Even after searching the archives, I’m still trying to get my arms around the root purpose for the dishwasher air gap. I assume that it is to prevent the dishwasher from siphoning water from the trap back into the dishwasher after the pump stops. Or, I guess it could be to prevent sewage from getting into the dishwasher if there was a backup. Neither of these circumstances seems likely, but keeping sewage out of the dishwasher seems desirable. In any event, like many people, I dont want to occupy my only spare hole in the sink with an air gap. Can I accomplish the same thing with a check valve and a vented loop? The check valve would brevent a backup of sewage and the vented loop would prevent siphoning. Anybody think that will cover the same set of circumstances that the air gap would?
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I've read that it's OK to just have a tall loop under the sink. That's how our dishwasher was installed. It seems to be working alright.
from the Hometime site: "Loop the drain hose high up under the sink so if there's a clog in the sink drain, it won't immediately run down into the dishwasher. Some local codes may require additional measures to prevent this."
Check your local codes. A simple phone call to your heath dept. or plumbing inspector will get you the answer for your area.
My caution on using a check valve would be to to use a backflow preventer instead. They are made for waste line and function like a check valve (same basic design, but uses a light weight rubber flapper instead of a metal one).
Dave
only thing we have to do here is run the hose to the garabage disposel. no loop, no air gap