Most manufacturers specify a 12-foot maximum. Some state it as “distance to drain,” while others specify it as the length of the drain hose, which is more restrictive because the hose must rise up to the bottom of the counter top for a “high drain loop” or “air gap,” and then back down to the drain, which uses additional hose length.

    Also, the height of the drain connection should not be more than 6-feet above the bottom of the dishwasher. It's more difficult for the dishwasher to pump the discharge vertically than horizontally, but this restriction is not a problem in most installations.

    An excessively long drain hose is more likely to clog over time and/or overload the dishwasher pump motor. See our blog posts Can a dishwasher drain hose be connected after the sink trap (to the trap arm)? and Can a dishwasher be wired to a kitchen counter small appliance receptacle circuit? for an explanation of two common installation defects.

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Here’s links to a collection of some of our other blog posts about APPLIANCES: 

• What are the building code requirements for installing an appliance (furnace, air handler, water heater) in the attic?

• Which house appliances need a dedicated electrical circuit? 

• Is a washing machine drain hose required to be secured at the standpipe?

• When was GFCI-protection for kitchen dishwasher receptacle outlet first required? 

• Why does venting a clothes dryer into a garage, attic, or crawl space cause problems?

• Does a refrigerator water supply line require a shutoff valve behind it? 

• My spa tub stopped working. What's wrong?

• What is the maximum recommended height above the floor for an above-the-range microwave?

• Why would a home have natural gas appliaces but no gas meter? 

• Is a hot water faucet required at a washing machine?

• Can I remove a 240-volt range receptacle and hard-wire the range? 

• Can a dishwasher be wired to a kitchen counter small appliance receptacle circuit?

• Why is it bad to have a clothes dryer vent near an air conditioning condenser (outdoor unit)? 

• Do home inspectors test the appliances?

• What are the most common defects with over-the-range microwaves?

• Are a range and refrigerator required kitchen appliances for a house to pass FHA inspection? 

• What are the code requirements for an outdoor dryer vent cover?

• What is the maximum length for a clothes dryer vent? 

• Why are my ceiling fan blades drooping?

• How do you inspect a dryer vent? 

• Why is there a water hose connected to the back of the clothes dryer?

    Visit our APPLIANCES and PLUMBING pages for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.