Yes, you can replace an air gap faucet with a non-air gap faucet. However, because air gaps are required by plumbing codes in many areas to prevent backflow into water filtration systems, you will need to bypass the faucet’s air gap by connecting your reverse osmosis (RO) drain line directly to your sink's drain pipe.
6 Dishwasher Air Gap Alternatives
An air gap faucet includes a physical opening in the drain line, preventing dirty sink water from siphoning back into your Reverse Osmosis (RO) system. A non-air gap faucet connects the RO system’s drain directly to your sink’s plumbing, offering a much quieter, leak-free, and streamlined setup.
You can by-pass the air-gap on any of the Premier Air-Gap Faucets. Before beginning the air-gap bypass, you will need to check the air pressure in your tank and ensure the ASOV is functioning properly.
An air gap prevents contamination and protects health.
If negative pressure occurs in the water system, contaminated water can be pulled back into the drinking water supply line, which is known as “backflow.” Proper design, like an air gap, can prevent backflow.
Yes, you can safely use a faucet without an aerator. However, doing so will cause the water to spray heavily and splash everywhere, and your water usage will increase because the flow restriction is removed.
Whether you need an air gap depends entirely on your local plumbing codes and how your drain hose is set up.
If your sink does not have an air gap for your dishwasher, you must create a "high loop" in the dishwasher drain hose. Without an air gap or a high loop, contaminated wastewater from a clogged sink can flow backward and siphon into your dishwasher.
Yes, you generally need a special dedicated faucet for a reverse osmosis (RO) system, separate from your main kitchen faucet. These faucets are designed to handle purified water, often featuring non-corrosive, lead-free materials, and they fit into a standard sink soap dispenser hole or a small pre-drilled hole.
A dishwasher air gap prevents this from happening by ensuring that the water flows in one direction: out of the dishwasher and into the garbage disposal. If you don't have an air gap, have one installed for enhanced hygiene and plumbing safety.
Expect to pay $75 to $150 per hour for a plumber to install your air gap, with full dishwasher installation ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. Check that you've removed the knockout plug from your garbage disposal before connecting the air gap, as this prevents proper drainage and backflow issues.
Plumbers consistently recommend Delta, Moen, and Kohler. These brands are top choices because they are highly reliable, built with durable materials (like solid brass and ceramic discs), and—most importantly—their replacement parts are universally available and backed by lifetime warranties.
In plumbing, the "135-degree rule" is a code standard that dictates how much a horizontal drain pipe can bend or change direction. It limits the total cumulative angle of pipe fittings before a system requires an access point (cleanout) or must be vented, ensuring proper flow and preventing chronic clogs.
If your drain hose is connected to house plumbing lower than 20 inches above subfloor or floor you will need to use an air gap. You can also prevent dirty water from entering your dishwasher by routing the drain hose to the underside of the counter, at the same height as a full sink of water.
> Federal efficiency standards transformed dishwashers into marathon cleaners. Modern machines take 2.5 to 4 hours per cycle—a far cry from the quick turnarounds families actually need.
An air gap prevents contamination and protects health.
Drinking water (or potable water) and wastewater should flow through different pipes to avoid contamination.
Whether you need an air gap for your Reverse Osmosis (RO) system depends entirely on your local plumbing codes. While many areas require an air gap to prevent contaminated wastewater from backing up into your clean drinking supply, many homeowners use standard non-air gap systems.
No, reverse osmosis (RO) water is not inherently bad for your kidneys. In fact, by stripping out toxins, heavy metals, and excess salts, RO systems reduce the workload on your kidneys.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) water offers excellent contaminant removal, but it has notable downsides. It strips away beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium, creates substantial wastewater, and results in slightly acidic, flat-tasting water. Additionally, RO systems require frequent maintenance and can be expensive to install.
No. A high loop involves routing the dishwasher drain hose higher under the sink to reduce the chance of backflow. While it can help in some situations, it does not provide the same level of protection as an air gap and may not meet plumbing code requirements in all areas.
If you live in a state where air gaps are mandated by law, even a new dishwasher will require one to be installed. A drain hose that is connected to house plumbing lower than 20 inches above the floor will need an air gap.
Yes, an air gap can "go bad," though it usually means it is clogged with food debris or grease, not that the metal/plastic device itself is broken. A clogged air gap will cause water to spew onto the countertop or cause the dishwasher to stop draining properly.
Yes, you can by-pass the air-gap on any of Watts Premiers air-gap faucet. Note: Before performing the air-gap by-pass you will need to ensure the ASOV is functioning properly. As well as checking to make sure the air pressure in your tank is between 5 to 7 psi.
Installing a dishwasher air gap typically costs between $100 and $250 in total. This breaks down to $10 to $50 for the air gap hardware itself, and $90 to $200 for professional labor to drill a hole in the sink or countertop and secure the connections.
Standard hole sizes for faucets, air gaps and accessories is 1-3/8".