4 Things That Can Go Wrong During Dishwasher Installation
Several things can go wrong when an inexperienced person tries to install a dishwasher in his or her home, which is why professional dishwasher installation should always be considered. This article discusses some of the common mishaps that may occur if you don't seek for expert assistance during that installation project.
Water Line Issues
Some manufacturers of dishwashers may not provide supply hoses and their fittings. These materials have to be bought by the homeowner. Inexperienced people can easily buy supply hoses of the wrong diameter when they go to the hardware store. Such components may leak and gradually cause extensive water damage to the home. You can avoid this problem by reading the dishwasher manual carefully so that you purchase the hoses and fittings whose specifications match what the manufacturer has recommended. It is also wise to observe for leaks before you assume that the installation has been flawless.
Poor Alignment
Another common problem of DIY dishwasher installations is the poor alignment of the various components of the dishwasher. For example, the door of the dishwasher may rub against a cabinet. Alternatively, the door of the dishwasher may graze against the countertop each time the dishwasher is opened. These alignment problems can easily be rectified by adjusting the kick plate or the mounting screws of the dishwasher.
Improper Drain Installation
One of the worst experiences that a homeowner can have is to see the sink draining into the newly installed dishwasher. Such a thing can occur if a mistake was made as the drain hose of the dishwasher was being linked to the drain of the kitchen sink. For example, the hose may not be connected to an air gap. Alternatively, the plastic plug may not be removed from the nipple of the garbage disposal. These drainage mishaps can be avoided by having a checklist of all the installation steps that are suggested for your appliance.
Mounting Challenges
One can also fail to know what to do if he or she finds that the mounting screws of the dishwasher cannot penetrate the surface where he or she wants to install the appliance. For example, the mounting screws cannot penetrate a natural stone countertop. This challenge can be solved in two major ways. First, you can use an adhesive to stick pieces of lumber onto the natural stone. The screws can then be driven into the lumber so that the dishwasher is properly mounted. Secondly, you can use side brackets instead of mounting screws. The side brackets anchor the dishwasher onto the sides of the cabinet or countertop instead of the top surface of that countertop.
Ask an experienced person to watch everything that you do as you install a dishwasher for the first time. That individual will correct any errors that you make before they result into worse problems.
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