Don’t rush to place an order if you want to install a dishwasher: Checklist for kitchen water supply, drainage, electricity and cabinet dimensions in Taipei and New Taipei

Whether a dishwasher can be installed, the problem usually does not lie in the machine itself

In Taipei and New Taipei kitchens, there are three common situations: narrow straight kitchens, old apartments renovated kitchenware, and new house system cabinets. It seems like you only need to free up one lower cabinet, but in fact you need to confirm the water inlet, drainage, power supply, cabinet size and door opening wiring at the same time. The most common rework is when the machine is delivered to the site only to discover that the drain pipe is too high, the socket is hidden behind the machine, or the door is stuck in the aisle after opening.

Measure the four dimensions first, then discuss the brand and capacity

In addition to the width, depth, and height of the fuselage, you must also measure the actual headroom under the countertop, the height of the skirting board, the depth of the rear pipelines, and the distance to the opposite cabinet after the door is opened. Embedded models usually require space for heat dissipation and leg adjustment; although stand-alone models are more flexible, they cannot place the back panel close to the wall. If you want to dismantle the original drawer cabinet, first confirm whether the countertop is supported by the cabinets on both sides. Don't let the countertop lose support in order to insert the machine.

When choosing the capacity, don’t just look at “how many people it serves”. If a two-person family is used to cooking once a day, a narrow model is often enough; if they often cook and have many pots and pans, they should first check whether the bowl basket can fit into the wok and the inner pot of the electric cooker. The visible capacity of the showroom and whether your own tableware and crisper boxes can be placed smoothly are two different things.

Water supply and drainage: Sharing does not mean casual connection

Most household dishwashers require cold water inlet. Water can usually be obtained through a suitable water distribution joint under the sink, but the joints, hoses and water stop valves must remain in a position that can be inspected and closed. Seal the joints deep inside the cabinet, making it difficult to detect a drop of water early in the future. Drainage should be arranged in height and direction according to the product instructions to prevent the pipeline from sagging and accumulating water, being hard-folded, or directly inserted into an unsealed drainage outlet. When the dishwasher drains and the sink use the same drainage system, traps, aging drain pipes, and grease blockage may cause sewage to back up or smell.

In particular, for old houses, you should first observe whether there is water seepage under the sink, swelling of the cabinet board, or slow drainage. If these problems are not dealt with first, new equipment will only increase the frequency of use and the risk of water leakage.

The power supply configuration is more important than the extension cord

The dishwasher includes heating, pump and control modules. It should use a dedicated socket with good grounding and serviceable location. The socket should not be placed directly behind the machine, otherwise the entire machine will have to be pulled out for unplugging and maintenance; nor should it be powered by a porous extension cord for a long time. If the socket loop in an old apartment also carries an oven, microwave oven or electric pot, qualified personnel should confirm the loop load and grounding status before construction. Do not disassemble the distribution box yourself or hard-connect electrical appliances to existing circuits.

Write the scope of construction clearly before installation

The quotation should separately list machine positioning, cabinet disassembly and modification, water supply and drainage materials, socket addition, trial operation and removal of old cabinets. If you live in a building with a management office, you should also first inquire about the construction period, elevator protection and decoration application requirements. After completion, do an empty machine test wash: Check whether the water inlet joint, drain outlet, cabinet bottom and adjacent walls are dry, and then confirm whether the water can be shut off safely after the door is opened and closed and the power is turned off. The convenience of a dishwasher is built on the fact that no invisible plumbing details have been omitted.

When purchasing, compare the warranty conditions together

The warranty not only depends on the number of years, but also whether it includes in-house inspection, parts, moving or disassembly. If you live in an apartment without an elevator, the carrying path and stair corners must be measured in advance; if the kitchenware is still within the warranty period, ask the original manufacturer whether it will affect the existing warranty before dismantling or modifying it. It is recommended to take photos of the pipes under the sink, the size of the openings, and the location of the sockets. This will be useful in the future when replacing the phone, repairing leaks, or reselling the house. Finally, dishwashing powder, softening salt and cleaning procedures should be used according to the machine model, local water quality and instructions. Do not pour unsuitable detergent into the machine to save trouble. It’s these little details that can make new equipment truly reduce household chores rather than add new kitchen hassles.