Replies

1. 
   Clay | Mar 05, 2003 09:43am | #1

   Darren;  My plumbers usually do not install an air gap at all.  They just loop the dishwasher drain hose as high as possible (next to the countertop) and then down to the drain on the garbage disposal or tailpiece.  I have had no problems with such installations and my inspectors don't complain either.

2. 
   Steve1 | Mar 05, 2003 05:07pm | #2

   ive installed hundreds of dishwashers and have never used an air gap, dont see the need for it

   just make sure the drain hose goes as high as posible before the drain, under the kitchen sink if posible

   dont tie the dw unto a garbage disposal unit either, the soap from a dw is very corrosive and can chew up aluminum in a short time

3. 
   rjw | Mar 05, 2003 05:23pm | #3

   Check with local experts.  As others noted, many areas don't require them.  I've seen 3 in about 2,000 houses I've inspected, and 2 of them weren't actually connected!?!

   As noted, just high loop the DW drain.

   _______________________

   "I may have said the same thing before... But my explanation, I am sure, will always be different."  Oscar Wilde

4. 
   KARLSTER | Mar 05, 2003 05:55pm | #4

   Double check with your dishwasher manufacturer.  A plumber once mentioned to me that most of the european dishwashers (bosch, miele, etc) have an integral air gap.  Unfortunately even if that is the case it can be a challenge to convince the bldg inspector that one isn't reqd. 

   I don't have an air gap on my maytag and it has not presented any problems.

   Karl

5. 
   RichBeckman | Mar 05, 2003 06:26pm | #5

   I just went through this. Looked high and low for a concealed air gap...and everywhere I went I was looked at like I was nuts. Of course, I live in a small town, so high and low doesn't end up being that many places.

   "Why do you want to put an air gap in??"

   "Because the instructions recommend it??"

   "Never seen it done".

   The other interesting thing about the air gap is the part that is sold for an above counter air gap is designed for two different sizes of drain hose. One size coming in, and another size going out. In other words, you have to end up with an adapter somewhere to accomodate. No one could explain that either.

   I left the air gap out. As near as I can determine, the worse that can happen is food that is put down the disposal could, under very specific circumstances, end up in the dishwasher (perhaps soiling clean dishes). I explained that to the customer and looped the drain hose as high as possible.

   Rich Beckman

   Another day, another tool.

1. 
   Steve1 | Mar 05, 2003 07:07pm | #6

   hey rick i strongly recommend NOT to run the dw waste into the disposal unit especially if it has aluminum components

   ive seen 2 year old disposers corroded away at the side drain connection

   that part is aluminum in most units

   dw soap is very corrosive to aluminum

1. 
   RichBeckman | Mar 06, 2003 12:44am | #8

   Steve,

   Yeah, I noticed your post above. I've seen many a dishwasher drained through the disposal and I'm not aware of that problem ever occurring.

   You mention the side drain connection being aluminum. Seems to me that the units I've dealt with that part was plastic.

   Something to pay attention to in the future.

   Rich Beckman

   Another day, another tool.

1. 
   Darren | Mar 07, 2003 06:10am | #9

   Thank you all for your quick responses.  I think I will install the ultmate "concealed" air gap: none at all!

   Darren

2. 
   rjw | Mar 05, 2003 11:16pm | #7

   I just went through this. Looked high and low for a concealed air gap...

   Come to think of it, if you could find one, it wouldn't be concealed, would it? {G}_______________________

   "I may have said the same thing before... But my explanation, I am sure, will always be different."  Oscar Wilde