In today’s fast-paced world, household appliances like dishwashers have become indispensable, saving us valuable time and effort. If you’ve just purchased a new dishwasher or are planning to upgrade, installing it yourself can be a rewarding and cost-effective option.
Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned DIY enthusiast – with a little guidance and the right tools, you can successfully install your new dishwasher and enjoy its convenience in no time. Follow this comprehensive step-by-step guide to ensure a seamless installation process.
Before You Start – Get Your Appliance Installation Tools and Set-up
Before getting into the installation process, let’s prepare!
This helps you have all the necessary tools and materials on hand, reduce time spent on the dishwasher installation and be ready in any case.
What you’ll need to install your new dishwasher?
- The new dishwasher, check that its the right make and model, and get it out of the box
- An adjustable wrench
- Screwdriver, both Phillips and flathead
- Pliers
- A drain hose
- A level
- Some Teflon tape
- Some appliances come with their own dishwasher installation kit
- Safety goggles and gloves
- Bucket for excess water
- A mop to clean up afterward
- An extra hand, a dishwasher can be heavy so it would not hurt to make this a two-person project
How to prepare to install your new dishwasher?
Start by turning off the power supply to the kitchen or main installation area. You can do this on your main electrical panel. It usually looks like a white or black box and the kitchen area should be clearly marked.
This is the main safety precaution when installing a dishwasher. Because you re working with both water and electricity and should always bea top priority when working with most appliance installations.
Once you take care of the electricity by shutting it off, then you can clear out the space where your installation is taking place, that could be a counter in the kitchen or another placement for your new dishwasher.
Remember to take careful measurements of the space before deciding on a new dishwasher
Now, let’s install that new dishwasher!
Step 1: Get Rid of Your Old Dishwasher
The first step to getting a new appliance properly installed is getting rid of your old one. You can check Maydone’s guide on getting rid of old appliances. There are several choices, but make sure you do it with enough time to clean the space for your new device.
Start by disconnecting it from the power source, water supply, and drain. Make sure to have the same tools mentioned at the beginning of the blog to properly dispose of your old dishwasher and clean it up after it.
After disconnecting from the water and power, carefully detach the drain hose from either the sink’s drain or the garbage disposal unit.
It’s important and helpful to observe how these connections are set up, in case you need to replicate them for your new dishwasher.
Step 2: Locate Your Water Supply
Locating the hot water supply line will be key to a speedy and efficient dishwasher installation. These are usually under your sink or it could be a tube for a built-in counter.
You can use pliers to gently disconnect the water supply line from the valve, and replace it with the new one.
Another tip you can use is to use Teflon tape to wrap the threads of the valve, ensuring a secure and leak-free connection.
From your dishwasher installation kit or the appliance box, you will garb the new supply line and then attach it to the valve and tighten it.
Water supply installation is paramount for a great appliance experience and will help you avoid dishwasher issues and repairs in the future.
Step 3: Install the Drain Hose
Connect the new dishwasher’s drain hose to either your sink’s drain or the garbage disposal unit, to get rid of the dirty water from wash cycles.
If your sink has an existing dishwasher connection, you can remove the knockout plug from the disposal unit’s inlet port before attaching the drain hose.
Secure the dishwasher’s hose in place using a hose clamp to prevent leaks.
Step 4: Adjust Your Dishwasher’s Heigh
Make this new addition to your kitchen the most comfortable it can be by adjusting the height of the appliance.
Most dishwashers have adjustable legs to help level the appliance. All you need to do is use a wrench to adjust the legs so that the dishwasher can fit snugly where it’s supposed to be.
Afterward, place a level on the dishwasher’s door and adjust the legs as needed to ensure the appliance is perfectly level from front to back and side to side.
Step 5: Secure Your Dishwasher
Once the dishwasher is level, make sure its safely in place. You can use a screwdriver to attach brackets to the underside of the countertop so it’s secure. Preventing the dishwasher from tipping forward when the door is open.
Step 6: Connect To Power
Connect the dishwasher power cord to an electricity source.
Make sure that while you are installing your power cord remains accessible and able to reach the socket.
Step 9: Test the Installations
Almost done, now all you need to do is check if it all works.
- Load up your dishwasher
- Run a trial cycle
- Checks for leaks or any issues
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed your new dishwasher by yourself, or maybe you ended up calling the experts at Maydone, either way, you are now more familiar with the process and your new appliance.
Always keep in mind, if you encounter any challenges beyond your comfort level, consult a professional to ensure a safe and proper installation.
Enjoy the clean dishes and comfort of your brand-new dishwasher!
