Difficulty: Medium
Some plumbing skill may be needed for this job. But it should only take one or two hours if your machine is near to a water outlet pipe and the water supply. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions when learning how to install a washing machine or dishwasher.
Before you get started on any of our ‘how to’ guides, please take a moment to read through our DIY safety tips.
What you’ll need:
1. Preparing your new machine’s location
- If connecting pipes and a waste pipe aren’t already installed or you need to change where the machine goes, spend a little time finding the best spot.
- If your machine needs a hot water supply and is going upstairs, check there’s enough hot water pressure. If you’re unsure, call a plumber to check and do the installation.
- Any washing machine or dishwasher manual should tell you the minimum distance between the appliance and your cold water tank.
- It’s best to place your appliance against an exterior wall. That means you won’t need to have the waste pipe running along the inside wall of your home. Washing machines and dishwashers should stand on a firm, level floor.
- Most new dishwashers only need a cold water supply. Washing machines need hot and cold water supplies. They both come with hoses – normally 1.5m long with hand-tightened screw connectors on each end.
- Follow the maker’s instructions to fit water pipes to the appliance.
- Make sure you take all transport packing pieces out of your washing machine or dishwasher.
Take care!
If you need to install an electric socket for your new dishwasher or washing machine, bring in a qualified electrician rather than attempt it yourself.
2. Connecting to a power supply
- Washing machines and dishwashers need to be plugged into a standard 13 amp socket.
- If your sockets are all above the work surfaces, run a spur from a suitable socket to a switched fused connection unit above the work surface. Run a cable from this to an unswitched socket below the work surface to serve the machine.
- The socket should have an integrated light to show when the washing machine or dishwasher is switched on.
- If you’re unsure about tackling any power supply jobs, call a qualified electrician for help. And it’s worth checking with local building regulations before doing electrical work.
3. Installing a washing machine
- The image below shows a typical washing machine installation. Nearby hot and cold water pipes have been extended with T-fittings to reach the supply hoses.
- Fit isolation valves so your washing machine can be isolated without having to cut off the hot and cold water supplies.
- Hook the waste hose into the trap at the top of the standpipe.