How long can a dishwasher drain hose be? What to do when your dishwasher is running long?

When it comes to dishwasher installations, an improperly installed drain hose is one of the most common occurrences.If you wondered if your dishwasher drain hose was too long, it was most likely installed wrong.

If your drain hose is currently positioned lower than the connection to the disposal, resting on the bottom of your cabinet, you need to either install an air gap or implement a high loop.One of the solutions will correct the issue of your drain hose being too long and the other will prevent your dishwasher from getting flooded.

If you think your dishwasher drain hose is longer than it should be, it's probably not.If you want to avoid buying a smaller drain hose, consider your other options first.Try one of the following methods if you think your drain hose is too long.

A dishwasher air gap is two inches above the kitchen sink.It is intended to prevent contaminated wastewater from entering into the dishwasher from the drain.An air gap is a simple solution to ensure that wastewater and potential contaminants don't re-enter your clean water supply.

When you run your dishwasher through a cycle, the last thing you want is for your dishes to get dirty from your garbage disposal.The dirty water will be separated from the hose that is running to the drain by the air gap.There is no risk of wastewater coming back into your appliance because the two pathways will never connect.

It will benefit from installing an air gap if you suspect that your dishwasher drain hose is too long.

Backflow is the backward flow of water that leads polluted water and contaminants back into the clean water supply.Air gaps in the dishwasher are a form of backflow prevention.It is known as a cross-connection when it comes to plumbing.

When there is a shift in pressure, cross-connections can result in backflow.If your kitchen sink drain becomes blocked, the hose that leads to the drain will begin to distribute the dirty water back into your appliances.Without a dishwasher air gap, your dishwasher will flood with wastewater.

When you install an air gap on your dishwasher, you physically separate the two branches of the hose to prevent cross-contamination between the dishwasher and the drain.One branch of the air gap fitting is attached to the dishwasher, while the other branch goes from dishwasher to garbage disposal.

The dishwasher drain hose curves upward as it comes out of the dishwasher.Water leaves the open end of the tube and goes through the air gap into the second branch at its highest point.The second branch carries the wastewater to the drainage location.The two branches are below the counter or sink.

Air gaps are the most effective way to prevent your drain from cross-contaminating your dishwasher.If you want to protect your dishwasher from flooding with polluted water, you need backflow prevention.Air gaps may be required by plumbing code in some areas.

The only way to guarantee protection against wastewater escaping into your appliances is by using an air gap.Most plumbing codes in the United States require commercial food and beverage prep sinks to have an air gap.States such as Minnesota, California, Hawaii, and Washington require dishwasher air gaps residentially.

If you want to make sure your home is up to code and correct any issues with your dishwasher drain hose being too long, consider installing an air gap.

Most homeowners can easily install a dishwasher air gap without the need for a certified plumbing professional.You can install an air gap on your dishwasher.

If you suspect that your dishwasher drain hose is too long, you can loop the drain line higher than the connection to the disposal.The high loop method involves running the drain line from the dishwasher to the highest point underneath the sink.The loop is fastened beneath the counter and goes down into the garbage disposal or sink drain.

The physics behind the high loop is that the drained water from the dishwasher is forced to travel up before it can escape out the drain.High loops should be above the floor of your kitchen.An air gap is needed if you don't have a clearance of at least 32” between the peak of the high loop and the ground.

At a drastic slope, the tubing is installed with a high loop.When the high loop is installed, the wastewater is not likely to backflow.The high loop method is effective at preventing backflow, but not as effective as an air gap.If you are concerned about the length of your dishwasher drain hose, it will do the trick.

If you think your dishwasher drain hose is too long, it is very likely that it wasn't installed correctly.High loops have proven to be successful at backflow prevention.It will remove the dishwasher drain hose from the floor so you don't have to worry about it being too long.If you don't have enough clearance under your counter, you can opt for the more reliable air gap solution.

Jessica is a home improvement and design enthusiast.She owes most of what she knows to her dad, who renovated her childhood home.Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next project and sharing her love for home design.