A dishwasher is an efficient kitchen appliance that saves both water and electricity consumption, helping reduce labor-intensive kitchen tasks and costs. Just follow our step-by-step installation guide for one!
Shut off both power (at the circuit breaker) and water at your sink’s water supply valve.
Remove all packaging materials and reserve a large piece of cardboard for use during installation.
Electrical
Before using your dishwasher, the power and water supplies must first be connected. A hardwired model may use an appliance cord which plugs directly into a standard electrical outlet; otherwise it could connect via drain line which connects directly with your sink’s backside hose or garbage disposal.
Your manual will outline where drain and water supply connections should go, but for safety’s sake it is advisable to locate your home’s circuit breaker and switch it off before beginning work on your dishwasher. Also be sure to turn off water supply at either its main valve under the sink or through its hot-water valve in your kitchen before commencing any tasks.
Install your drain hose high on the rear side of your sink cabinet for optimal drain performance, to avoid backflow from your sink into it. When choosing new flexible stainless steel tubing as opposed to rigid copper lines for replacing existing lines. When doing so, wrap Teflon tape around its tip before screwing on a 90-degree brass fitting (Photo 2) before passing its other end through one of your dishwasher’s access holes at its base.
Plumbing
If you are installing a new dishwasher with rear hookups, tape all utility lines to the floor to avoid getting in your way as you lower it into place. Next, follow steps 8 through 12 of your appliance manual to connect water line and electrical cable before installing your unit. Wrap Teflon tape around male threads of 90-degree brass fitting attached to bottom of your unit before screwing it onto base with adjustable wrench tighten. Thread water-inlet port onto elbow of this fitting before tightening with wrench.
Before beginning work on this part of the dishwasher installation, ensure the electricity at your circuit breaker is off and shut off the water supply valve beneath your sink. Use a level to make sure that your new machine fits snugly against cabinet fronts; use pliers to adjust front leveling legs as necessary and follow your product manual’s directions for making electrical connections using twist-on wire connectors.
Racks
Based on your dish type, there are various dishwasher rack options to consider. An open rack provides more flexibility for quick wash cycles; however, careful loading may be required more often than with closed designs.
Peg racks feature small, straight legs extending out of their bases that help secure dishware such as plates, bowls and trays. To make sure the pegs are at an appropriate height for your glassware items, measure their maximum diameter including handle and add it to their manufacturer details for compartment measurements.
Monitor your dishwasher racks regularly for any signs of wear, such as nicks or scrapes which could expose metal and cause it to rust, ultimately plugging up your pump. A dishwasher rack repair kit could contain vinyl coating designed specifically to protect it.
Drain
Your dishwasher requires access to both a water supply and drain line for proper functioning. Before beginning installation, ensure both power and water have been turned off – switch off at your panel box, unplug outlets as applicable, or at either main water line or sink stop valve depending on plumbing setup.
Start by opening up the access cover over your dishwasher’s drain line connection, as your instructions should indicate where this should be found – typically it should be found either near or at the bottom front of the appliance.
Connect the drain hose from your dishwasher to its cabinet hole, followed by your garbage disposal or sink drain tailpiece. Your municipality may require you to install an air gap or high loop, though that would likely add additional work for yourself. Back siphonage is often an issue so consulting a plumber about installing such solutions might also help.