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needhlep33
Mar 11, 2008, 03:15 PM
Hi everyone

Anyway I want to put in a dishwasher but only thing the house I have didn't come with a dishwasher... and I wanted to know can I do it myself or do I have to get someone to help me... :confused:

Thank you

tickle
Mar 11, 2008, 04:52 PM
Why don't you get a good quality portable dishwasher. They don't need installation, just hook up to the kitchen tap and turn it on. I have one and I just love it. Its actually got more room inside then an under the counter model. Good for pots and pans.

hkstroud
Mar 11, 2008, 07:28 PM
The work of installing a dishwasher is primarily the cabinet work required to make space under the counter top for the dishwasher. They normally require a 30" opening, usually to the immediate right of the sink.

An electrical line must be run from the electrical panel to the opening. Dishwashers are normally hardwired, that is to say connected directly to this line.

There is no "house plumbing" for a dishwasher. A small, usually bendable, copper pipe is connected to the hot water supply underneath the sink and runs to the dishwasher for the water supply. The dishwasher comes with a flexible drain hose. A hole is usually drilled through the side of the sink cabinet. The drain hose passes through this hole to the inside of the sink cabinet.
This hose is connected to either an air gap or to the drain pipe or garbage disposal.
Some areas require an air gap others may not. If an air gap is not required or not installed, the hose from the dishwasher is secured as high as possible under the counter and then drops back down creating loop to prevent water from the sink from entering the dishwasher.
If the air gap is required, a hole is drilled in the back flange of the sink and the air gap is installed. The hose from the dishwasher is connected to the small center pipe of the air gap. A hose is connected to the larger pipe of the air gap and to the drain. The dishwasher pumps the water up to the air gap where it is diverted and flows back down to the drain.
If you have a garbage disposal the dishwasher drain is connect to the disposal, there is a special pipe stub for this. The disposal comes from the factory with a plug in this pipe which must be removed if a dishwasher is used.
If there is no disposal, there is a special pipe that is used between the sink and the trap with this pipe stub for connecting a dishwasher.

While there is some plumbing and electrical work to installing a dishwasher, it is mostly just connecting a supply line and a drain to existing plumbing. The real work is the cabinet work to make space for it and that depends on you unique situation.

ballengerb1
Mar 11, 2008, 08:16 PM
You know Harold, if you could rewrite your advice using bullets we could make a powerpoint and sell it. Follow Harold's advice on this one. I'd vote for skipping the air gap and go with the tallest loop you can make with the drain hose.