Basic Dishwasher Installation Tips

Installing a built-in dishwasher requires basicthat close to where it will be installed.
mechanical, electrical, and plumbing skills, so the6. Connect the drain hose to the dishwasher's
average handy person can install a dishwasher in 1drain port if it did not come factory-installed.
to 3 hours depending on if it is a new installationPosition the electrical wiring and water supply lines
or a replacement dishwasher. If you are replacingso that the base of the dishwasher will not catch
an existing dishwasher, it will take less time.them. Slide the dishwasher in front of the opening
New Installationso that you can feed the drain hose through the
1. Prepare the cabinet area in which thehole you drilled for it.
dishwasher will be installed. The opening should be7. Inch-by-inch slide the dishwasher into the
24 inches wide for most models, 24 inches deepcabinet as you fee the drain hose through its hole.
and 34 1/2" from the floor to the underside ofStop with a few inches left and make sure
the countertop. The back wall can not have pipesnothing is kinked or pinched. If all is in good order,
or wires on it. The power and water supply linespush the dishwasher all the way in so that the
will come into the cabinet in the 4"X4" area at theedges of the door are behind the cabinet frame.
bottom back of the cabinet through a 1 1/2" hole.Test the door for smooth opening and closing.
Make sure the floor is level and the cabinet is8. Level the dishwasher front to back and side to
squared.side by adjusting the leveling legs.
2. Choose your drain method based on your local9. Align the brackets and secure the dishwasher
codes and height of the drain tee. Some codesto the countertop according the manufacturer's
require an air gap. If the drain tee is less than 18instructions.
inches from the floor, you must use an air gap. If10. Through the access panel, connect the water
an air gap is not required and the tee is over 18supply line and electrical supply. Also connect the
inches from the floor, you can use the loopdrain hose under the sink. You are ready to do a
method for the drain connection. If the drain hosewet test with the "rinse only"cycle. Check for
will be connected to a garbage disposal, you haveleaks and proper draining.
to remove the knock out plug so that theReplacing an Existing Dishwasher
dishwasher will drain.You will not need to drill the holes since they will
3. Inspect or install wiring by making sure there isalready be there from the existing dishwasher.
a 120V, 60Hz dedicated circuit with a 15 orHowever, you do need to inspect the wiring and
20-amp breaker or time delay fuse. Wiring has toplumbing to make sure they are capable of
be 2 wire with a ground and rated for 75 degreesservicing the new dishwasher. Once that is
Celcius or 176 degrees Farenheit. The wiring canestablished you should turn the power off at the
come into the cabinet from either side in the rearmain and turn the water supply off before
bottom area. The hole should be a maximum of 1beginning the removal of the old dishwasher. All
1/2", and it can be the same hole used the thelines and wires must first be disconnected. Take
water supply line and drain hose if its beingthe drain hose off the garbage disposal or drain
hardwired. If it is a flexible power cord, it mustpipe under the sink. If the dishwasher has a
have a separate hole. Hardwiring cable will comepower cord, you need to unplug it. If the
up the right side along the bottom 24 inches ofdishwasher is hardwired, you have to open the
the cabinet to the right front electrical connectionaccess panel and electrical junction box. Remove
on the dishwasher.the wire nuts and disconnect the black and white
4. Prepare the water supply line that enterswires. Also remove the ground screw to
through the 1 1/2" hole in the rear bottom of thedisconnect the green ground wire. Use a catch
cabinet. Turn off the water to install a handpan while disconnecting the water supply line. Once
shut-off valve under the sink. The waterall of these lines and wires have been
connection is on the left side of the dishwasher.disconnected, you can take out the screws and
Use 3/8" O.D. copper line to extend a minimum ofbrackets that hold the dishwasher in its place and
19 inches from the rear wall. The water heatercarefully pull out the old dishwasher.
should be set between 120 and 150 degreesThen follow the same procedures to install the
(closer to 120 if children are in the home tonew dishwasher with the exception of drilling the
prevent scalding accidents) and the pressureholes and running the wiring and water supply lines.
should be between 20-120 PSI.Once you have installed your new dishwasher and
5. Prepare the dishwasher by checking the doortested it for leaks, you are ready to start
balance and adjusting the spring tension ifcleaning.
necessary. If the legs have to be attached, do