How to Install a Dishwasher On Your Own?

Remember those days when we all used to wash the dishes by hand? Probably not, but it was a big hell for any housekeeper, and reason number one for her to be angry with her husband for not cleaning even one fork for ages.

Thankfully, today such fights are (mostly) over, and we can watch a movie, read a book or have a walk in nature while our beloved helping dishwasher disinfects the dishes profoundly and gives us an extra – nearly 99% of the bacteria are eliminated.

It’s easy to choose a dishwasher these days because there are plenty of different models depending on your budget, needs and the number of kitchen cookware and utensils. What might not be so easy, though, is to faultlessly and quickly install the device.

However, we cannot claim that if you are up to using our specially tailored dishwasher installation guide below.

What you need to replace a dishwasher

The better you prep for the DIY dishwasher installation process, the faster you will finish it completely.

Get a sheet of paper and a pen and write down all of these tools that you should have at hand before you start doing anything:

• Screwdriver (you can replace it with a driver drill, but the best option is to have them both to make sure at least one of them will do the work);
• A drop sheet. Instead of it, you can use, though, some ordinary cardboard;
• Tape – it’s an optional tool, but you should better have it, too;
• Something to handle the spills because there will be such (if you are careful enough, no flooding puts your home at risk). Consider a mop if you have one to absorb the liquids quickly. A bucket is ok, too;
• Hoses – you should have an inlet and outlet. They usually come in a pack with the dishwasher, but make sure to check if your model includes them in the final price. The same goes for the mounting hardware kit.

Shut off the water supply

Like any other easy or delicate plumbing chore, the dishwasher installation process requires you to start with this precautious measure.

But, like we’ve said above, if you follow our tips, you will definitely avoid big spills and flooding at home. Shutting off the water supply is the golden rule in making this prevention work.

Remove the old dishwasher (if needed)

If you are replacing your old dishwasher with a new one, it goes without saying that you should remove the old one first. Of course, if you keep using them both, you don’t need to remove your current device. Just keep in mind that that’s going to reflect on your utility bills.

In all cases, removing the old dishwasher requires you first to shut off the water and then disconnect it from all sockets.

If possible, keep the hoses because you might need to install them on your new device – especially if it does not come with a spare installation pair of its own. Last but not least, try to put the old dishwasher as far away as possible to have more room for your DIY installation project.

Adjust the height of the new dishwasher

This is an important step you shouldn’t jump over. It’s because if the new device doesn’t fit the place you plan for it, no installation can be made. In this case, you might need to change your kitchen cabinet layout.

Hook up water, power and the drain hose

This will not be so difficult for you mainly because a standard dishwasher has nothing else but the power and the draining house to be attached and turned on.

If you have any doubts about this task, check out the mandatory manual instructions. There must be a scheme to follow where each item should go to.

Get the dishwasher in place

Position the dishwasher in place. We also recommend you consider checking for leaks in the plumbing system zone connected to the new dishwasher. This is how you will avoid doubling your work in future.

If some repairs should be made, don’t hesitate to call the local plumbing company for assistance and faster access to your new home acquisition.

Test your new dishwasher

If you think that everything is properly positioned, turn on the dishwasher for a quick check. You don’t have to press the button for the most long-lasting program.

On the contrary, if the device has such, make a fast test through the economy or quick mode. If there’s a leak or a problem with the electric connection, you will notice it quickly and start the entire process from the beginning to fix it.

If something wrong occurs during the test and you don’t know how to deal with it, consult with the manufacturer or the consultant from the store where you bought the dishwasher, or simply call the local plumber for some quick assistance.

Level and anchor the dishwasher

Conversely, don’t hesitate to use the leveller to adjust the dishwasher perfectly well to the ground. This will save it from future damage and remove the risk of hearing too much noise while the device is working. If needed, you can also anchor it finely and safely.

Finally, fastening it at the right location adds more stability to the device, meaning more years of usage.

Conclusion

Last but not least, keep in mind that if you have purchased a dish-drawer-style device that is very typical for some brands popular in the UK, you will also have to remove the drawer from the frame to fit it as well as possible.

By all means, this extra chore makes the installation more challenging, so it would be better for you to insist on professional assistance. You can either opt for an extra paid installation service directly in the store or to use such from the local plumbing company.

If you do it alone, have some helpers nearby because handling the job with a single pair of hands is a bit tough.