Dishwasher Installation

Dishwasher installation requires a few steps of plumbing and electrical work. The exact details will vary depending on the dishwasher model, so consult the product’s manual for specific instructions. Most of the working parts — the electrical and water hookups — are concealed behind an access panel on the front bottom of the appliance. Crouch down or lay the dishwasher on its back to remove this panel and make the preliminary connections.

To make this job easier, enlist another person to help you ease the dishwasher onto its back (Photo 1). This will give you access to the drain hose connector and other essential components. Before you start, shut off the power to the dishwasher at your home’s breaker box and turn off the water supply valve, usually the hot-water shutoff under the sink. Also close the drain valve on your home’s waste line, if there is one.

After turning off the water and ensuring that all the pipes are completely dry, disconnect the old dishwasher’s drain hose from the tailpiece attached to your sink pipe or garbage disposal. Connect the new drain hose to the dishwasher and route it to the sink pipe or the drain. Use a clamp to secure the connection.

Most modern dishwashers connect to the household water supply through a short plastic or copper tubing. If your dishwasher is replacing an older unit that connected to a metal line, you will probably have to replace the entire water line. If the existing line is in good condition, you can reuse it. If not, you’ll need to buy flexible stainless steel lines at a hardware store or home center.

If your dishwasher is a built-in model, the plumbing connections will be at the rear of the unit. If it is a free-standing dishwasher, the connections will be at the front (Photo 2). Once you’ve made these initial connections, you can move the unit into place and adjust its feet. If the dishwasher isn’t level, you can correct it by loosening or tightening a nut on the front legs with an adjustable wrench. After adjusting the legs, place a level on top of the unit to check for levelness.

Once the dishwasher is in place, you can finish making the electrical connections and plug in the power cord. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to connect the dishwasher to the water supply and drain line. Turn on the water and test it with a faucet to see if you have any leaks.

You can install a free-standing or built-in dishwasher in your kitchen by following the manufacturer’s instruction manual. However, it’s important to know that the power and water connections must be made by a licensed tradesperson who is certified to work with aluminum wiring. You could be fined and denied future insurance claims if you touch your home’s wiring, sewer or water pipes without a license. This is especially true for dishwashers, which use high voltage and pressurized water.

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