Dishwasher Air Vent Alternative

I have just had new counters installed and now when the dishwasher drains, water pours out the dishwasher air vent and pours all over the counter tops due to the undermount sink. I want to run the dishwasher drain line directly into the garbage disposal to avoid the vent but I am not sure it is legal to codes. Anyone know?

Alan Stanwyck

Depends on where you live...need to ask the inspector. But, it shouldn't leak, either.

I fixed one for a guy where the hose was kinked just a bit where it went into the disposer. Make sure the hose is clean and large enough.

After the job is inspected, only you will know if the air vent is eliminated. And it will work. Mine has worked for 40 years.

There is disagreement as to the necessity of an air gap for a DW, some codes require one, some don't. If you do not use one, the drain hose is looped up and is attached to the underside of the counter in at least 2 places so that the hose can not sag and kink. If you local code requires an air gap and the installation is going to be inspected, then you have to use one. Either way will work and neither installation should ever leak.

Sounds like someone forgot to knock out the plug in the garbage disposal. Air Gaps are mandatory in KY for dishwashers. No exceptions.

Good point Rugged! This is easy to check...unscrew the clamp on the hose as it goes into the gd (it does go there?). Then, stick a screwdriver in the thing and see if it goes through (I think you can see the hole from the drain if the light is good). If it only goes in the length of the stub, they didn't knock out the plug. Make sure you retrieve the plug so you don't end up trying to grind it up...it makes a racket. And, it wouldn't be a bad idea to turn off the CB before mucking around with it, either.