The air gap for our dishwasher has been overflowing since we bought the house. It was an annoying problem but not serious. I tried to fix this problem several times. I replaced the hose, I replaced the air gap NO JOY. The air gap discharges into the drain pipe. Question does the dishwasher have to discharge to the disposal? I live in Limerock, MD, does anyone know the local code?

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'll be 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.

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Originally Posted by ;

Question does the dishwasher have to discharge to the disposal?

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No! Th image I put up shows both ways to connect but why would you want to not discharge to the disposal? Back to you, Tom

Is this code in MD? Can I bypass and plumb the dishwasher directly to the drain line?

Trapperlee
Do you really think the plumbing inspector is going to come around knocking on doors and checking dishwashers. The high loop will solve your problem.