Welcome to my Homepage Blog. Here you'll find stories about inspections I have done and facts I think are interesting to share with you. Come back often to see what's new.
-Glenn Stewart, The House Whisperer
| It's Alive |
| Written by Glenn |
| Tuesday, 25 August 2009 20:36 |
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During a recent Walnut Creek home inspection, I checked the performance of the dishwasher and found that the dishwasher drain line was clogged, What is an air gap device? It's a small fixture installed between the dishwasher and the kitchen sink drain pipe typically on top of the sink deck or the kitchen countertop next to the sink; designed to prevent dishwasher wastewater from flowing backwards into the dishwasher (when the drain line is blocked) and possibly contaminating your dishes. When water sprays out of an air-gap device as shown in the photo, it's a red flag... That there's food blockage in the dishwasher drain line, the drain line is kinked, or the knockout plug in the garbage disposal wasn't removed during installation. All dishwashers built during approximately the last 20 years have a built-in water supply air gap to prevent cross-connection and possible backflow to the water supply. Dishwashers do not have a built-in air gap device on the drain line side; however, they may have a 'high-loop' in the drain line installed against the side wall of the dishwasher. California residential code calls for the water supply for dishwashers to be protected by an air gap or integral backflow preventer (high loop in drain hose). Individual building departments may adopt the code differently. Bottom line: If I don't see an air-gap device or a high-loop in the drain line... I call it out in the home inspection report with a recommendation to contact a licensed plumber. |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 October 2009 05:30 |
causing water to spray out the air-gap device. 