How to Install a Dishwasher

Whether you’re replacing an old dishwasher or installing a new one, an important thing to remember is to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The information contained in the manual that came with your purchase will properly guide you on the steps to take and where to make the connections.

A dishwasher is normally positioned in line with or beside your kitchen sink. This can fit under the kitchen counter with a standard height of 34 inches. If you don’t have an existing dishwasher, you need to drill a three-inch hole in the cabinet wall that separates the dishwasher from the cabinet space under your sink.

There are three main connections involved when installing a dishwasher. These are the water supply, the drain line and the electrical connection. Make sure to first turn off the main power and close the hot water valve.

Of the three connections, you can go with the drain hose first. Connect this hose with a supply pipe preferably one made from durable copper as recommended by experts. This component is the most tricky to install as it needs to be installed, strapped and screwed using a plumber’s trapping at a high level than the drain inlet to the cabinet wall specifically in an inverted U to avoid backflow from the sink going into the dishwasher. To prevent leaks, you can put a hose clamp at the end of the dishwasher’s drain line.

Next, connect the water supply line to the hot water input valve of the dishwasher. You can just tighten them without having to solder. But here’s a hint. Homeowners can actually save more energy if they connect their dishwasher to the cold water valve. This is because the unit’s heating element takes up less power compared to a water heater.

For the electrical connection, you only need to clamp the wires to the dishwasher’s junction box. Whether your wires are the metal sheathed BX cable type of the vinyl-wrapped Romex, follow the same step. Close the box using the metal cover plate and screw the plate to the box after attaching the wires. Remember to connect the same color of wires such black to black, white to white and green to green and tighten them using the wire nut.

Once you’re done with the three main connections, you can now slide the dishwasher into its designated space under the kitchen counter. As you do this, thread the wires through the hole in the cabinet wall. Check then that the unit is level on both sides. When you’re sure that’s already level, secure the dishwasher to the countertop’s underside. Screw it via the mounting brackets. After this step, you can turn back the power and water supply to check for leaks at the water connections. If you observe water leaking, just slightly tighten the fittings.

Once there are no leaks, you can then test run the unit to determine if it’s working properly. If everything’s okay, you’ve done a good job. You may have to put your moldings, though, for some finishing touches.