Hiding a dishwasher air gap?

**peterloron** · 01-16-2012, 11:32 PM

Hello. We're remodling our kitchen, including a new sink and countertop. My wife absolutely loathes the currently installed countertop airgap for the dishwasher. I know the UPC indicates an airgap must be used, however I've seen discussion elsewhere about local codes being different, etc.

Any pointers to what the regulations are in Issaquah and what options I have for this? Will a high loop in the DW drain line suffice?

Thanks!

**Terry** · 01-16-2012, 11:41 PM

Washington State uses the UPC code which needs an air gap.
It's purpose to to keep the water "clean" in the dishwasher. Is that important to her?
If an inspector looks at it, it will be needed.
In most other states, you can high loop it in the cabinet area.
Sometimes in Washington, a plumber will install the air gap for the inspector and then replace it with an air gap after inspection.

Frankly, it's just a little cap on the counter though.
It reminds me of dating. If a man leaves one or two visible things on a bathroom counter, maybe it's a shaving cream can; that can be a deal breaker.

A woman can have twenty things on the counter and it looks neat and tidy, but if she sees something out of place, something that isn't hers, then something must be done. A man learns to hide things like razors and shaving cream. And then a plumbing inspector makes the bad mistake of putting an air gap in the womans world; her domain you might say.

Dear..........what the heck is this chrome cap doing amid all my pots and pans, spatulas, can openers, brushes and coffee things? This one thing that I don't understand is putting me near my breaking point. Please remove this ugly chrome cap from my sight, or you're going to have a rough week.

Some people get dishwashers with water heating to sterilize the water.

More on messy kitchens here

hj · 01-17-2012, 04:58 AM

We also use the UPC here, but I "may" have installed one or two air gaps in the 36 years I have been in this area.

Arizona

**jimbo** · 01-17-2012, 05:59 AM

"local" codes can never be LESS restrictive than the higher jurisdiction. Your city code cannot trump a county or state code.

**DonL** · 01-17-2012, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by jimbo

"local" codes can never be LESS restrictive than the higher jurisdiction. Your city code cannot trump a county or state code.

How does California State get away with breaking Federal laws ???

**Cookie** · 01-17-2012, 07:14 AM

Here's a neat little video to teach her how to clean it, lol., and what a high drain loop is.
http://www.geappliances.com/videos-m...tegoryid=13465

Excellent video,
Terry

...she could always knit a little something,

http://warmfuzzies.typepad.com/warmf...issue_hol.html

only kidding...

( you want one Don?) your wife will love you...

**DonL** · 01-17-2012, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Cookie

Here's a neat little video to teach her how to clean it, lol., and what a high drain loop is.
http://www.geappliances.com/videos-m...tegoryid=13465

...she could always knit a little something,

http://warmfuzzies.typepad.com/warmf...issue_hol.html

only kidding...

( you want one Don?) your wife will love you...

No, I do not have a Air Gap, Nor the requirement.

**Cookie** · 01-17-2012, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by DonL

No, I do not have a Air Gap, Nor the requirement.

shucks, lol.

**DonL** · 01-17-2012, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Cookie

shucks, lol.

I think that code is made for having a Dishwasher and Garbage disposal connect to the same drain, That is stupid anyway.

I am no plumber, as you can tell. And will never own a Garbage disposal.

And a automatic dishwasher will NEVER come close to getting the dishes clean. At best it just sterilizes the food stuck to the dishes. Nothing like a dish rag and some work to make them really clean. People have become Lazy.

Having some Common sense helps...

**Terry** · 01-17-2012, 10:17 AM

A modern dishwasher will get the dishes much cleaner then hand cleaning. You're washing multiple times with the H-Temp water setting, using less water. I can't get them this clean by hand washing.
The Engergyguide is $23.00 for a year. That's 6.3 cents a day if you're using a natural gas water heater.

**Cookie** · 01-17-2012, 10:20 AM

I like paper plates. lol.

**jimbo** · 01-17-2012, 10:28 AM

I have been called a Luddite, but donl is right up there!
First, the most convenient and for other reasons, the preferred way to drain a dishwasher is into the disposer. Second, a sink full of dirty dishes and a nice slimey rag! Sheesh!! Modern dishwashers get dishes clean AND sanitary, AND use far less water than hand washing in the sink.

The air gap will be debated, especially today when some machines have a built in hi-loop.

I remember reading here once about a special "seattle air gap" set up. Perhaps someone will have a diagram of that!

**DonL** · 01-17-2012, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Terry

A modern dishwasher will get the dishes much cleaner then hand cleaning. You're washing multiple times with the H-Temp water setting, using less water. I can't get them this clean by hand washing.
The Engergyguide is $23.00 for a year. That's 6.3 cents a day if you're using a natural gas water heater.

Buy Clear Glass Dishes, use them normally , then wash them in your automatic dishwasher.

Look at the results, Then get back with me.

I could be wrong, But new energy saving units are worse than the older ones.

You can not get something for nothing.

P.S. I have a Automatic Dishwasher. I tell my girl that the dishes need washed, And she washes them automatically.

That is as good as it gets.

**Cookie** · 01-17-2012, 12:05 PM

I would tell you to go wash them, lol.

Look at the buy on paper plates, 100 for 99cents. You save on water, gas, electricity, dish soap, man or ...woman power, and, you don't even need to purchase a dishwasher or a sink. Works for me.

You can get fancy. You can get Thanksgiving day ones, with nice pictures of turkeys, and Xmas, an array of things, from santas with his team of horses, to snowflakes.

Valentines day, St. Paddy's day, birthday's, anniversaries, their is absolutely no reason not to use paper plates.

And, they are biodegradable, and do not pollute the water systems. This is the best you will get, and they look great stacked and displayed in your china.

...and, you will never need a repairman or get chapped hands. And, when company is coming, clean-up is a cinch. Plastic folks and cups, are an added pleasure.

Life is always, a picnic and you can't get better than that!

**bluebinky** · 01-17-2012, 01:40 PM

For or against dishwasher argument aside, I've seen filtered water dispensers integrated with an air-gap, but to me it's debatable if they looked any better.

Has anyone seen a faucet with a built-in air gap? Done right, that would be a winner to me...