Dishwashers are an invaluable asset in any kitchen. However, before beginning installation in your own home, first make sure that both electricity and water supplies have been shut off.
Utilise the help of another person to assist with placing the dishwasher onto its back. Look out for a small access panel near its base, lift it, and lift.
Installing the Water Supply Line
Your dishwasher needs access to hot water from your plumbing system in order to operate effectively, so to connect one you should begin by shutting off your home’s main water valve and connecting an appropriate supply line.
Use a screwdriver to unhook the front access panel from your new dishwasher in order to expose its terminal box, then disconnect any electrical and drain hose connections using some cardboard or cloth as protection on the floor.
Start by connecting the copper tubing from your dishwasher cabinet to the water valve under your sink, depending on your model. A 90-degree elbow fitting may need to be added at one end of the tubing coming off the dishwasher inlet valve; use a compression nut that can be tightened by hand and later with a wrench for this step, and attach a tubing cutter so any extra tubing can be cut away easily.
Installing the Electrical Cable
Dishwashers are labor-saving appliances that save both water and energy. When installing or replacing an old dishwasher, be sure to connect all plumbing and electrical lines correctly in order to avoid leaks or any potential dangers.
Before beginning, make sure that both the water supply and power cord have been switched off and unplugged. Disconnect your existing line and install a longer stainless steel braided water supply line fitted with a dual outlet valve (preferably labeled for dishwasher use) using care as you move it under your sink to avoid kinking the tubing.
Remove the access panel on the bottom of your dishwasher and identify its terminal connectors – usually brass screws designed for connecting hot, white neutral, and green grounding wires as well as grounding screw. A pigtail or wire with plug can be used to connect these wires together or they can be permanently hardwired into circuit wires in your wall (this method is known as hardwiring). Feed the appliance power cord through each terminal connector while simultaneously securing its strain relief screw with it.
Installing the Drain Hose
Before doing anything else, have a helper gently lift and remove the dishwasher from its cabinet. Store it on a cart or box to avoid scratching countertops and cabinets during transportation.
Before disconnecting water or electrical cables, carefully examine the bottom of your dishwasher to identify where these lines and wires should run; mark these on the floor of your cabinet as you find them.
Drill a hole into the wall between the sink alcove and dishwasher cabinet, or use an existing hole large enough to accommodate your new drain line’s diameter. Make sure the siphon break (either as a high loop in a hose or air gap device) is installed as close as possible to both drains, as well as before any garbage disposal P-trap to prevent sewer gases from entering.
Connect the hose to either the small side of your air gap, if present, or to the Y-branch tailpiece on your sink drain (you will require a 7/8-inch inlet connection for this task). Secure with a hose clamp.
Installing the Lower Access Panel
Assuming you aren’t hardwiring your dishwasher (in which case a licensed electrician should handle the electrical wiring), most of its working components, including power cord, water inlet valve and drain hose connections, will be accessible through an access panel on its front bottom side. Simply flip it onto its backside to remove this panel and make your connections.
Locate the water supply inlet, usually a circular opening with either male or female threads. Use an appropriate adapter to connect your new water line into this inlet; ensure there is a 90-degree bend at one end to avoid kinks in its path.
Locate and disconnect any exposed electrical wire connectors in the terminal box, with care, alternating green to green, white to white, and black to black connections. Thread your power cord through its strain relief before replacing the terminal box cover and powering on your dishwasher again to run through its full cycle before placing back its lower access panel.