# Air gap or high loop **URL:** \ **Category:** Plumbing Inspections\ **Created:** [November 15, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973 "2009-11-15T17:45:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bhartley](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bhartley/32/1448_2.png) [@bhartley](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bhartley)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/1 "2009-11-15T17:45:30Z")
How many of you report on the lack of an AIR GAP or high loop on a dishwasher? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![jjonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jjonas/32/301755_2.png) [@jjonas](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjonas)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/2 "2009-11-15T17:47:29Z")
Always. Which is almost always around here. ---
**Author:** ![rnewland](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rnewland/32/59431_2.png) [@rnewland](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rnewland)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/3 "2009-11-15T17:53:56Z")
> [@bhartley](#): > > How many of you report on the lack of an AIR GAP or high loop on a dishwasher? > > Thanks! Yes, and include a line drawing of how it should look. ---
**Author:** ![bhartley](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bhartley/32/1448_2.png) [@bhartley](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bhartley)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/4 "2009-11-15T18:44:41Z")
I have never seen an AIR GAP installed at the sink, in the Kansas City, high loops, yes. ---
**Author:** ![mcyr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcyr/32/173319_2.png) [@mcyr](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcyr)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/5 "2009-11-15T19:32:56Z")
Neither have I Buck, I just check for the high loop. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![bhartley](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bhartley/32/1448_2.png) [@bhartley](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bhartley)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/6 "2009-11-15T19:44:37Z")
Does most of the NEW dishwashers have a built in high loop? ---
**Author:** ![rnewland](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rnewland/32/59431_2.png) [@rnewland](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rnewland)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/7 "2009-11-15T19:52:55Z")
> [@mcyr](#): > > Neither have I Buck, I just check for the high loop. šŸ™‚ Same here. ---
**Author:** ![ccurrins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ccurrins/32/225758_2.png) [@ccurrins](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ccurrins)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/8 "2009-11-15T21:02:00Z")
Iā€™ve been calling these out on a regular basis for obvious reasons plus IL. plumbing code requires it. No I do not quote code. Today I was reading an installation manual for a Whirlpool DW from a home I inspected yesterday and it states this; [FONT=Arial][size=6]Drain[/size][/FONT] [size=6][FONT=Arial]requirements[/FONT][/size] [FONT=Arial][size=2]The drain hose must connect to the[/size][/FONT] [size=2][FONT=Arial]house plumblng at a mlnlmum of[/FONT][/size] [size=2][FONT=Arial]20 Inches (50.8 cm) above the floor. Thls will prevent backflow or water slphonlng out of dlshwasher durlng operatlon. If the draln hose Is routed to a connectlon point less than 20 Inches (50.8 cm) above the floor, the draln hose must form a loop 20 Inches (50.8 cm) above the rloor. An alr gap must be used In the hlgh draln loop. If installed correctly above a trap most are installed above 20 inches therefore according to this would not require a high loop. What you think? [/FONT][/size] ---
**Author:** ![jallingham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/53a042/32.png) [@jallingham](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jallingham)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/9 "2009-11-18T01:04:13Z")
I donā€™t because I donā€™t know how to tell whether the dishwasher has a built in high loop. ---
**Author:** ![jpope](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jpope/32/59425_2.png) [@jpope](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jpope)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/10 "2009-11-18T01:42:41Z")
Even if it has a high-loop, I will call out a missing air-gap fitting. ---
**Author:** ![mcyr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcyr/32/173319_2.png) [@mcyr](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcyr)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/11 "2009-11-18T01:48:40Z")
Jeff, any particular reason for that call? I have never seen one yet in any home and it is called for in the plumbing code. Dosenā€™t seem to excite the AhJā€™s very much.šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![rnewland](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rnewland/32/59431_2.png) [@rnewland](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rnewland)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/12 "2009-11-18T02:05:47Z")
Not sure about code but most manufactureā€™s installation instructions call for a high loop **or** air-gap fitting. ---
**Author:** ![jpope](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jpope/32/59425_2.png) [@jpope](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jpope)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/13 "2009-11-18T02:31:44Z")
> [@mcyr](#): > > Jeff, any particular reason for that call? I have never seen one yet in any home and it is called for in the plumbing code. Dosenā€™t seem to excite the AhJā€™s very much.šŸ™‚ Manufacturers instructions take precedence over code except when there is a ā€œprohibitionā€ in the code. CA is very specific. If itā€™s connected to a disposer, it must have an air-gap. CPC 807.4 No domestic dishwashing machine shall be directly connected to a drainage system or food waste disposer without the use of an approved dishwasher airgap fitting on the discharge side of the dishwashing machine. Listed airgaps shall be installed with the flood level (FL) marking at or above the flood level of the sink or drainboard, whichever is higher. ---
**Author:** ![mcyr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mcyr/32/173319_2.png) [@mcyr](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mcyr)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 2:43am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/14 "2009-11-18T02:43:34Z")
Thanks, now I got to dig up my own instructions for my dishwasher out of curiosity. :)šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![ccurrins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ccurrins/32/225758_2.png) [@ccurrins](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ccurrins)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/15 "2009-11-18T03:00:56Z")
> [@rnewland](#): > > Not sure about code but most manufactureā€™s installation instructions call for a high loop **or** air-gap fitting. The way Iā€™m reading the manufactures instruction in my previous post is if the drain line is connected a min. 20" at the house plumbing that is sufficient in preventing backflow or water siphoning. If there is a drain high loop, then there must be an air gap. ---
**Author:** ![belliott](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/belliott/32/57038_2.png) [@belliott](https://forum.nachi.org/u/belliott)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/16 "2009-11-18T03:09:06Z")
Here is the language I am presently using . ā€¢ The dishwasher needs to have the hose mounted above the basin in order to help prevent water from backing up into the container ā€¢ . Air gaps are now standard equipment to assure a separation between supply and waste water. It is advised that either an air gap or a high loop be installed between the dishwasher and the waste connection. Many of my comments are hybrids of everything I have learned right here over the past several years. (my how time flyā€™s) ---
**Author:** ![sparksnmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@sparksnmore](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sparksnmore)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 5:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/17 "2009-11-18T05:00:28Z")
I can only remember seeing maybe three or four air gaps in both Johnson County KS and KCMO in the last 40 years Buck. Fixed a lot of dish washer drains that didnā€™t have a high loop either. ---
**Author:** ![belliott](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/belliott/32/57038_2.png) [@belliott](https://forum.nachi.org/u/belliott)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 5:10am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/18 "2009-11-18T05:10:48Z")
> [@sparksnmore](#): > > I can only remember seeing maybe three or four air gaps in both Johnson County KS and KCMO in the last 40 years Buck. > Fixed a lot of dish washer drains that didnā€™t have a high loop either. Glad you fixed them šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![ppendley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@ppendley](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ppendley)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 6:24am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/19 "2009-11-18T06:24:33Z")
> [@jpope](#): > > Manufacturers instructions take precedence over code except when there is a ā€œprohibitionā€ in the code. > > CA is very specific. If itā€™s connected to a disposer, it must have an air-gap. > > CPC 807.4 No domestic dishwashing machine shall be directly connected to a drainage system or food waste disposer without the use of an approved dishwasher airgap fitting on the discharge side of the dishwashing machine. Listed airgaps shall be installed with the flood level (FL) marking at or above the flood level of the sink or drainboard, whichever is higher. Dittoā€¦CA ---
**Author:** ![rkie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rkie/32/58192_2.png) [@rkie](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rkie)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973/20 "2009-11-18T13:50:07Z")
I call out the need for a High Loop also. And yes most newer style ones have built in High loops if they didnā€™t rework the hose. I still call them out. [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/air-gap-or-high-loop/43973.md?page=2)