It’s rare to find a modern household that doesn’t have a dishwasher installed today. This is because they can save a lot of time, effort and money, and it’s much more convenient to throw your dirty dishes into a machine than wash them yourselves. As explained here, there may be many more benefits to opting for the dishwasher.
However, you can only experience the benefits of this appliance once it’s been installed, which may be the most difficult part. However, it doesn’t have to be difficult, and the installation can be problem-free as long as you know what you’re doing.
Dishwashers generally come with a manual which specifically explains how to install the appliance and informs customers how to use it, discussing individual features and functions specific to the model.
This article will provide a step-to-step guide on how to install a dishwasher correctly. Although some dishwashers will differ slightly, this will be a general guide that should apply to most standard dishwashers.
1. Read through your dishwasher user manual first
Before installing your dishwasher, it’s important to read through its user manual, and installation guide, and any other paperwork that comes with it. This will allow you to get to know your dishwasher, and it will tell you how to install it and if there are any specific instructions for your particular model.
2. Plan where your dishwasher will be located
Before installing your dishwasher, you must know where it will go. This means that you must know the measurements to make space for it. You must also be sure of what type of dishwasher you have; most household dishwashers are built-in and can therefore be put in place of a storage cabinet.
Dishwashers must be placed in the kitchen, which may take priority over the washing machine, which can be located elsewhere if necessary. Ideally, your dishwasher could be placed next to the washing machine so they can share the waste/drain pipe, but it all depends on how your house/kitchen is arranged.
3. Position and measure the water and electrical lines
It’s advised that to ensure that everything is connected correctly and efficiently, you should measure out and stick down the pipes so they are secure. To do this, you should locate the two ‘front-to-back’ paths that can be found under the dishwasher.
These are believed to prevent the copper tubes and electric wires from interfering with the motor. It’s then advised to measure the distance between these paths to the sides of the dishwasher, noting which side is meant for the copper tubing and which is for the metal wiring, before taping them both down so that they follow the correct paths.
4. Connect the water supply
Before connecting the dishwasher to the water supply, you should turn off the mains water supply. The dishwasher’s water supply will be found under the kitchen sink, and one end of the dishwasher’s cold water hose should be connected to the water supply pipe. This may require users to use a ‘Y connector’ or a ‘self-tapping screw’.
The other end of this hose should be connected to the rear of the dishwasher, using a hose clamp to tighten and secure the water pipe. The appliance will be tested for potential leaking later, as discussed in step 9.
5. Connect the dishwasher to an energy supply
It would help if you plugged the dishwasher’s power cable into a nearby socket without switching the power on. There will be different coloured wires that need to be connected to their corresponding colour (generally black-to-black and white-to-white), before tightening them with wire nuts and covering them with electrical tape.
The copper piping should now be connected around the green screw, which should be tightened using a screwdriver. It’s incredibly important to ensure that all power is turned off while connecting to an energy supply, and it should only be turned on when the whole dishwasher is connected and secured.
6. Connect to a waste/drain pipe
The dishwasher’s drain pipe will be positioned in the rear of the appliance, and it should be connected to a waste pipe. This waste pipe will likely be the same one that is used by your washing machine.
It’s important to ensure that the drain pipe isn’t kinked or wrapped around anything, or it may get blocked. You should then secure each end of the pipe using a hose clamp which can be tightened by turning the screw.
If you can’t connect your dishwasher’s drain hose to the waste pipe, you can connect it to the sink drain with a suitable connector or spigot.
7. Securely position the dishwasher and slide it in place
Now that everything is connected, you can position the dishwasher in its location.
The appliance must be manoeuvred carefully and gently, and it should easily slide into its rightful place, which will probably be under the counter.
You can then adjust the feet on the dishwasher’s base so that the mounting brackets are level with the other kitchen cabinets.
8. Make sure all parts of the dishwasher are securely fastened
Before turning on the water and power supply and performing a test run of the dishwasher, you should make some final checks to ensure that everything is secure and that there are no parts unfastened.
You may need to fasten the dishwasher to the underside of the kitchen counter by screwing the mounting brackets just so that it stays in place.
9. Check that it works properly and that there’s no leakage
Once you’ve installed the dishwasher and fastened it, you can turn on the water and power supply. Over the next few hours, keep checking to see if there are any leaks at the water connections.
If there are signs of leakage, turn off the power/water supply and tighten the parts. If there’s no sign of leakage, you can test-run the dishwasher and it should run smoothly and effectively, and then you’re good to go.
10. If in doubt, recruit a professional
While this job shouldn’t be too complex, it’s sometimes best left to the professionals. If you’re unsure how to install your dishwasher yourself or have any uncertainties, then it may be best to swallow your pride and hire a plumber who knows what they’re doing.
Some retailers will allow customers to install it professionally; otherwise, you can recruit somebody.
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