dishwasher

[taekvideo]

I'm considering getting a (used) dishwasher to install in the place I'm getting.
The problem is it's never had one, so the hookups aren't there.
Would it be feasible to do it myself?

It has pex piping with the manifold in the basement.
There's an unused cold water line that used to go to a refrigerator... can that be re-purposed? (I assume I need hot water for the dishwasher... could I just switch the other end from cold to hot?)



PS I found a craigslist ad with a bunch of used appliances in my area
I need them for my new place (foreclosure so they took everything...)
http://cedarrapids.craigslist.org/app/4326606055.html
I was thinking about buying all of them... but are they priced reasonably? (haven't bought appliances before hah)

[Milspecstache]

Is the fridge water line an ice-maker line?  For my house I only ran 1/2" to the fridge and then tied it into an icemaker box.  Is that similar for you?  If so I guess you could change it over to hot...

However, on some houses I've seen very small, around 1/4" or less, special icemaker lines run and these may switch over in the wall which makes it difficult to change out.  Those wouldn't support the flow you need to run a dishwasher.

Is the dishwasher on the first floor?  Can you drill and run a new 1/2" line?  If so, I would do that and be sure to insulate it.

What about electrical?  Do you have an outlet available?  I think I remember code requiring my dishwasher (and fridge) to be on their own circuit.  However, if you are on the first floor perhaps that isn't too difficult.  Do you have a space on your panel for an additional circuit?

Drain line shouldn't be difficult if the sink is nearby.

I am about 3-4 months behind you as a dishwasher install is on my short list!

[Daleth]

Is the fridge water line an ice-maker line?  For my house I only ran 1/2" to the fridge and then tied it into an icemaker box.  Is that similar for you?  If so I guess you could change it over to hot...

Higher-end European dishwashers often run on cold or can be set up to run on cold. Miele, Bosch, Asko for instance. Sometimes you see good used ones on Craigslist for a good price... usually when fancy folks are remodeling their kitchen and don't want a dishwasher of X color anymore, or want the latest and greatest, haha. I also got a good scratch-and-dent Bosch from Designer Home Surplus in Texas (designerhomesurplus.com).

[taekvideo]

I don't know if it was for an icemaker or just a water dispenser.. or both.
It's on the first floor.
The kitchen has a TON of outlets (like dozens...) so that shouldn't be a problem.  And yeah there's a bunch of extra space in the breaker box too.

[ritchie70]

I don't know if it was for an icemaker or just a water dispenser.. or both.
It's on the first floor.
The kitchen has a TON of outlets (like dozens...) so that shouldn't be a problem.  And yeah there's a bunch of extra space in the breaker box too.

It isn't its own outlet, it's its own circuit - a dedicated breaker just for the dishwasher. You'd want an outlet that's below counter level so you don't have to snake a dishwasher power cord up across the counter.

Personally I have no idea if mine is on its own circuit or not. I suspect not - this house is a bit of a disaster, and if that is a code requirement, it's probably newer than the original dishwasher installation.

[Milspecstache]

If it is first floor and if you have a basement underneath (unfinished) then running extra PEX and electrical becomes easy.

Do you already have a spot picked out?  Will you have to demo by removing cabinets?  Typically you want a countertop running above the dishwasher.

[taekvideo]

Yeah I'll probably have to take some cabinets out.
If I put it near the sink is it possible to just use the same drain lines? Or do I need a separate one?

[Milspecstache]

I believe most people use the sink's drain line.

[taekvideo]

I believe most people use the sink's drain line.

Oh yeah now that I think about it my parents have theirs setup that way... would explain the gurgling I sometimes heard coming from the sink while the dishwasher is running.

[soccerluvof4]

Make sure to put an air gap in.

[babysteps]

If you put the dishwasher next to or near the sink, you can probably tie into the sink's hot water supply (as well as the sink's drain).  If you are new to plumbing, there are "compression fittings" that are simple to use but more expensive in the long run than using pex only fittings & crimpers or cpvc fittings or copper & flux fittings.  "Near" meaning a cabinet away or so - in which case supply & drain lines will likely run through the lower back of that cabinet.  Our dishwasher has a 12" cabinet between it & the sink, works fine.

For drainage, using an air gap may be a regional thing.  From what I've seen, West coast uses air gaps, northeast doesn't.  If your code requires it, put one in.  Otherwise, as long as the kitchen sink drain is properly vented you shouldn't really need an air gap.