Dishwasher Drain Air Gap/High Loop Missing

There is no air gap installed or high loop configuration for the dishwasher waste water drain. Note: Some modern dishwashers have an air gap installed internally in the unit, and therefore one is not needed under the sink.

Dishwasher drain hose running straight to the sink drain with no high loop, marked with a red arrow — From a HomeCloud evaluation.

Less commonPlan for itDishwasher

Why it matters

A dishwasher air gap/high loop configuration prevents drain water from going back into the dishwasher and contaminating clean dishes with dirty drain water. A high loop’s highest point needs to be at least 32 inches above the floor.

How common is it?

Didn't come up in the homes HomeCloud evaluated Sep 2025 to Oct 2026, but it's on our list of appliance findings.

Counted by the finding's name on HomeCloud reports, so the true number can be a little higher.

How soon to fix it

HomeCloud reports list this as something to plan for rather than an emergency.

More appliance resources

Repair or replace an appliance?How to decide by the appliance's age, the repair cost compared with a new one and whether parts are available, plus the brands you'll see most.Appliance maintenance checklistSimple upkeep for each appliance and how often to do it: refrigerator filters and coils, dishwasher and disposal care, range hood filters, washer hoses and dryer vents.How to check your appliances for recallsWhere to find the model and serial number, how to search the CPSC recall list and the maker's website, and what to do if an appliance is recalled.

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