How to Install a Dishwasher in the Kitchen
If you're thinking of installing a dishwasher in your kitchen, the primary need is space for it next to the plumbing outlets and electrical supply. A skilled do-it-yourselfer should be able to complete the dishwasher installation. If you must run electricity to the dishwasher, municipal codes may require that you hire an electrician for that task. A plumber should make the appropriate fittings for the supply line and the drain if the connections don't already exist. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Measuring tape
- 1 1/4-inch hole saw
- Drill
- 12-2 G electrical cable
- Wire nuts
- Pipe thread compound
- 3/8-inch NPT (National Pipe Thread) female fitting
- Braided steel supply hose
- Wrench
- Hose clamp
- Level
Instructions
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1
Remove the cabinet where you plan to install the dishwasher. Unscrew the cabinet from the adjacent cabinets and from the wall. Depending on the type of countertop, you may need to disconnect the cabinet there as well. Slide the cabinet out of the opening, and set it aside.
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2
Slide the dishwasher into position to see that it's going to fit. Pull the dishwasher back out of the cabinet. Measure from the water outlet on the dishwasher to the water supply valve under the sink to determine how long the water supply line should be. Measure for the electrical cord from the dishwasher's power supply box to the outlet under the sink. Add 3 to 4 extra inches for both.
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3
Cut three holes in the lower back side corner of the sink cabinet adjacent to where you are installing the dishwasher. Use a 1 1/4-inch hole saw attached to a drill to make the cuts. These holes are for the plumbing and electrical lines.
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4
Create the electrical wiring for the dishwasher. Connect 12-2 G electrical cable to the dishwasher's electrical wires. Fasten the black wires together, then the white, then the ground wires. Secure the connections with wire nuts.
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5
Run the electrical wire through one of the holes in the sink cabinet. Slide the wiring into the back of a male plug. Wrap the ground wire around the threads on the green terminal on the plug, the white wire around the silver terminal and the black wire around the gold terminal. Tighten all three screws with a screwdriver. Slide the front on the plug to cover the wiring.
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6
Apply some pipe thread compound to a 3/8-inch NPT (National Pipe Thread) female fitting. Securely attach the NPT to the water supply line valve on the dishwasher with a wrench. Connect the braided steel supply hose to the NPT.
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7
Push the supply hose through one of the holes in the cabinet wall. Thread the dishwasher's drain hose, which comes attached, through the remaining hole. Slide the dishwasher into position to give you the full length of each hose or cord.
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8
Screw the connection on the supply hose to the hot water supply line for the kitchen sink. Use a hose clamp to connect the dishwasher's drain hose to the sink's drain. If you have a garbage disposal unit, the drain hose may connect to it with the hose clamp.
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9
Level the dishwasher. Turn the dishwasher's leg adjustments either clockwise or counterclockwise as necessary to level it. Attach the dishwasher to the underside of the countertop with two screws that come with the dishwasher.
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10
Turn on the water to the dishwasher. Plug in the machine. Run a cycle. Check for leaks. If you find leaks, go back in to tighten the connections.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You may have to remove the lower front panel to access the electrical wiring for the dishwasher.
Buy a dishwasher supply kit that contains the fittings and supply hose.
The outlet you use for the dishwasher should be a ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI.
References
- Photo Credit Design Pics/Valueline/Getty Images
