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madsolder · Mar 20, 2009, 07:30 PM

I am going to be replacing our old dishwasher with a new one next weekend. When looking into the water supply line I came upon several questions.

The store tried to sell me a flexible hose. I have seen conflicting recommendations for flexible hose vs copper hose. What is recommended here? This cascades into the next question.

Under my sink there is a shut off for the current dishwasher with a soldered on copper hose to feed the current installation. I have the choice to leave it and feed the new dishwasher with the same hose or cut it then solder or use a compression fitting to a threaded connector for a new hose. A photo of the feed is below. The washer feed goes to the left of the photo the feed to sink is to the right.

Should I cut it or leave it. If I cut, where do I cut and where to I attach the connector. Should I solder or use a compression fitting.

Thanks for all your help.

Milo Dolezal · Mar 20, 2009, 07:40 PM

MadSolder: you basically have two ways to do it:

1. Remove kick plate from existing DW, unscrew copper line from brass Ell, remove DW, slide in new DW, install brass Ell, reconnect existing copper line.

2. Remove kick plate, remove existing copper DW supply line, remove DW. Cut off existing copper supply few inches below the shut-off valve, solder on 1/2" copper male fitting. Install new 1/2" IP x 3/8"Comp x 60" s.s. braided water supply, slide in new DW, install brass Ell, connect new flex supply.

It is entirely your choice. We have been using s.s. braided flex connectors for many year with no problem.

Let us know how it went..

Milo

madsolder · Mar 26, 2009, 06:14 AM

I ended up using the existing copper line. I had to cut it and use a new compression fitting to the T, but it all seems to be fine and ran its first load without a leak. I had a little trouble getting the compression started on the T as they had to be lined up exactly right, but I got it.

The most important thing now is that the wife is very happy. :D

My follow ups are that the drain hose that came with it is too long. I now have a loop under the sink before it goes up to the air gap. The end on the dishwasher side goes into a rubber end on a hose and the other goes to the air gap and has a rubber end attached. I can't just trim the plastic hose to fit without adding something to the end. I know I have seen rubber adapters with two diameters that just hose clamp between the two. Is this an option.

Additionally the new washer fits different then the old one so when you open the door you can see the unfinished insides of the counter. Any ideas on trimming it?

Thanks for all your help. The experience and $$ savings was worth it.

Milo Dolezal · Mar 26, 2009, 07:09 AM

Glad you managed to connect it..

Ok, the hose can be trimmed. Just get the rubber conversion nipple sold in Home Depot for couple of bucks. Better D/W come with rubber inserts that you glue to the side of cabinet. They cover the gap. However, you can get piece of scribe moulding and fill it in with that. Stain it to match the existing cabinets.