Dishwasher installation: DIY guide

Congratulations. You will no longer have to spend hours slaving over a sudsy sink full of hot detergent to get your cups and plates clean. You are not the proud owner of a dishwasher - often touted as the 'marriage saver' device, and a sure fire way to give you some more time in the evenings and kiss goodbye the dreaded washing up duty that everyone hates.

But a dishwasher is no good to anyone unless it is installed correctly, right? There is a way you can take steps towards installing your own dishwasher. Below is a brief DIY guide.

Find a space for your dishwasher

Measure your dishwasher if you need to fit the device into a designated space in your kitchen. If you already have a space that will fit your dishwasher then you may skip this step. If you need to create space you may need to forgo an existing kitchen cupboard or cabinet.

If this is the case, unhinge the door you will be taking off - you may need to forgo two doors to make the space wide enough. Ensure you have ample room to fit the dishwasher - it is handy to place it in a corner of your kitchen that is close to plumbing and a power point. Once you have ensured that the dishwasher fits you may be able to rehang a kitchen cupboard door, or fit a smaller one onto the left over space.

Dishwasher: Plumbing tips

The back of your dishwasher will be covered with hoses and attachments of all shapes and sizes. If you have been clever enough to fit your dishwasher into a space nearest to your existing kitchen plumbing, then you simply need to connect the hoses to the cold water tap attachment (usually located under your sink).

If the location of your dishwasher is further away from your main kitchen plumbing you may need to purchase hose attachments that will connect to make the distance.
These will have to be threaded through possible existing kitchen cupboard space. Ensure they are either taped to the walls to avoid hose kinks, or placed upon special hinges to ensure the hoses are straight and the water can flow in and out of them.

You should not need to connect a modern dishwasher to the hot tap attachment.
Modern dishwashers have their own heating elements and use cold water which is warmed within the device.

Dishwasher: Electricity

A simple electrical cord on the back of your dishwasher can plug straight into an electrical power point and be turned on to function. You may need an extension cord in order to attach the device and once again, ensure there are no kinks in the cords - either tape them or use hinges to attach them in a straight line through from your dishwasher to your power point.

If you are concerned about any stages of this process, have a qualified electrician and plumber help you out. It may be the case that you require another power point to be installed - an electrician will need to do this, or some new plumbing fitted - this is the work of a plumber.