6 Dishwasher Air Gap Alternatives

So your dishwasher air gap is driving you nuts. Maybe it’s ugly. Maybe it’s broken. Or maybe you just don’t have space for one on your countertop. 

We get it, that little chrome dome isn’t winning any beauty contests.

Now the good news is that you’ve got options. Lots of them, actually. And some are way better than others.

In this post, we’ll show you some dishwasher air gap alternatives that’ll keep your kitchen safe from nasty backflow while maybe even improving how things look and work.

#1 High Loop Drain Hose

A high loop drain hose is the best dishwasher air gap alternative.

This is probably what most people end up doing, and it’s really not complicated. 

You basically take your dishwasher’s drain hose and loop it up high under your sink cabinet – right up against the bottom of your countertop works great.

The whole point is that this loop makes it tough for gross water to flow backward into your dishwasher. When you get that hose up high, gravity does most of the work keeping everything flowing the right way. 

Also Read: How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost? 

It’s nice because you don’t need to buy anything extra or mess with your countertop at all.

Getting a high loop set up is something most people can handle themselves. You just need to make sure the hose gets up there high enough and stays put. 

Lots of other plumbers actually suggest this method because it works well and you can’t even see it once it’s done.

#2 Check Valve

A check valve is basically a little device that goes in your dishwasher’s drain line and stops water from flowing backward. 

They pop open when your dishwasher needs to drain, then snap shut to keep water from coming back when the dishwasher’s not running.

These things are pretty neat because you can’t see them at all once they’re installed, and they don’t eat up any counter space. They make them in different sizes too!

Putting one in usually means cutting the drain hose and sticking the valve in there, which might need some basic plumbing know-how.

What’s cool about check valves is that they physically block water from going where it shouldn’t. 

Plus, they work pretty reliably too and don’t need much attention once you get them in there.

One thing to remember: check valves can wear out over time. If yours fails, you’ll need to replace it. But that’s a quick and inexpensive job, so it’s not a huge deal.

Also Read: Plumbers Putty Alternatives

#3 Standpipe

A standpipe is more common in laundry rooms, but it can be adapted for dishwashers too. 

Picture a short, vertical pipe sticking up from the drain line under your sink. Your dishwasher hose connects to the top of this pipe. The standpipe then sends the water into your home’s drain system.

The height of the standpipe creates a natural break between the dishwasher and the main drain. 

Even if your sink backs up, the water won’t easily make its way into the dishwasher because it would have to climb that vertical pipe first.

The downside? It’s a bit bulkier than other hidden options, so you’ll need enough space under the sink. And it’s best installed by someone who knows plumbing codes, because standpipes need to be vented properly to work right.

#4 Sanitary Tee Connector

Sanitary tee connectors are another good alternative to dishwasher air gaps.

A sanitary tee is a special plumbing fitting that connects the dishwasher drain hose directly into the sink’s drain line at a sharp angle. The shape of the fitting and the direction of the flow make it harder for wastewater to travel backward.

This works well because it becomes part of your existing plumbing.

It’s compact, tidy, and completely hidden under the sink. 

Plus, it’s a solid choice if you’re already redoing your plumbing and want something that works efficiently without extra countertop clutter.

Installing one of these usually means you’ll need to do some plumbing work under your sink. 

You have to cut into your drain line and put the fitting in, which might be something for a professional plumber depending on how comfortable you are with plumbing stuff.

#5 Hybrid Air Gap Soap Dispenser

If you want air gap protection but don’t want another hole in your counter, one of these combo air gap soap dispensers might be the perfect dishwasher air gap substitute for you. 

These smart devices put together a soap dispenser with air gap stuff, so you get backflow protection and a handy spot for your dish soap.

Also Read: How Much Does Leak Detection Cost?

The unit looks just like a regular soap dispenser on your counter, but inside it has everything needed to create an air gap for your dishwasher drain. Your dishwasher’s drain hose hooks up to the unit under your sink, and the air gap mechanism is built right into the dispenser.

This is great if you were already planning to put in a soap dispenser or want to replace one.

Plus it keeps your counter looking clean while giving you the protection you need!

Installation is usually pretty easy if you already have a soap dispenser hole, or you can get one drilled if you need it. 

#6 Air Break

An air break works on a similar principle to an air gap, but it’s installed in a different way.

Instead of being mounted on the countertop, the air break is usually hidden under the sink. It creates a physical gap of air in the drain line, which stops dirty water from siphoning back into the dishwasher.

The main advantage here is looks – no visible hardware sticking out of your counter. 

You can build this setup in various ways. Some people use a small funnel mounted under their sink. Others create a small catch basin. 

This method works great and costs almost nothing to implement. 

The downside is that it takes up space under your sink, and it’s not always code-compliant in every area. So you’ll want to check local regulations before going this route.

Bottom Line

Most of these air gap alternatives work just as well as traditional ones.

But your best choice depends on your specific situation. 

Got tight space and want simple? Go with the high loop method. Want something bulletproof that you’ll never think about again? Consider the standpipe or sanitary tee connector. Care about how things look? The hybrid soap dispenser might be worth the extra cost.

Check your local plumbing codes before making any changes. Some areas are picky about these things. 

And remember – the whole point is preventing contaminated water from getting back into your dishwasher. Any method you choose needs to accomplish that basic goal.