Does a Dishwasher Need an Air Gap?

Air gaps are the most effective means of preventing your drain from cross-contaminating your dishwasher with waste. If you want to protect your dishwasher from flooding with contaminated water, you need an air gap. Dishwasher air gaps are also required by plumbing codes in many locations.

Can I remove the dishwasher air gap?

An air gap in a dishwasher helps prevent dirty dish water from being siphoned back into the municipal water supply. ... If your municipality has changed some of its water codes, you may be able to remove the air gap on a dishwasher as it is no longer needed.

Do dishwashers have a built in air gap?

In some areas, a high loop is the minimum requirement, but in many other jurisdictions, an air gap must be installed with all new dishwashers.