Installing a dishwasher

[Shinobi]

Easy to do myself or should I get a plumber in? It will be going next to a sink and a washing machine so there is water in the area but I have no plumbing or handyman experience other then putting some floating shelves up.

[Tyre Smoke]

Simple.

Look under the sink and there is probably a blanked off spur to fit waste from dishwasher to. Jubilee clip is the best for this.

Cold water feed to dishwasher can be fed by one of those (plumbers hate them)self tapping washing machine taps from Screwfix (about £6). Simply clamp around cold feed pipe and screw up tight, taps into pipe and then fit cold feed to dishwasher.

Make sure everything is done up tight (but not too tight) and off you go.

[Arthur Jackson]

Tyre Smoke said:

Cold water feed to dishwasher can be fed by one of those (plumbers hate them)self tapping washing machine taps from Screwfix (about £6). Simply clamp around cold feed pipe and screw up tight, taps into pipe and then fit cold feed to dishwasher.

Surely EVERYONE hates them! Disc of copper loose in the pipework. Cutting edge rusting. Why not just do it properly!!? Next time you get a puncture, squeeze some silicone sealant on it.

[Tyre Smoke]

Because they are cheap and do exactly what they are supposed to. Copper pipe doesn't rust!

[jagnet]

Urgh no - the plumbing equivalent of scotchloks The copper pipe may not rust, but the cutting edge of the over priced piece of tat that is a self cutting tap will.

For the sake of a couple of seconds with a pipe cutter or worst case a junior hacksaw, at least do it with a compression tee if you don't want to solder. You can even get washing machine valve tees if the pipe is close enough to where you're putting the machine.

[Simpo Two]

Turning the water off to do it properly is the main problem you'll have, but is a major one for a newbie.

Idea - the feed to the WM will have an isolator or some kind of valve on it. If you could tap in after that you wouldn't need to turn the water off.




Ferg will be outraged but that's too bad

[mildmannered]

Tyre Smoke said:

Simple.

Look under the sink and there is probably a blanked off spur to fit waste from dishwasher to. Jubilee clip is the best for this.

You may need to cut the end off of the spiggot before fitting the pipe as they are usually sealed to prevent leakage/smells

If you are not comfortable with attempting the plumbing, you could use one of these to double the existing washing machine valve:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/washing-machine-y-piece-...

[mph1977]

mildmannered said:

<snip>

If you are not comfortable with attempting the plumbing, you could use one of these to double the existing washing machine valve:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/washing-machine-y-piece-...

assuming it doesn't fail the moment you switch the water back on....

[Arthur Jackson]

Tyre Smoke said:

Because they are cheap and do exactly what they are supposed to. Copper pipe doesn't rust!

No they don't and who said it did.

[dave_s13]

Push fit T piece is another option for tapping into the cold feed. Easier than comp if you're DIY'ing.

[Arthur Jackson]

dave_s13 said:

Push fit T piece is another option for tapping into the cold feed. Easier than comp if you're DIY'ing.

Perfect!

[mildmannered]

mph1977 said:

mildmannered said:

<snip>

If you are not comfortable with attempting the plumbing, you could use one of these to double the existing washing machine valve:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/washing-machine-y-piece-...

assuming it doesn't fail the moment you switch the water back on....

Then you would immediately turn off the valve to which it is fitted?

The OP's extent of DIY is fitting a shelf, but people are suggesting using self-cutting valves, compression and push-fit fittings etc.

That isn't so easy to rectify if you make a pigs ear of it...

[Simpo Two]

mildmannered said:

The OP's extent of DIY is fitting a shelf, but people are suggesting using self-cutting valves, compression and push-fit fittings etc.

I agree compression fittings need a certain knack but a 4-year-old can do push fit! The risk with DIY plumbing is that you get a leak or flood - so knowing how to turn the water off is pretty crucial IMHO.

The only higher risk task is on a boat, when the worst-case scenario is - it sinks!

[mildmannered]

Simpo Two said:

I agree compression fittings need a certain knack but a 4-year-old can do push fit! The risk with DIY plumbing is that you get a leak or flood - so knowing how to turn the water off is pretty crucial IMHO.

Just make sure that the four year old has drained the residual water from the pipework before cutting any pipes and that the stopcock has indeed stopped, er cocking? Pesky three year olds know nuffink. Oh and if using plastic pipe, remember the inserts...

Simpo Two said:

The only higher risk task is on a boat, when the worst-case scenario is - it sinks!

Why are you plumbing into the raw water side? Is that to save on dishwasher salt? Clever

[miniman]

If your drain pipes have a spare hose connection for the dishwasher (which many do) here's a tip - unscrew it and remove the blanking plate inside it before proceeding! Otherwise best case the dishwasher will fail to empty, worst case it will pop the hose off the connector and empty out into your cupboard!

[Simpo Two]

mildmannered said:

Simpo Two said:

I agree compression fittings need a certain knack but a 4-year-old can do push fit! The risk with DIY plumbing is that you get a leak or flood - so knowing how to turn the water off is pretty crucial IMHO.

Just make sure that the four year old has drained the residual water from the pipework before cutting any pipes and that the stopcock has indeed stopped, er cocking? Pesky three year olds know nuffink. Oh and if using plastic pipe, remember the inserts...

I was referring to the physical skill required to make the joint, not the task as a whole.

mildmannered said:

Why are you plumbing into the raw water side? Is that to save on dishwasher salt? Clever

Actually I was referring to sea-cock replacement, a job for which I was happy to 'get a man in'

[stemll]

miniman said:

If your drain pipes have a spare hose connection for the dishwasher (which many do) here's a tip - unscrew it and remove the blanking plate inside it before proceeding! Otherwise best case the dishwasher will fail to empty, worst case it will pop the hose off the connector and empty out into your cupboard!

Speaking from experience?

I did just that 19 years ago with a washing machine and it wouldn't empty. To say I looked rather sheepish when the man from Bosch "fixed" it in about 5 seconds would be an understatement.

[miniman]

stemll said:

miniman said:

If your drain pipes have a spare hose connection for the dishwasher (which many do) here's a tip - unscrew it and remove the blanking plate inside it before proceeding! Otherwise best case the dishwasher will fail to empty, worst case it will pop the hose off the connector and empty out into your cupboard!

Speaking from experience?

Fortunately mine did the "won't empty" thing rather than the "spray water everywhere" thing.

[Shinobi]

Thanks for the advice guys, doesn't sound impossible for Me and I think I'll have a go on Saturday and at the very worst get a Plumber in if needed. Sure I know one who will work for beer tokens.

I may post on here Saturday for urgent advice covered in water with a new pool in the house.

[Simpo Two]

Being on one's hands and kees with one's head in the cupboard under the sink whilst holding your finger over a burst pipe and knowing that the tools you need are out of reach does focus the mind, yes!