A dishwasher is one of those devices that more and more people cannot imagine a functional kitchen without. If you are the lucky owner of a new dishwasher, you are going to need to connect it to the sewage system.
If you don't know how to connect a dishwasher to a sink, you've come to the right place - our guide will walk you through this process step-by-step. We'll advise on how to connect the dishwasher's drain to the siphon, explain how to check if you've succeeded, and help choose the best siphon for your kitchen.
What is needed to connect the dishwasher?
Here is a short list of what is needed to connect the dishwasher to the plumbing:
- pipe wrench – for tightening and loosening various parts of the installation,
- screwdriver – useful for assembling and disassembling different elements,
- hose cutting scissors – allow for trimming the drain hose to the appropriate length if necessary,
- teflon tape or sealing paste – helpful for properly securing threaded connections,
- spirit level – helps ensure the dishwasher is level, which is important for its proper functioning.
These few accessories should be enough to quickly and independently connect the dishwasher to the plumbing system.
Connecting the dishwasher step-by-step
Connecting the dishwasher to the sewage system is a task that you can perform yourself. If you don't have a separate sewage outlet to connect the dishwasher hose, it's not necessary to rebuild the installation. The dishwasher can be connected using the appropriate sink siphon.
Below you will find a detailed step-by-step description of how to correctly connect the dishwasher to the plumbing system.
How to connect a siphon to the dishwasher?
The first step is to choose the right location in the kitchen. The dishwasher should be placed next to an electrical outlet as well as a water source and drain.
Connecting the dishwasher to the sink siphon will allow the water from the dishwasher to be properly drained after the wash cycle. If you already have a suitable siphon, make sure you also have all the necessary tools and materials handy, including a siphon wrench, a flexible hose for the dishwasher, rubber washers (if not provided with the siphon), and sealing tape. Then:
- turn off the water supply,
- disconnect the drain hose from the sink drain pipe,
- attach the dishwasher drain hose to the inlet pipe of the siphon,
- ensure the hose is well secured using a clamp,
- connect the sink drain hose to the outlet pipe of the siphon,
- turn on the water supply.
If the dishwasher is already connected to the siphon, make sure the siphon is securely fastened and sealed. It is best to buy a special siphon designed for connecting the dishwasher. If you do not have such a siphon, using a special adapter or connector may be necessary.
Remember!
The water drainage should occur at a height not lower than 30 cm from the floor. The sewage pipe must have a diameter of at least 40 mm to efficiently drain the water.
Connecting the dishwasher to the water
The next step is to connect the dishwasher to the water supply. This is essential for the appliance to function correctly. This process is even easier and does not require special skills.
- The first step is to turn off the water valve,
- then connect the flexible water supply hose to the plumbing system – to the cold water pipe,
- the other end of the hose should be attached to the dishwasher's water inlet valve – you will likely find it on the back of the appliance,
- turn on the water valve.
The hose connections should be tightened securely with a wrench to prevent water leakage. To check if everything is alright, turn on the water supply valve and verify that there are no leaks anywhere.
Water flow should be smooth - ensure that the water supply hose and the drain hose are not kinked or pressed against the wall or floor.
Connecting the electricity to the dishwasher
The last thing you need to do before running the dishwasher is to connect the appliance to the electrical outlet. For maximum safety, make sure the socket is equipped with an earth pin. Lack of proper earthing can cause electric shock.
The electrical socket should be located no closer than 60 cm from the water outlet, minimizing the risk of flooding the outlet.
How to verify if the dishwasher connection process was successful?
After correctly connecting the siphon to the dishwasher, conduct a test to ensure everything is working properly.
- Run the dishwasher,
- observe whether the water drains freely and whether there are no leaks,
- also check that the supply and drain hoses are not tense or kinked, which could cause problems with water flow.
If any issues arise, such as improper water flow or leaks, check whether all connections are tightened and properly secured. It is also worth checking that the water pressure is not too high, as this can cause connection problems.
In most cases, the dishwasher will automatically respond to a lack of water and will simply stop, but if there is a problem with draining, unfortunately, it will be easy to miss. Carefully secure the drain hose and seal it both at the connection point with the siphon and with the valve at the dishwasher.
What type of siphon works best for a dishwasher?
Choosing a siphon for a dishwasher is a very important process as it depends on both the connection method and the later use of the appliance. It depends mainly on the kitchen configuration and the type of dishwasher you own.
On the plumbing market, there is a wide variety of different types of sink siphons available. The most commonly chosen are:
- bottle traps – they have a closed structure, are easy to install and clean,
- pipe traps – they are suitable wherever a larger diameter drain is needed - they are ideal for kitchens.
Besides, there are models with a side drain and models equipped with special branches allowing the connection of a dishwasher.
There are also siphons with more than one branch, allowing two devices to be connected to one drain. This is a convenient solution if you want to install both a dishwasher and a washing machine in the kitchen.
Connecting the dishwasher to water and sewage – summary
As you can see, connecting the siphon to the dishwasher is not a difficult task, and you can successfully do it yourself. The entire process should not take you too much time. If you already have a sink siphon installed in the kitchen that is not adapted for a dishwasher, it is necessary to buy the appropriate model equipped with a special branch.
We have discussed how to connect a dishwasher to a siphon. It is worth replacing the siphon with one that will fit the dishwasher. This process is also relatively easy, and the tools and accessories mentioned in the article are sufficient. Additionally, it is worth equipping yourself with a bucket or other type of container to catch the water from the dismantled siphon.
How to connect a siphon to a dishwasher? Here is a quick summary of the process:
- turn off the water supply valve,
- dismantle the existing siphon,
- connect a new siphon so that the additional inlet is directed upwards and is on the dishwasher's side,
- turn on the water and run the tap,
- check for water leaks at joints.
Once you have the appropriate siphon in place, all that remains is to connect the dishwasher's water drain hose to it. Make sure that the dishwasher hose is directed upwards - it should be arranged in a U shape, as this will prevent unpleasant odors from the drain from entering the dishwasher.