Having a dishwasher in the house helps keep your kitchen clean. Often times while installing the dishwasher, there is a gap between the dishwasher and countertop. If you would like to close this gap, we asked interior decor experts the quickest way to do this, here's their reply.
You can use different methods to cover the gap above your dishwasher. The quickest and easiest way is using wood to fill the space. You can do this by following these steps:
- Measure the gap
- Cut and paint your wood
- Add a bracket and fasten the wood panel
- Bind the pieces of wood
This article will explain all you need to understand about how to cover the gap above a dishwasher easily, so continue reading to learn more.
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How To Quickly Fill The Gap Above a Dishwasher
If your new dishwasher doesn't quite fit in its intended space you would probably like to quickly fill the gap above it. Here is a quick and easy procedure you should follow using wood.
Measure The Gap Cut Wood
The first step in any type of construction is to measure the area with a measuring tape. To do this, place the tape next to the space, and it will indicate the distance between the two objects.
Cut & Paint Wood
Next, cut the wood that will be able to fill the space between the dishwasher and the countertop. The measurement you took earlier is what you will use for this. And after the wood is finished, set it aside.
Now that the pieces of wood have been trimmed down to the appropriate dimensions, they need to be painted. Therefore, for this, you should use paint consistent with your kitchen's design.
Add a Bracket and Fasten The Wood Panel
Installing the L-brackets into the space is the next step to take. The wooden panels will have this as a support underneath them. Use your screwdriver as well as some wood screws.
Using those two items, fasten the L-bracket to the countertop at a point that is one inch below its surface, then install the remaining three brackets. One will be placed at a distance of one-half an inch from the front of the cabinet.
The second one will be installed one inch higher above the toe kick. And locate the final one in the exact middle of the dishwasher. Next, add the wood panels on the bracket.
Check out this Yumore L Bracket on Amazon.
Bind The Pieces of Wood
Use putty along the wood to cover up all of the joints. There should be no gaps or openings visible between the wood panels.
Why is There a Gap Above My Dishwasher?
The dishwasher air gap prevents any unclean dishwater from reentering the appliance. This is made possible by the fact that your dishwasher drains straight into the plumbing in your kitchen. The gap above your dishwasher also prevents the buildup of heat around the dishwasher.
Can You Put a Dishwasher on the Countertop?
Yes, you can put the dishwasher on the countertop. The plumbing for a countertop dishwasher is simple to install. Here are the simple procedures to follow.
- Plug in the dishwasher
- Connect the inlet line and the drain hose
- Turn on the water, and start
The connection of the hoses is quick and simple, and it does not require the use of any tools.
How Do You Install a Dishwasher Air Gap?
If you have a clogged trash disposal and you are washing dishes, the last thing you want is for the dishes to come out with streaks of grime on them because the grime was sucked in from the garbage disposal.
A dishwasher air gap is a little component, about the size of a tennis ball, that links your dishwasher to the drain in the kitchen sink. It is typically attached to the wall above the sink, next to the faucet.
This mechanism is designed to stop contaminated water from draining back into the dishwasher after it has been used. They are critical pieces of equipment from a functional point of view.
A dishwater air gap prevents your dishwater from overflowing with wastewater. During installation, your technician must have mentioned this term, and you might be curious about how it is done. Here are the procedures:
Check For The Hole In Your Counter That Serves as an Air Gap
Most counters already come with an air gap. You will need to drill an air gap hole in your countertop on your own if it does not already have one.
- Utilizing an electric drill and hole saw, create a hole in the countertop measuring 1-3/8 inches in diameter.
- Cover your countertop with tape to prevent scratches. The shorter leg of the air gap is where the drain line from the dishwasher will connect.
- Join the tube with a 5/8-inch diameter to the air gap's 5/8-inch leg.
- Make sure the tube is firmly attached to the air gap by utilizing hose clamps made of stainless steel.
Attach The Air Gap To The Drain Hose or Waste Disposal
To connect the air gap to either your drain or your garbage disposal, do the following:
- Measure out and cut a section of tubing.
- Use a hose clamp to fasten the tube to the open space in the wall.
- Connect the tube to the Y-branch tailpiece that connects the sink to the drain.
- Use a hose clamp to secure the tubing.
Insert The Gap Into The Top of The Counter
The next step is to insert the gap into the top of the counter; here's how to do this:
- Take off the vanity cover that is located on the air gap heading.
- Feed it through the hole in the counter when it is positioned below.
- By threading the nut along the threads of the air gap, you can tighten the air gap so that it is flush on the counter.
- When you are installing the air gap, it is recommended that you have an aide hold it in place to prevent it from spinning while you are installing it.
- After manually threading the nut onto the air gap to stabilize it, use a wrench to ensure that the air gap is firmly connected to the counter. Return the vanity cover to its original position over the air gap.
Check the tube connections as well as the air gap to see if there are any signs of leaking. Also, inspect to see that neither the air gap nor the garbage disposal is letting any water through so that it can drip into your cabinet.
How Big Is an Air Gap For Dishwashers?
The two side inlets' connection sizes are 5/8 inches outer diameter (OD) and 7/8 inches outside diameter (OD), respectively, to accept a 7/8 inch inner diameter (ID) air gap to the garbage disposal output hose.
A dishwasher air gap is a device that is positioned approximately two inches above the sink. Its purpose is to prevent polluted water from backflowing into the dishwasher from the drain.
What is a Dishwasher Toe Kick?
The electrical, water, and drain hose connection points on a dishwasher are concealed just above the floor by a toe kick extending from the appliance's bottom.
Because of this access, it is possible to make straightforward repairs to the appliance without having to remove the dishwasher from the location where it was built in.
What Are Cabinet Filler Strips?
Cabinet filler strips are used to cover any openings that may exist in cabinetry or furniture. Some of the strips will be reversible and may contain a fluted or beaded pattern. You can install cabinet filler strips on your own at home.
Check out this SameTech Filler Strip on Amazon.
Conclusion
On a final note, if there is a gap between your dishwasher and the countertop, you might try adjusting the stands. Most machines include feet that are adjustable for this reason. If it does not work, raise the dishwasher by placing two wooden planks beneath the left and right legs.
Typically, the bottom metal plate of a dishwasher expands to cover the "risers." If it does not, the space at the bottom can be covered with a piece of painted wood or molding.
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