On Sun, 9 Jul 2017 20:31:52 -0500, Dean Hoffman
wrote:

On 7/9/17 7:41 PM, Stormin' Norman wrote:
On Sun, 9 Jul 2017 20:32:51 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:



I wouldn't, just a loop. Had dishwashers for 50 years and no problems
without it. Anyone know of a problem actually caused by a DW that back
siphoned into the water system? Yes, it can get into the DW, but the
purpose of the air gap is to protect the domestic water supply.

The air gap with a dishwasher prevents drain water from backing up
into the dishwasher and contaminating the dishes. Doesn't happen very
often, but if it does happen it can make people quite ill.

Not sure how a dishwasher air gap would protect the potable water
supply, but maybe.

I guess it's possible if the water supply pressure failed at the
same time.

Not likely with the design of those diaphragm valves, even if the
water supply was in the bottom of the dishwasher. The water pressure
is what opens the valve. No pressure and the valve slams shut. In real
life the sump of the dishwasher is air gapped from the supply line.