Hi!

So I bought a new faucet for our kitchen sink and before looking at it I have come to find that the spot cut out for the sprayer is currently in use by what I'm guessing is a vent for the disposal and the dishwasher. Underneath there's a rubber tube coming off the disposal into a Y adapter and a ribbed flex pvc tube coming through the cabinet from the dishwasher into the other side of the Y. The top of this thing is mounted to the sprayer hole cut in the sink and has a cap that sits about 2" out of the sink top with some slots cut in it.

Now....Is this really a vent and what exactly can I do with it? Am I screwed and I need to cut a 2nd hole in the sink if I want the sprayer or can I just mount the vent under the sink and hide it?

The old lady liked this faucet and we agreed we wanted the sprayer. It can't go back because I've had it way too long. So I'd like to move forward assuming I need the sprayer if I can keep it.

Thanks!

 

What you have is an Air Gap. This is required in most States now. It is usually installed for the dishwasher. You can check with your local Plumbing Code office to see if it's code in your area. Otherwise, you are going to have to drill another hole because Air Gaps have to be above the countertop. Sorry. Good luck.

 

I spoke with the plumbing guy at HD (yeah I know) and he said all I need is to use a dishwasher interface (or something like that) which you take the dishwasher air hose and take it all the way to the top underneath the cabinet and anchor it, then bring it back down into the disposal with this interface tube and that would cover it. I guess it's just a matter of figuring if it's to code or not.

 

I find that the permit/code compliance offices are usually very helpful in situations like this. A phone call or visit is in order. I've lived in 5 states in the past 4 years and only in one of those (California - no surprise) have I been required to have the air-gap above countertop height.

 

Thanks Thez,

I have a call in to the codes office for my county but I think it was a bit early for them so I left a message after talking to the receptionist/operator. I'll try again later.

 

Talked to codes this morning after playing phone tag.

The air gap needs to be above the flood level of the top most unit. He explained it to me as where the water line comes in to the washer, there's usually a U shaped connector on the back which is part of the supply system. The air gap needs to be higher than that. (I've never seen the back of one so I can't comment on that).


...problem is I can't see my dishwasher at all since it's enclosed in the cabinet. Ultimately he said the difference between mounting it to the very underside of the countertop vs. it sticking out of the countertop is negligable and there is no requirement that it has to be above the counter. So I think I'll be okay. I'll take a peek at one at the store just to understand what he's talking about.

Thanks guys!

 

Sounds like you are good to go. Glad you called to check though.