How to Install Air Gap Cover

Fig.1 Cover

By Gary Boutin 

Supplies and Tools:
Air gap cover

One of the easiest jobs working for my customer was to replace an air gap cover. The air gap cover is a decorative cover that hides the air gap exhaust pipe above the sink. The air gap usually is located on the right side of the sink. If the air gap get clogged, than the discharge from the dishwasher goes into the sink. This customer had a new dishwasher installed and wanted the air gap cover replaced, but the plumber that installed the dishwasher never replaced the air gap and as the plumber was leaving he stated to my customer, "Just get a new cover."

What is An Air Gap? This post shows the three steps on how to replace an air gap cover.

Fortunately for my customer the steps to remove the air gap cover are simple.
Step 1: Fig.1 shows the old air gap cover that needs to be pulled off.
Step 2: Next go to your local hardware store and purchase a new air gap cover. 
Step 3: Once home, unwrap the cover and push it over the plastic white air gap. That's all there is to it. Some dishwashers have no air gap, and you can tell because they smell of sewage. The air gap allows air into the dishwasher and functions to relieve the dishwasher of its excess water. Air gaps can take thirty minutes to install, it all depends if the existing discharge hose from the dishwasher, the rubber hoses to the garbage disposal and clamps are in good shape. The purpose of an air gap is to prevent back flow of dishwasher water into the drinking water and the air gap provides a stop gap measure for dumping the excess wash water into the sink.

Air gap covers come in chrome, satin and white. If you like bold colors, air gap covers can be painted in any color. It really doesn't matter what color the air gap cover is, what matters is that the air gap works.

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