Dishwasher installation and connection

What does dishwasher installation involve?

A dishwasher needs three connections: water, drain and electricity. The water usually comes from the dishwasher valve on the kitchen tap (faucet) or from a separate valve fitted under the sink. The drain hose is connected to the appliance connection on the kitchen sink trap.

We use the inlet hose supplied with the new machine. It is not worth moving the old hose over: rubber becomes brittle over the years, and the hose is the weakest point of the whole installation when it comes to water damage.

Once connected, the machine is pushed into place, levelled with its adjustable feet and fixed under the worktop. The drain hose is raised and secured so that dirty water cannot run back into the machine. The inlet hose must not get squashed behind the machine, and if the hoses pass through the side of a cabinet, the hole must be wide enough that the hose does not chafe through. Finally, we do a test run and check that the joints stay dry.

The machine plugs into a socket in the kitchen units. If there is no socket, or the machine has to be hard-wired, the electrical work is done by an electrician.

Replacing an old machine: what it costs

When a new machine replaces an old one, the job has two parts: disconnecting the old machine (€47.06) and installing and connecting the new one (€125.50). Prices include 25.5% VAT (ALV). You will find all our fixed prices on the prices page.

Disconnection means detaching the old machine from the water and drain connections and its fixings, and pulling it out of the units. You can also book a disconnection on its own, for example when moving house or before a kitchen renovation. In that case we close the valve and cap the drain connection so the kitchen can be used as normal.

If the inlet hose does not reach the valve or the drain needs an adapter, extra fittings and hoses are charged separately. If your kitchen tap has no dishwasher valve, or the tap is near the end of its life anyway, it can be replaced during the same visit – see tap replacement.

Leak tray and leak detector

A dishwasher leak easily goes unnoticed, because the water runs under the units and into the floor structure. That is why many insurers require a leak tray under the machine. Ideally, the tray is fitted so that its front edge is visible at the plinth, so any leak is spotted in time.

A leak detector adds another layer of protection. Depending on the model, it sounds an alarm or shuts off the water supply when water collects in the tray or on the floor. Check your home insurance terms and your housing company's (taloyhtiö) instructions, as missing leak protection can reduce the compensation paid for water damage.

Many new machines have leak protection built into the inlet hose that shuts off the water if the hose is damaged. It still does not replace a leak tray, because a leak can also start at the drain hose connection or in the base of the machine. Our guide to dishwasher leak trays covers leak protection and home insurance in more detail.

Before you buy a new machine

A standard built-in dishwasher is 60 cm wide, and for a small kitchen there are also 45 cm models. Measure the opening in your kitchen units and check the height too, as the feet only adjust so far. A fully integrated machine has a cabinet door fixed to its front, so check at the same time that a matching door is available for your kitchen range.

Also check that the cabinet under the sink has room for the hoses around the trap and valve. When you know the measurements in advance, the installation can be done in one visit and the machine is not left waiting for extra parts. If the kitchen is being renovated at the same time, install the machine only once the units and worktop are finished.