How to Install a Dishwasher

The dishwasher is one of the many home appliances that have made the life easy for us. The dishwasher eases the effort of washing dishes. This mechanical device is very handy as it saves your time, energy and is also more efficient at washing dishes. The dishwasher deploys hot water and powerful detergents in the process of cleaning. Hence, one gets better results (in this case, clean and nice smelling utensils) from a dishwasher.

Most of the dishwashers are of a standard size. In the United States, it would be 24 inch depth and 34 inch tall. In Europe, the dimensions would be 60 cm in width and 85 cm in height. The dishwashers are made in such dimensions, so that they would fit perfectly under kitchen countertops of standard height. Some of the dishwashers can also be attached with countertops of the same pattern that already exist in your kitchen.

How to Install a Dishwasher

Installation of a dishwasher is not impossible, if you follow the instructions in the right sequence. The following instructions can help you install a dishwasher with ease. Let's take a look.

Step 1: The Right Location and the Tool Box

Installing a dishwasher under the kitchen countertop makes the kitchen look attractive and helps manage space. Find a place next to the sink cabinet, so that the inlet and outlet of the water for the dishwasher is facilitated.

To install your dishwasher, you will need some basic plumbing tools, that include screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, teflon tape. In addition to this, you will also need the inlet and outlet pipes as well as their tap attachments. Most of the times, the pipes are provided by the manufacturer with the dishwasher. However, you can also purchase them, if not supplied.

Step 2: Inlet and Outlet Pipes

Your dishwasher needs two types of pipage, the inlet and outlet pipes. The inlet pipe carries in the water for washing and the outlet takes away the dirty water. If your dishwasher does not have the facility of internal water heating, then you need to attach it to the hot water pipe. Most of the houses have a hot water connection under the sink (inlet pipe that lets in the water, hot or cold, and the outlet pipe that acts as a drainage for the dirty water).

Drill a 3-inch hole into the wall of the sink cabinet on the side where your dishwasher is going to be situated. The inlet and the outlet pipes pass through these holes. Next, attach the plastic pipes that come with the washer to the appropriate inlet and outlet lines under the sink, after passing them through the holes. Enforce both ends of the plastic pipes with the teflon tape, before starting the water supply. Do not interchange the inlet and the outlet lines, as it would end up in a disaster.

Step 3: Supply of Electricity

The third step is to provide an electricity supply to your dishwasher. If you do not have a plug point below the kitchen countertop, near the dishwasher, you need to call an electrician to get it done. It the plug point has already been made, then all you have to do is plug in the washer and give it a test run. If everything is done properly, the dishwasher should work well.

Installing a dishwasher is very easy and also a great learning experience. It will also save you the installation charges.