How to Add a New Dishwasher to a Kitchen

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey hooks up a new dishwasher.

Steps for Installing a New Dishwasher

1. Shut off the water to the kitchen sink.
2. Use a wrench to remove the existing shut-off valve on the hot-water supply line under the sink.
3. Install a new three-way shut-off valve onto the existing hot-water supply line.
4. Reconnect the hot-water supply line to the new shut-off valve.
5. Connect a stainless steel braided water-supply hose to the shut-off valve.
6. Remove the existing tailpiece attached to the sink’s basket strainer and replace it with a dishwasher tailpiece. Tighten the threaded connections with pliers.
7. Tip over the dishwasher and lay it on its back on top of a canvas tarp.
8. Wrap Teflon tape around the male threads of a brass adapter elbow.
9. Thread the elbow into the water-inlet port on the front of the dishwasher. Carefully tighten the elbow with an adjustable wrench.
10. Make the electrical connection to the dishwasher with a polarized appliance plug. Secure the wires with twist-on wire connectors.
11. Extend the stainless steel braided water-supply hose from the sink cabinet out to the dishwasher. Tape the hose down to the floor with electrical tape. 12. Carefully slide the dishwasher into place.
12. Connect the water-supply line to the dishwasher.
13. Use a drill/driver to screw the dishwasher’s mounting tabs to the underside of the countertop.
14. Adjust the leveling legs with a wrench until the dishwasher is perfectly level. Replace the dishwasher’s front panel.
15. From inside the sink cabinet, connect the discharge hose from dishwasher to the dishwasher tailpiece.
16. Turn on the water, plug in the dishwasher’s power cord and test your work.

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