Getting all of the large appliances in your kitchen working can be difficult without some help. Do you need to attach the drain hose to your dishwasher but don't know what to do? Can you connect the drain hose to your dishwasher yourself?
We will cover these questions and others throughout this article. With that said, let's dive in!
Attaching the drain hose to your dishwasher is much easier than you'd think. To do this, you want to:
- Locate the drain hose for your dishwasher and its associated parts.
- Use the provided anchors to secure your dishwasher's drain pipe to the wall/appliance.
- Grab your drain hose and hook it onto the drain port on the back end of your dishwasher.
- Secure it using the clamp/anchor that comes with your appliance.
- Route the drain hose out the back under the rear leg of your dishwasher.
- Stand your dishwasher up and grab your drain hose to route it to your water line.
- You're required to run this hose through a 1.5-inch hole, so plan accordingly.
- Run your power cord, water supply, and drain hose through this hole.
- Hook up your water supply to the dishwasher.
- Attach your drain hose to your garbage disposal/p-trap port (you can use the clamp your hose comes with).
- Turn on your water and test your dishwasher, and you're done!
As we begin, we will cover all things dishwasher drain hoses and discuss how to connect one properly. We're here to assist if you want to try a DIY project or are simply curious. With that said, let's dive right into this topic!
![Metal clamp for connection of dishwasher drain hose under kitchen sink close up - How To Attach Drain Hose To Dishwasher [In 11 Easy Steps!]](https://uooz.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Metal-clamp-for-connection-of-dishwasher-drain-hose-under-kitchen-sink-close-up-How-To-Attach-Drain-Hose-To-Dishwasher.png)
Can You Attach A Drain Hose To A Dishwasher Yourself?
Yes, you can attach a drain hose/set up a dishwasher yourself without professional help. However, you don't want to do this unless you know the basics of hooking up your appliance.
According to Inman, there are four main things you need to know about hooking up a dishwasher:
- You need to find a location
- There needs to be a water supply
- A drain line must be present
- Your dishwasher/kitchen needs power
On top of that, most dishwashers should come with instructions for you to use during the installation process. You will also get a bag of parts, like the clamps and anchors.
Installing a dishwasher should be pretty simple as long as you have the proper routing to your water source.
Generally, you want to attach a dishwasher's drain hose to the garbage disposal, although it can also go to the p-trap port under your sink.
Again, this can get tricky if you aren't a plumber, so if there are any issues, we recommend contacting a professional rather than risking your safety.
Attaching A Dishwasher Drain Hose Tutorial
Here is a video tutorial on attaching the drain hose on your dishwasher to your appliance and sink. This guide covers where things should go and what parts you need to get your drain hose up and running efficiently.
Universal Dishwasher Drain Hose
This universal drain hose fits all dishwashers, is six feet long, is easy to install, comes with easy-to-attach clamps and screws, comes with a ten-year warranty, and comes in a few sizes.
Follow this link to see it on Amazon.
How Far Can You Run A Dishwasher Drain Hose?
Generally, you don't want to run a dishwasher drain hose farther than ten feet. That said, most drain hoses will be closer to ten feet, which is more than enough if your dishwasher is close to the sink/plumbing nearby.
The dishwasher and sink will fall into the same area even in larger kitchen designs. Therefore, using a ten-foot-long drain hose isn't usually necessary.
Furthermore, many experts recommend ten or fewer feet for drainage purposes. Typically, the longer your drain hose, the less efficiently your dishwasher will move water, which can become a problem.
For example, if your dishwasher can't drain in time, you will have a mess inside and around it.
The Home Depot recommends following local codes (ten or fewer feet of hose) and following the instructions with your built-in/free-standing dishwasher model to avoid issues.
How Far Can A Dishwasher Drain Be From The Sink?
As we said, keeping your dishwasher at a maximum of ten feet from the sink is best.
Additionally, some manufacturers recommend a 12-foot maximum distance, although this isn't always within code, depending on where you are/the dishwasher.
Furthermore, the height of the drain shouldn't be more than six feet above the bottom of your appliance. It's more difficult for your dishwasher to drain if the hose is too high/far, so you want to keep this in mind.
Many experts warn that it's harder for a dishwasher to pump vertically rather than horizontally, so the lower your drain, the better.
However, most installations won't pose an issue with this, so there isn't a reason to worry quite yet.
It's also worth mentioning that a longer hose will clog easier over time. So, if you don't want to call the plumber every few months for a clog, we recommend having your dishwasher be ten or fewer feet from the drain.
Do You Need To Replace A Dishwasher Drain Hose?
Most times, you don't need to replace a dishwasher drain hose unless there's an issue. That said, if you notice leaking, an aging hose, or trouble connecting the two, that's when a replacement may be best.
Considering that a dishwasher only lasts about 5-10 years, you aren't likely going to need any replacement pieces. Again, this is different for everyone, so try to stay vigilant.
According to Insurance Services Group, it's better to use a reinforced steel-braided hose for draining your larger appliances, as they won't fail as quickly as rubber ones.
They also mention that rubber hoses can fail as often as every five years, which can become an issue for longer-lasting dishwashers.
If the time comes to replace your dishwasher drain hose, you will need to detach it from your appliance and turn off the water, so this is a whole project in itself.
Can You Reuse A Dishwasher Drain Hose?
No. Please do not try to reuse your dishwasher drain hose. Even if your hose looks fine and you want to save some extra money, this isn't worth it.
Remember, these hoses only have a five or so year lifespan, so it's not worth transferring one to a newer machine. Most dishwashers come with a new drain hose anyways, so using an old one isn't practical.
Using a newer dishwasher drain hose will also prevent clogs and damage to your appliance, so there are plenty of reasons to follow this suggestion.
As we said, you can also opt for a more durable reinforced steel-braided hose, which can last as long as your dishwasher.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Dishwasher?
Hiring a professional is a good idea for those who do not want to install their dishwasher themselves. Usually, this will be around $190 for labor fees, although rates vary from $70-$500.
Your final price tag will vary depending on the complexity of the job. For example, if you need to run your drain hose and water line through a farther area or difficult surface, this can increase your labor costs.
It's also generally more expensive to install a new dishwasher without a pre-existing hookup than replace it. Remember, you will need to drill a 1.5-inch hole for all the parts to fit, which a professional plumber can do for you.
Additionally, your dishwasher may come with included installation depending on where you buy it, so keep an eye out for special promotions.
Every dishwasher and installation price will be unique, so this isn't a one size fits all answer.
What Does Home Depot Charge To Install A Dishwasher?
Suppose you buy your new dishwasher from The Home Depot and want to have them install it. Typically, this will be free if your machine is more than $396 or around $99 for less expensive models.
Of course, you won't bring an employee home with you but instead, work with one of the company's many trusted and vetted installers.
This service is comparable to having a third-party provider build a large piece of furniture from Wayfair or one of those companies.
You might also need to pay a $59 delivery fee for dishwashers under $396, so that's another thing to consider. Overall, we recommend this service and think Home Depot will make your dishwasher installation easy.
What Does Lowes Charge To Install A Dishwasher?
Now, those wanting to shop through Lowes have a slightly different installation process. In general, the company offers a basic installation for between $125 and $450 with free delivery.
Of course, the delivery will only be free with dishwashers that cost more than $396, so the same as The Home Depot's program.
On top of the installation, a haul/discard of your current dishwasher is also included with Lowes. The brand can also recycle your dishwasher, so this is a great idea if you want a stress-free experience.
To Finish
Whether you have a dishwasher that needs to be hooked up or are shopping around, it's always good to understand the basics. From what we found, attaching the drain hose to your dishwasher is easy if you follow the directions.
In addition, you can hire a professional to install your dishwasher for you, although this can cost a few hundred dollars, depending on the job.
Remember, it's better to have someone else do this if you aren't 100% comfortable.
Made it to the end? Check out these other helpful kitchen posts below!
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