, pass the copper supply line from your shutoff valve through a compression elbow before connecting them together.
Gather the Tools
Installing a dishwasher requires several tools, including a screwdriver, wrenches and pair of pliers. A bucket, sponge and mop may also come in handy to clean up any electrical or water spills that may occur. Before beginning installation of your new appliance, ensure electricity has been turned off via its circuit breaker in your main panel – as well as turning off water at its main shut-off valve, typically found under your sink.
Connect the drain hose to your dishwasher’s connecting hole, and place a cloth, rug or cardboard under it as protection from marring your flooring. Also get a shallow pan and bucket to collect any excess water when disconnecting connections from the connections when unplugging them.
Read the Manual
Make sure that you follow your dishwasher’s installation instructions for water, drain and power connections. Once these have been established, turn on the water supply and run a wash cycle to test for leaks.
Local plumbing codes often stipulate the installation of an air gap to prevent dirty sink water from mixing into clean dishwasher water and vice versa. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions when mounting this air gap for best results.
If you’re having difficulty reaching or dislodging the leveling legs located under each corner of your dishwasher, or can’t seem to move them on their own, enlist professional assistance immediately. A plumber will help ensure that your machine is correctly hooked up, saving both money and headaches in the future.