How to connect dishwasher to drain? Unlike our previous tutorial of how to install a dishwasher? We are only going to be discussing the sink tailpiece with dishwasher drain inlet. Again this will be different with every situation. If you have a single sink or the parts above assumes you don’t have a garbage disposal and already did the dishwasher install . If you haven’t read the dishwasher install article or watched the dishwasher how to video you may want to start there.
Tools and Parts Needed:
- Channellocks
- Sink Tailpiece with Dishwasher Kit
- Double Sink Drain Kit
- Slip Joint Nut & Washer
So let’s begin with the sink tailpiece with dishwasher. These come in a variety of dishwasher inlet sizes. So it is important to make sure you have the proper size inlet for your dishwasher drain hose. The standard drain hose size is 5/8’s inch. If you pick up a kit it will have all you need in the kit starting with the sink tailpiece. You will want to use a metal sink nut with rubber washer for the tailpiece. It is our experience that using a plastic nut can easily be striped out and begin to leak.
Next you will push on a plastic nut threads down onto the other end of the sink tailpiece and push on a nylon washer. Then take your slip joint with dishwasher and push onto the tailpiece and tighten up the nut to the slip joint threads.
Finally you will need to determine the length of your slip joint piece and cut off excess to fit it inside your P-Trap. If you’re confused about what a P-Trap is then go read our previous article about how to connect a garbage disposal to drain. It will explain the different drain parts to give you better understanding.
Now you’re ready to connect your dishwasher drain hose to the dishwasher inlet. So take your hose and slip on your clamp to your dishwasher hose. It may or may not be with your dishwasher so if you don’t have one you will need one. You can use the screw type hose clamp or the spring type that requires slip-joint pliers to slip on. Once you’re done with putting the clamp on you’re now ready to test for leaks.
NOTE: Do not use the dishwasher as your way to test the drain for leaks. Use the faucet to test the drain as you can control the water on and off quicker than shutting down a dishwasher in a cycle.
