Did you recently buy a dishwasher and now need to install it? If the answer is yes, you might be wondering where to drill a hole for the appliance's drain hose. The hole's location is crucial in making sure water doesn't back up or get stuck from your hose. To help you with this question, we've done extensive research.
You should drill a hole for your dishwasher drain hose close to the base of your sink at the back of the cabinet. The hole should be 1 1/2 to 1 3/8 inches in size and as high as possible, so water doesn't back up or get stuck in your hose.
Furthermore, the height must be at least 33 inches from the base of the cabinet. But make sure it isn't higher than 43 inches. Following these tips will help your dishwasher drain effectively.
Still unsure about the location of a dishwasher drain hose hole? Don't worry—we've got the information you need. Additionally, you may be confused about what to do after successfully drilling this hole, so we incorporated a guide for hooking up a dishwasher drain hose. Browse no more and read everything we've compiled for you here.
Drill Hole Location For Dishwasher Drain Hose
Make sure to drill the hole for your drain hose on the small section between your sink and your cabinet, which is closest to the back.
The hole can either be 1 1/2 inch, in size because dishwasher drain hoses are typically this size, or 1 3/8 inches to give the hose a little space.
A portion of the dishwasher must be at least 33 inches high from the cabinet, not to exceed 43 inches in height, so the dishwasher properly drains.
How To Attach Dishwasher Drain Hose
You may be done with the preparation for dishwasher installation, including drilling holes for your drain hose, but feel unsure about how to connect the drain hose.
Before attaching the hose, ensure that its drain plug has been removed. If you don't remove it, it will stop your dishwasher from draining.
After putting the drain hose into the hole you drilled, connect it to your dishwasher drain fitting. However, if you don't have one, you must remove your drain tailpiece, the vertical pipe under your sink, and put in a dishwasher tailpiece.
Doing so will give the dirty water from the appliance somewhere to flow. Here is a guide to some of the ways you can connect a drain hose:
Air Gap and Garbage Disposal Connection
- Attach the drain hose's end to the small tailpiece of the air gap fitting with a hose clamp. If the hose is too long, you need to cut it down using a utility knife. This air gap fitting can be found near your sink.
- Connect the other end of the air gap to the garbage disposal using hose clamps. The air gap hose should be just 7 or 8 inches long to make sure that the water flow wouldn't become restricted. Cut it down with a utility knife if it is longer than the suggested length.
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Air Gap Without Garbage Disposal Connection
If you don't have a garbage disposal, connect the end of the hose to the air gap. Then connect the air gap to the drain pipe with a hose clamp.
Do this by attaching the dishwasher drain to the smaller side of the air gap fitting. Then connect the large side of your air gap to the Y-branch tailpiece of the sink drain. This tailpiece should fit the seven- or eight-inch hose of the air gap.
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High Loop To Garbage Disposal Connection
If your local building code allows a high-loop connection instead of an air gap, you can follow these directions:
- Pull the drain hose from the dishwasher. This extra drain hose is required so you can connect it to the garbage disposal.
- Insert the drain hose into a loop and secure it up high under the sink. You can use a large pipe clamp or a flexible pipe strap to secure the hose. Doing this will help with preventing wastewater from backing up into the dishwasher.
- With a hose clamp, attach the hose directly to your garbage disposal. A dishwasher connector fitting can help to ensure that the hose properly connects to the garbage disposal. Use the connector by attaching one of its ends to the drain hose and the other to the garbage disposal.
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High Loop To Drain Connection
You can also opt to directly attach your drain hose to your drain with a high loop. Pull out the drain hose and loop up high under the sink. Secure it with a strap.
Then connect the end of the dishwasher drain hose to the Y-branch tailpiece of your drain and fasten it with a hose clamp. Make sure you have the correct size Y-branch tailpiece for your drain hose.
How To Shorten Dishwasher Drain Hose
A dishwasher drain hose should be the right size or length to work effectively. It is essential to connect your drain hose to a tailpiece. Experts advise 10 to 12 feet of drain hose length for a dishwasher drain hose.
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Cutting your hose shorter will undoubtedly benefit you. You'll need more power to pump water up if it is longer.
Follow these directions to shorten your hose:
- Measure the distance between the hose and the tailpiece.
- When measuring, remember to leave a few inches off and not overstretch the hose, so it doesn't become limp when you set it up.
- Cut the hose with a utility knife. Cut the part you marked when you measured the distance between the hose and the tailpiece.
Can You Extend A Dishwasher Drain Hose?
You can extend your dishwasher drain hose if it is too short and can't access your sewage system. However, ensure you don't put too much extension in the hose as it can cause kinks. Here's a short guide for you:
- Unplug the dishwasher. You may also shut the dishwasher down through your main circuit breaker.
- Measure the diameter of your drain pipe to know the size of the extension you need. Do this by measuring from the center to one of the outside edges and around the opposite edge.
- Attach your extension to your existing dishwasher drain hose.
- Put a two-way drain coupling over a piece of the drain pipe and tighten it using a hose clamp.
- Insert the extension to the other side of the drain coupling before tightening them with a hose clamp again.
Check out this post on extending a dishwasher drain hose for more information: How To Extend Dishwasher Drain Hose
How Often Should You Replace A Dishwasher Drain Hose?
Dishwasher hoses, including their drain hose, must be replaced every three to five years, even when there is no visible wear and tear.
Because dishwasher hoses can have several leaks over time, you must change them for the maximum effectiveness and drainage of your appliance.
Furthermore, dishwashers require high pressure and a hydraulic shock every wash cycle, which can be demanding for any hose.
Because of this, the hose typically tends to lose flexibility and get damaged over time, especially hoses made of rubber. Replacing the hose helps you maintain the level of functionality of the appliance.
Read this post to learn how to replace or attach a new dishwasher drain hose:
How To Attach Drain Hose To Dishwasher
In Closing
You must drill a hole for your dishwasher drain hose near the back and the highest spot of the cabinet you placed it in. However, do not place your hose more than 33-43 inches above the floor.
After drilling a hole for your drain hose, you must then attach it to a garbage disposal system or a tailpiece for drainage.
There are different ways to do this, including air gap and garbage disposal connection, air gap without garbage disposal connection, high loop to garbage disposal connection, and high loop to drain connection.
Before you go, read this post about unclogging a dishwasher drain hose for your appliance's maintenance:
How To Unclog A Dishwasher Drain Hose
