How To Connect Dishwasher And Washing Machine To One Waste Pipe

If you already have a washing machine plumbed in and want to get a dishwasher too, you’ll want to know if you can use both appliances at the same time – and if you can buy longer hoses and run them under the kitchen cupboards.

Installing waste pipes for washing machines and dishwashers can be done quite simply, but extra-long hoses tend to sag and let stale waster stand in them. See how to connect dishwasher and washing machine to one waste pipe here…

Setting Up

Place your dishwasher on a firm, level floor close to an outside wall if possible. This appliance will need a water supply and waste pipe just like your washing machine. Your washing machine is normally connected to both hot and cold water systems – the dishwasher usually only needs a cold water supply.

Both appliances need to be plugged into a standard socket. This can be above the work surface or running from a socket below to a switched fused connection unit above the work surface – the additional cable serves the machine with a neon light indicating when the machine is switched on. If you need to install a new electric socket you should bring in a qualified electrician.

If the hoses won’t reach the existing supply pipes, you’ll need to add fittings as described below and run branch pipes to the machines. These should end with mini stop-valves to which the hoses can be connected.

If the supply pipes run close to the machine, you can simply fit the stop valves and screw the hoses to them. An alternative is to fit self-cutting connectors which contain isolating valves that can be installed without draining the pipes.

Pipe Connections

A washing machine and dishwasher splitter is a Y or T piece shaped device that allows two appliances to be connected to one outlet. They come in a range of materials including plastic and brass.

Push-fit plastic compression waste pipes have many advantages including their ability to join old pipes to new and are easy to fit and adjust. And if a connection fails, they are simple to remove and refit with a new one, avoiding cutting pipes and solvent welding.

Making use of two appliances to one water delivery and drainage system may improve the efficiency of the hot water system. So, running the two appliances together can actually be beneficial.

Waste Discharge

Both your washing machine and dishwasher have a flexible waste hose that needs to discharge into a waste pipe above the level of the top of the drum. The easiest solution here is to put your appliances near to a sink and install a non-return valve to prevent any back-siphonage of wastewater, or you could consider fixing a hook to the underside of the work surface and securing the hose to it so that it runs higher than the level of the sink overflow.

Waste pipes should be a minimum of 762mm (30 inches) high to ensure that back-siphoning doesn’t take place and in order for the drain hose to function properly. You can buy an additional waste outlet pipe as a kit – but you need to make sure the end is at least 600mm above floor level.

Check the Connections

You’ll need to check the pipes and connections for leaks before positioning your new appliance flush against the wall. Turn on the water supply valves and if it all looks fine you can plug in the machine and do a short wash cycle to ensure that the wastewater drains away.

Need Professional Help?

Washing machine repair London specialists have all the expertise needed to assist with pipe connections. You’ll get a fully insured and guaranteed service delivered by fully trained technicians. And you’ll be able to make a hassle-free appointment six days a week with short-notice bookings available.