Installing a dishwasher: from the water inlet to the drain

Are you sure you need a professional to install your dishwasher? With the instructions that follow, you should be able to complete this operation on your own. Follow the 8 steps and you will soon no longer have to wash your plates, glasses and cutlery by hand!

Step 1: choose the right place

If you plan to install a new kitchen, you should place the dishwasher where water and electricity connections are available from the start. When installing a dishwasher in an existing kitchen, you may need to remove or move some furniture or cabinetry to position the dishwasher in exactly the right place.

Step 2: choose the right dishwasher

Most dishwashers have the standard dimensions so that they can be easily integrated into an equipped kitchen. Freestanding dishwashers are also available so you can install them freestanding. This is useful if you have a lot of space and there is no room for a dishwasher in the current fitted kitchen. If you have limited space, you can install a particularly narrow dishwasher. In addition to the standard models with a width of 60 cm, dishwashers with a width of 45 cm are also available today.

Step 3: turn off the main water supply

You know where to plug in your new dishwasher and machine has just been delivered to you. Now everything should be rolling! First, start by shutting off the main water connection. It is usually in the basement in houses and in the bathroom for apartments. In some large buildings, it may happen that the main tap is in a room that is not accessible to everyone. In this case, you must ask the owner to give you access.

Step 4: connect to the water supply

Your new dishwasher is equipped with a water inlet hose and a water outlet hose. Under your sink you will find a valve, which usually has a free fitting, especially for a dishwasher. If this is not the case, you must replace the existing single equipment with a double connection. So you have an extra port to which you can connect your dishwasher. It is best to place a bucket or bowl under the drain, as water can escape when the valve is opened. Open the free valve and connect the dishwasher water supply hose to it. Tighten the cap firmly.

Step 5: optionally install a shut-off valve

This step is optional, but recommended if your new dishwasher does not come with a shut-off valve. A high-quality water stop reliably protects you from flooding in the kitchen. There are different mechanical and electronic variants. This is a pipe with an additional valve that you install instead of the regular water supply pipe. A stopcock with a work surface is practical. You can adjust a certain amount of water. If the amount of water is exceeded (for example because water is constantly flowing from a leaking pipe), a shut-off valve is activated and stops the flow of water. These electronic shut-off valves have a sensor that you place on the floor or attach to the bottom of the dishwasher. If the sensor detects water on the floor (for example because the dishwasher has overflowed), it triggers the alarm and switches off the entire dishwasher.

Step 6: connect the waste water pipe

While the water inlet hose carries fresh tap water into the dishwasher, the waste water drain hose carries away dirty rinse water. A suitable waste water drain hose is usually included with the dishwasher. Otherwise, you will have to buy an additional drain hose and connect it to the dishwasher. There is a conical shape on the back of the device provided for this purpose. Connect the waste water hose to the sink drain. If the connection is not possible, you must invest in an adapter to be inserted between the drain and the siphon.

Step 7: connect the power supply

Finally, connect your dishwasher to the mains. There should be an outlet near the dishwasher. If you find that the cable does not reach the existing outlet, you will need to insert a new outlet. Do not use extension cords or triple plugs as this could create a dangerous source of fire in the kitchen.

Step 8: Check for Leaks

Now you are almost done. All you have to do is check the connections. Turn the main water line back on and let the water run into the sink. This is the easiest way to see if water is leaking from the drain valves. If necessary, turn the valves even tighter. Then carry out a test run with the dishwasher. If necessary, this can be done without dirty dishes. Check that everything is properly adjusted, properly connected. If everything is in perfect condition, you can slide the dishwasher into its place in the kitchen and congratulate yourself.

We hope that’s it, you can ditch the sponge and dishwashing liquid in favor of your brand new dishwashing machine. Courage to unfold all these steps, it is not very far the time when you can show off having successfully installed it! And then if you are unable to contemplate your beautiful brand new washing machine in operation, you can always call on a professional for whom it will be a simple formality to install your new machine!

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