Repair a Dishwasher Air Gap Leak

An air gap in a dishwasher is a component that helps to prevent backwash situations. Sometimes if you do not have an air gap installed in the dishwasher, you will have contaminants from the sewer or the drain system seep back into the dishwasher and contaminate the nice clean dishware and glassware. If your dishwasher does indeed have an air gap then you are ahead of the game. Like any other mechanical component, the air gap can become damaged or broken. When this happens you will need to repair it. Below is a how to guide on repairing a dishwasher air gap leak.

Step 1 - Diagnose the Leak

Before you can fix anything, you need to diagnose where the leak is coming from. Trace the piping from the garbage disposal towards the air gap.

Step 2 - Check the Garbage Disposal

Check the plug that is attached to the garbage disposal. If the knock-out plug has not been removed, then this is your problem and you need to pull up on the knock out plug. To do this, unscrew the hose clamp. The hose clamp is responsible for holding the rubber hose and the garbage disposal together. Using a screwdriver and a hammer, tap the knock out plug out of place.

Step 3 - Check the Rubber Hose

This is the most common problem that creates an air gap leak. Remove the hose as you did in step two. Shine a flashlight up into the hose and push a long rod or the end of your screwdriver into the rubber hose. Pull out any debris that may be left in the hose and put it into the trash.

Step 4 - Run the Dishwasher

Put the end of the hose into a big bucket. Run the dishwasher until it begins to fill with a little water. Fast forward the dishwasher cycle to the drain cycle and allow the water to empty into the hose and into the bucket. While the water is running out of the hose, check for leaks. If you spot a leak, then mark the hose leak with a permanent marker. 

Step 5 - Check for Additional Leaks

Run a dry paper towel over the hose of the dishwasher. If the paper towel becomes moist, then you know you have additional leaks in the line. Mark all the leaks with a permanent marker.

Step 6 - Fix the Leaks

Using some epoxy putty, smooth it around the areas of the leak. Make sure to cover the leak at least an inch in diameter over the actual leaking area. This will ensure you have tackled the entire section of the leak. Allow the epoxy putty to dry for at least 24 hours before you re-attach the hose and use it in your dishwasher.

Step 7 - Reattach the Hose

Re-attach the hose to the dishwasher. Make sure you install it the same way you pulled it off. Also make sure that you do not create any bends or kinks during your installation procedure. Do not try and install the hose differently then how it was originally installed because an air gap works with gravity and you could disturb its effectiveness by not installing it properly.