Hi,

When we turn the dishwasher on, the water starts coming out the vent that's on our sink. It runs all over the counter. This happened once before and a plumber said something was trapped in the line. I can't remember how to attempt to unclog the line. Help??

Ann

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Originally Posted by Ann Anderson

Hi,

When we turn the dishwasher on, the water starts coming out the vent that's on our sink. It runs all over the counter. This happened once before and a plumber said something was trapped in the line. I can't remember how to attempt to unclog the line. Help???

Ann

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That "vent's" called a counter top air gap and we don't install them in my area. Your air gaps clogged in the lower portion. Run a wire down to clear it.
Also, In the top of an air gap is an insert with two holes. Inside the air gap are two divisions. One division connects to the inflow side of the air gap (from the dishwasher) and the other connects to the outflow side (to the disposal). If the top insert is put in wrong, water will flow from it when the dishwasher empties. For correct operation of the air gap both holes in the insert need to be positioned over the outflow division of the air gap.
In case you ever want to do away with that pesky counter top air gap and install a high loop Air gap.(see image) I'llbe more then happy to help.
Note: In all the hundreds of high loop air gaps that my company's installed we have yet to get our first complaint or service call. This holds true in the high loops that we have advised installing on The Plumbing Page right here.
Good luck, Tom

Tom is right on the money: either your 7/ 8" discharge hose is clogged or the inlet into garbage disposer.

The 7/8" hose connects Air Gap and Garbage Disposr. Water flows down to G/D by gravity. Any small food particle lodged in that section of the house will cause overflow through air gap.

You may have to remove the hose and clean it if the wire option fails. Not a big deal to do.

Tom and Milo are both the experts and I agree with both of them, Tom's method works fine if it is allowed by the code in your area, the best way for you now is as Milo says to disconnect the hose between the Airgap and G/D clean and install, Good luck.