Last Updated on May 19, 2023 by River Tree Farms
A dishwasher is another blessing of modern technology. It saves you from the hassle of washing a pile of dirty dishes. Can you imagine a day without it? I guess not.
But what if your dishwasher is not draining properly? What if your kitchen sink and the floor get flooded with dirty water? How do you solve the problem?
One of the common reasons for a dishwasher not properly draining is probably due to a short draining hose. Once you extend it a bit, you may solve the problem in a snap. But do you know how to extend the dishwasher drain hose? Are you looking for a step-by-step guide? If yes, jump right into the article because that is what we will discuss exactly!
Can I Lengthen A Dishwasher Drain Hose?
Before we jump into the extending process, let me clear up the confusion first. We often get asked whether it is possible to lengthen a dishwasher drain hose. Yes, it is possible. You can easily increase its length by installing a dishwasher drain hose extension.
Generally, a dishwasher is set in a way to share the same drainage system as the kitchen sink. But not all kitchens are built in the same style. So, sometimes the distance between the sink and the dishwasher may be slightly longer.
If that’s the case, you can quite easily extend the hose length with an additional hose. First, it is very easy to do. And it will save the cost of remodeling your kitchen!
How To Extend The Dishwasher Drain Hose? Step By Step
Is your dishwasher drain hose too short for proper drainage? It is not uncommon for users to face this problem. However, you already know it is possible to extend the drain hose. And you don’t have to change the place of your dishwasher for that!
But how do you extend it? When it comes to electric appliances, you need to follow proper guidelines. Else, there may be unwanted accidents. Follow our step-by-step guide below to learn how to extend the dishwasher drain hose accurately.
1. Measure The Hose
Firstly, you have to measure the diameter of your existing drain hose. It will help you to know which size extension to buy. If you buy a mismatched extension hose by mistake, you will need to exchange it as it won’t fit the current one.
So, save the double trouble and measure the hose first. It will also give you a decent idea about the coupling’s size.
2. Get The Supplies
If you are not planning to call a plumber for this simple work, you will need some supplies. After all, you can’t do all the clamping, coupling, and all other plumbing with bare hands. So, what are those?
To install a secure drain hose, you will need a drain extension hose, obviously. Other than that, pliers, clamps, two-way couplings, and screwdrivers. If you are going to connect the house with the main pipe itself, you will also need a barb union. Mainly, A Y or T hose barbs are used for this purpose. You can also get a towel to avoid the watery mess caused by the slight leak.
3. Disconnect The Power
The most important rule of working with any electric gadget is to turn it off first. You have to ensure it is totally disconnected from the power source. It would be best to take out the plug for the dishwasher drain hose extension first. Flipping the circuit breaker off that particular area of your home is better.
4. Turn Off The Water Supply
You don’t want to turn your kitchen into a swimming pool, do you? If not, you have to turn off the dishwasher’s water supply before you start working with the pipe.
Turn the controlling knob on your water pipes to restrict the water flow into the dishwasher. Now, you are set to work without worrying about heavy water leakage.
5. Find And Loosen The Drain Pipes
Locate the drain pipe where you plan to add the hose extension. Remove the screws with a screwdriver and disconnect the hose from it. Generally, the tubes are placed inside the cabinet system. So, you may need to open them first to access the pipe. You can place a towel beneath it when you loosen the pipe.
But if your dishwasher hose directly goes inside the kitchen sink draining hole, you don’t need to do this. You can pull out the existing hose from the hole. Now, all you need to do is add the extension hose with it.
6. Apply The Coupling
After opening the drain pipe, it is time to install the two-way couplers. It is a metallic two-faced part that will allow you to connect the extension with the line.
First, put one side of the pipe into the coupling one side. Then tighten and secure it with clamps. Similarly, put the extension hose’s one part into the coupling’s other side. Fix this part with a clamp too.
This job can also be done with rubber adapters. Whichever you think works best, go along with it.
7. Install The Extension
If you have followed our directions, you have successfully added the extension hose with the main pipe. Now, all left is connecting it to the pre-existing dishwasher drain. And that is pretty easy.
First, you have to do is loosen the drain hose clamp. Slip the remaining end of the new extension hose into it. Tighten it with the clamp. That’s it. Yes, that’s all you need to do!
8. Secure The Connection
After successfully installing the extension drain hose, it’s time to secure the connections. Make sure the clamps on the main drain pipe are tight enough. Otherwise, you will face a severe leakage problem.
Check other parts, too, to ensure they are secured in place. Finally, turn the water valve on the pipeline to reestablish the water flow.
10. Time To Test
Now, it’s time to test. You need to check whether you have extended the drain hose correctly or not. Plug in the dishwasher and turn it on. If you see the water flowing through the drainage system without leaking, you can assume you have done an excellent job.
How Long Can A Dishwasher Drain Line Be?
The dishwasher’s drain hose length varies according to the models and manufacturers. 6 feet is considered a standard measure for the drain hoses. However, it can extend more than that.
Sometimes, 6 feet of hose length is not enough for the dishwasher to connect with the kitchen sink. If the hose length falls short and cannot be attached to the main drain line, drain hose extension is the only option.
You can extend a dishwasher drain line up to 10 to 12 feet. However, it is better to keep the length under 10 feet for proper drainage.
If the drain line is too long, it may get crumpled and looped, which may cause a discontinuous flow of dirty water.
Can You Splice A Dishwasher Drain Hose?
Yes, you definitely can! Splicing a dishwasher drain hose may not sound right, but it is actually done during hose extension. If you think the draining hose of your dishwasher is not long enough and want to extend it a bit, you can do so. And some of the users and plumbers like to use the splicing method for the extension installation.
If you want to add an extension hose to the current one, use splicing to cut in the middle of the existing hose first. Now, add a two-way coupling or rubber adapters on both ends. Then, take the extension hose and connect its two ends with the spliced ends. Secure the connections with hose clamps. And you have an extended dishwasher drain hose!
Frequently-Asked Questions
1. What is the size of the coupler for the dishwasher drain hose?
A coupler is a two-way metallic part you need to connect the hose with the main drain pipe. Usually, ½ inches couplers are ideal for the dishwasher drain hose.
2. What is the minimal length of a dishwasher drain hose?
Six feet is considered standard for any dishwasher drain hose. This measure is taken into consideration so that it can adequately reach the main drain pipe without much slack. However, some companies like to make it a little longer.
3. How far can you extend the dishwasher drain hose?
According to the standard, you can extend a dishwasher drain hose up to 5 inches into the main drain pipe. However, some models and manufacturers allow for 7 inches extension into the drain pipe. But not more than that.
Final Thoughts
Dishwasher drain hose extension is pretty easy if you know the correct way to do it. We have tried to make it as simple as possible and tell you how to extend the dishwasher drain hose. Do you think it was helpful? Can you do it yourself now without needing a plumber?
Hopefully, you can. We wish you luck with your dishwasher drain hose extension. Have good plumbing!
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