DIY Dishwasher Hookup

Shut off the electrical power to the dishwasher outlet at your fuse or breaker box. Forgetting this critical first step could provide you with a shocking experience.

Shut off the water supply under your sink by hand or with a crescent wrench or channel-lock pliers.

Remove the dishwasher faceplate using a 1/4-inch nut driver. Slide the appliance under the counter into the space next to your sink. Check for level. Adjust the leveling feet on the dishwasher as needed and also to close up any gap between the top of the dishwasher and the countertop.

Connect the drain hose and air gap for the new dishwasher. The air gap is the part of the dishwasher plumbing that sticks up through a hole in your sink. This gap allows any water backups to drain back into the sink, preventing any contaminated water from getting into your supply lines. If local building codes do not require an air gap, you can skip this part of the process unless it leaves an empty hole in the top of your sink. If so, you may want to add it for cosmetic purposes.

Attach the dishwasher's flexible water supply line to the main water line, the copper pipe that comes up through the bottom of the cabinet under your sink. This can be done using a self-tapping water valve. These are often included with the dishwasher's installation hardware. Self-tapping valves include two brackets that fit on either side of the water supply line. The dishwasher's flex line connects through the hole in one of these brackets. Each bracket is placed on opposite sides of the supply line facing each other. A small hand-turn valve on one of the brackets pulls the two brackets together like a vice until the water supply line is properly tapped. Hand tighten the valve so it does not leak.

Connect the power supply underneath the dishwasher using the wire nuts provided by the dishwasher manufacturer. Do not using black electrical tape to cover the bare wires as this can lose its stickiness over time. Wire nuts provide better protection to and from the electrical lines.

Reattach the faceplate using the 1/4-inch nut driver.

Attach the dishwasher to the underneath side of the counter top. Two brackets extend out from the top of the dishwasher. Using the two small screws provided by the manufacturer, screw these into the bottom of the counter topto hold the dishwasher in place and to keep it from vibrating.

Turn on the water and the electrical supply. Start your new dishwasher and enjoy.