What Makes This Easy
The hardest part of installing or replacing a kitchen faucet is crawling under the sink base cabinet. To assist with that, build up a platform on the kitchen floor to match the level of the sink base cabinet, so that the edge of the cabinet does not cut into your back. You can use scrap lumber, rigid foam insulation pieces, or anything that can act as a platform.
How To Plumb A Kitchen Sink
Assuming a new kitchen sink installation, you will need the following materials:
- Sink. You can buy this at your local home improvement store.
- Drain assembly kit. This includes a waste elbow, tailpiece, trap arm, and extension tube.
- P-trap. Use a 1-1/2 inch P-trap for double sinks and a 1-1/4 inch P-trap for single sinks. Both sizes are universal and fit all standard-sized drain openings.
- Supply tubes . These are usually made of copper or CPVC and come in 3-foot sections. They should be no more than 6 feet in length to avoid pressure loss at the faucet head.
Choose either 1/2 inch or 3/8 inch supply tubes depending on how far the sink is from the shutoff valve on the wall. The larger the distance, the bigger size pipe you need to use to maintain good water pressure at the faucet head.
Importance Of A High Loop
When youre connecting your dishwasher drain pipe to your garbage disposal, it is crucial that you loop the drainpipe as high as possible. Implementing a high loop will help break pressure and prevent water from flowing back into your dishwasher. If the loop is not high enough, it could result in moisture build-up, mold, and dirty dishes being rinsed and washed with the same water.
These are all consequences that can be detrimental to your health and the health of your family. To avoid these issues, always make sure that your loop is high, unhindered, and unkinked.
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Be Precise When Doing Your Double Sink Drain Line Plumbing
It definitely is tougher doing double kitchen sink plumbing than single sink plumbing even though they both only have a single drain. You have to add a drain assembly to the bottom of each sink before they tee together to go down the single drain. That means you can run into more problems if you dont do it right.
You also have twice as many problems you can run into with a double sink setup. So that means you have to be very careful that you plumb, so there is no restrictions or clogging. There are also twice as many places that can leak with a double sink drain setup.
Air Gap Dishwasher Connection

An air gap connection was once the preferred method of connecting a dishwasher drain, though its practicality has faded. An air gap is a small metal or plastic fitting that is installed on the countertop or sink and usually has a decorative cap. The device has two hose fittings on its underside, below the sink or countertop. The incoming dishwasher drain hose connects to one fitting, while a secondary hose runs from the other fitting to the kitchen sink’s drain pipe or garbage disposer.
The air gap works by allowing fresh air into the drain hose if there is a backup causing negative pressure. This eliminates any suction force that can draw water back into the dishwasher chamber. Air gaps are designed to fit into an existing mounting hole on the top of the sink . They are available in a variety of finishes to match your faucet and sink.
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Plumbing A Kitchen Island Sink
Plumbing an island kitchen sink isn’t actually too different from plumbing a regular kitchen sink there’s just one key difference, the venting. A vent is typically installed 6 inches above the overflow level to ensure that air can flow in and the water pressure remains even. In an island sink, this isnt an option.
Instead, you need to install an island vent that goes as high as possible within the cabinet before flowing through the drain.
- 1Connect your P trap Use a pipe to connect your P trap to your venting. This will allow you to direct the water across to a tee connector, your vent, and your drain. Use connector rings to hold this in place, and use a wrench to tighten both ends.
- 2Attach your vent Attach your venting pipe above the pipe to allow air to flow into your water supply. The other end of the venting pipe should go down into the floor and connect to your drains. Again, use connecting rings to secure in place and then a wrench to tighten.
Installing Water Supply Lines
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The Hazards Of Grease Down Your Kitchen Sink
Another hazard for your kitchen plumbing system is grease going down your drains. When grease, animal fats, and oil are hot, they stay in a liquid form. But once they cool, many types of oils and greases become solid. When you pour them down your drains, that grease slowly cools as it moves its way through the pipes. This can leave a buildup of solid grease inside your drain lines that not only block the system, but also attract food particles and other debris. Over time, this will narrow the diameter of your pipes and can lead to slow and completely clogged drains.
Instead of pouring grease, oil, and animal fats down your drains, try pouring grease into disposable containers, like empty coffee cans or food jars, and throwing it away in your garbage. If you do happen to get a drain line clog, our plumbers can come out and clear them out.
What Are Citywides Hours Of Operation And Are They Open On Saturday And Sunday
CityWIDE is open 24/7/365, including weekends. We pride ourselves on being available at all hours of the day or night to respond to any plumbing emergency you may encounter. It is our goal to provide timely emergency service and weâll give you fair- up-front cost estimate before we start any work.
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If You Require An Air Gap
Step 1
First, turn off the water supply completely. Then, cut the required hole in your countertop or sink basin. Be sure it is big enough to nicely fit the airgap stem.
Step 2
Now, feed the airgap stem through, ensuring you have left one rubber washer on the top end. Once its through, place the other washer over the stem, followed by the compression nut. Tighten the nut whilst holding the top end of the airgap that is above the hole. Once everything is fairly snug, grip the top end of the airgap with a pair of pliers and use another pair to tighten the nut underneath. The required washers and nuts will come with the airgap kit.
Step 3
Now run your dishwashers drain pipe up to the smaller outlet on the airgap stem. Attach it using the compression nut or hose clamp provided with the kit. Be sure it is tight. I suggest you also check the clamp on the hose on the dishwasher-end of the drain pipe. Ensure that it is liked correctly and fastened well, or the water will never even make it as far as the airgap!
Step 4
Use a measure tape to check the distance from the larger outlet on your airgap to the drain line for your kitchen sink. Cut the spare piping provided with the kit to the correct size. Now attach the one end of the pipe to the second outlet on the airgap stem the same way you attached the dishwasher pipe to the first outlet.
Step 5
Step 6
Air Gap Or No Air Gap
Before you proceed with begin connecting a dishwasher drain without a garbage disposal, you need to know whether or not the installation requires an air gap. In some areas of the world, plumbing regulations specify that an air gap must be installed on either a countertop or sink if youre running a dishwasher. The dishwasher drain will first connect to this air gap and then to your sink drain.
An air gap, in plumbing trade, refers to the unobstructed vertical space between the flood level of a fixture and the water outlet. Its primary purpose is to provide back-flow prevented for an installed dishwasher.
Although double sink dishwasher installs with an air gap may not look as appealing, they may be required by law. If your plumbing code does not require an air gap, you can simply use a high loop, which was described earlier on.
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Most Common Installation Defects
Incorrect Side of the Trap
If the wye is connected to your drainage system after the trap in your piping, it can lead to numerous problems such as sewer gas leaking in to your dishwasher, water running back into the dishwasher, cross-contamination, and more. It could even lead to a backup that floods your kitchen. It is imperative that the wye is installed in the bridging or directly after the bridging of your sinks and before the S or P trap that these lead to.
No High Loop
If you are not using an airgap to prevent back-run, its of the utmost importance that you loop your dishwasher drainpipe as high as possible to break pressure and prevent water from being able to flow back in to your dishwasher. If this is not done you could get mould, moisture build up, dirty dishes rinsed in the same water they were washed with, and much more that could go as far as threatening your health. This is why some areas have laws demanding the use of an airgap. Always ensure your loop is high, unkinked, and unhindered!
And that is how to install dishwasher drain to double sink. It need not be difficult at all! If you follow this guide you would be doing it right the first time and can rest easy knowing you pulled off a nifty DIY project successfully. I wish you luck in your installation, and enjoy the convenience of your new dishwasher!
How To Plumb A Double Kitchen Sink With A Disposal And Dishwasher

If your double sink plumbing system already has a garbage disposal, it is a simple process to connect a dishwasher drain as there is already an outlet designed into the disposal specifically for dishwashers. Follow these steps to successfully plumb a double kitchen sink with a disposal and dishwasher:
Thats all there is to it! Though, if your double sink plumbing system does not have a garbage disposal, the process is much more involved.
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Adding Your Dishwasher Wye
Measure the wyes length. Then, cut the pipe that will join in the right place. To properly set up the why, make sure the vertical nozzle faces upward and the dishwasher angled nozzle faces the wye.
- Connect the wye to the sinking bridge with nuts and washers to provide a watertight connection.
- Connect the wye to the other pipe end that comes out of the air stem hose nozzle.
Once youve connected the drainpipe to the wye, your kitchen double sink with disposal and dishwasher is complete. Next, turn on the water supply and see if everything youve done has worked and your one-inch hose clamp doesnt leak.
Why Is A Drainage Setup Necessary
Once your dishwasher is done doing its primary job, it needs to send that mucky water out and in to your homes drainage system to get rid of it safely. If this is not done, or done incorrectly, that water will simply dirty up your dishes again, create a mess everywhere, possibly flood your kitchen, and the list of potential disasters goes on. Trust me, this is something you want to do and get right the first time!
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- Two extra rubber compression washers
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How To Install A Tail Piece On A Kitchen Sink With A Dishwasher Drain
Dishwashers eject spent water with considerable force, so it’s important to connect them properly to the existing plumbing. On sinks with a garbage disposer installed, a connection is provided on the disposer for this purpose. But if you don’t have a disposer, the plumbing can get complicated. One of the easiest methods is to replace the existing tail piece on your kitchen sink with one that has a dishwasher drain connection, known as a dishwasher branch tail piece.
1.
Place a bucket under the sink beneath the drain trap to catch leaks.
2.
Detach the large nut holding the top of the old tail piece to the sink drain outlet. The tail piece is connected either directly to the bottom of the basket strainer or to an intermediate piece attached to the strainer with a slip-joint connector, depending on the type of sink and drain arrangement. Although drain line nuts should generally be installed hand-tight, it may be necessary to use a pipe wrench or adjustable wrench to remove them.
3.
Detach the lower slip-joint connector holding the bottom of the tail piece into the trap. Swivel the trap slightly so that the end of the old tail piece will pull up and out of the trap.
5.
Place a new slip-joint connecting nut on the bottom of the branch connector, followed by a new gasket. Slide the end of the branch tail piece into the trap and loosely thread on the slip-joint nut.
References
Tips
Writer Bio
How To Plumb A Kitchen Sink Drain With Dishwasher
Plumbing is regarded to be one of the greatest professions out there. This is because with the development in human psyche, people are moving towards living a much more hygienic life. This hygienic life can only be brought about, if the area where everyone bathes, goes to the bathroom in and prepares their food at is clean and has ample running water.
Not many people grown up wanting to be plumbers, but those who do, end up living some very profitable lives, simply because of how important plumbing has become in our day to day lives.
Now in every house, there is a kitchen, and in every kitchen there is a sink. Now these sinks have withstood a lot of hardships over the years, with people dumping countless things down them. This is not a very nice thing to do to the drain, but people tend to be far too lazy to go ahead and throw away items, so they flush them down the sink. This can often lead to the sink getting clogged, which requires it to be plumbed.
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What Is Dishwasher Venting
Dishwasher venting prevents dirty water from re-entering the dishwasher. There are several common ways to do this: creating a high loop in the drain hose, connecting the hose to an air gap fitting, or installing a check valve on the drain line.
In any case, it is important to check local building and plumbing codes before installing a new dishwasher. The local code rules dictate the legal requirements in your area. Contact your city’s building department or visit online for more information. In some areas, a high loop is the minimum requirement, but in many other jurisdictions, an air gap must be installed with all new dishwashers.
Plumbing A Kitchen Double Sink With Dishwasher And Disposal
Double kitchen sink plumbing is basically the installation of a double basin sink in your kitchen. Unlike single sink plumbing, the installation of a double kitchen sink is significantly more difficult than single sink plumbing.
Despite the convenience that the double sink offers, its installation is not as easy especially if you do not have any plumbing experience.
However, you should not get worried because we will help you every step of the way to get your plumbing running in a few.
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The Harms Of Drain Cleaning Chemicals On Dishwashers
Its not uncommon to eventually deal with a backed-up dishwasher drain due to the gradual build-up of food particles and grease. When this happens, you may be tempted to pour chemical drain cleaner in your dishwasher. Dont do this!
Chemical drain cleaners contain acid. This acid is designed to dissolve clogs and be rinsed down the plumbing pipes with water. Unfortunately, the drain cleaner does not discriminate. It will dissolve everything it comes in contact with, including the seals on your dishwasher, the drain hose, and the interior of your dishwasher. This could even damage your machine and lead to future dishwasher leaks. Chemical residue is also a problem with drain cleaner. Even if you run your dishwasher after pouring in chemical drain cleaner, there still could be residue left in your machine, and that residue could find its way onto your dishes. Instead of using a chemical drain cleaner in your dishwasher, it is best to call a professional plumber to clean your drains.