A domestic dishwasher is an essential appliance that most people have. While many may know how to use it, not all are aware of the different parts of it. The appliance has several parts that make the process of dish cleaning efficient and smooth. If you understand the function of each part, it would become easier for you to understand the mechanism. Dishwasher Cleaner
A common confusion is there among dishwasher users about the dishwasher drain hose loop. Many people think it is an important part but actually, it is necessary. The high drain loop that is connected to the pipe of the kitchen sink is there for a purpose. The loop is necessary so that dirty water can’t go back into the dishwasher and makes the dishes dirty. The mechanism is tactfully added to make the process efficient.
To make your concept clear, I will be discussing various aspects of the dishwasher drain hose loop. This article would make you understand why the hose loop is necessary and how it functions. So, get ready to learn!
How Does A Dishwasher Drain Hose Loop Work?
After the dishwasher cleans the dishes, a lot of dirty water is stored. This dirty water passes to the kitchen sink. The drain hose carries the dirty water out of the dishwasher to the sink. Now, this drain hose is a bit elevated and this loop is there for a reason.
An air gap mechanism is used to let dirty water go out of the dishwasher, and prevent it from going back into the dishwasher. The air gap is created only when the drain hose loop is elevated. Let me make you understand the mechanism with the example of a sink drain and faucet.
Suppose, the sink drain is clogged and blocked with debris. Now, the faucet is on, and water is going down the sink. But as the pipe is clogged, the water can’t pass through. But it won’t even go up to the faucet. The reason why the dirty water doesn’t travel up to the faucet is the air gap. As the faucet is at a higher height than the drain, there remains an air gap. The air gap stops the dirty water from going up to the faucet.
The same happens with the dishwasher drain hose loop. The hose loop creates an air gap as it is elevated from the level of the drain. The air gap prevents the dirty water from going back into the dishwasher. The height of the hose loop is deliberately kept high to create the air gap and let the water go down. As the air gap in the drain hose is higher than the air gap in the drain hose opening, the dirty water flows down easily.
3 Steps To Connect Dishwasher Drain Hose Loop With Garbage Disposal:
There are two ways of connecting a drain hose loop. The first way is to connect it to the garbage disposal, and the second way is to connect it to the drain. Let me tell you the way to install the drain hose loop connecting it to the garbage disposal:
Step 1: Arrange The Drain Hose:
The dishwasher most likely has an in-built drain hose. If yes, you need to take it out from behind the dishwasher. Take out the drain hose as much as possible. As you would fix the drain hose at a high height, you would need an extra hose. If the in-built hose is not long enough, you have to buy another one.
So, the first task is to arrange the right length of the drain hose so that it can be fixed at a high height.
Step 2: Make The Drain Hose Loop:
Now take the drain hose, and take it high under the sink as much as possible. Try to elevate it the most to get the best result. The higher the drain hose, the better the function. The height would help to create the air gap so that the dirty water can’t go back to the dishwasher.
After you elevate the drain hose, secure it with a flexible pipe strapping, pipe clamp, or nail it to the countertop just below the sink.
Step 3: Connect And The Drain Hose Loop:
To create a transition, use a dishwasher connector to connect the hose to the garbage disposal. Otherwise, you have to connect the hose to the disposal using hose clamps. The tube directly goes to the garbage disposal.
If you use the connector, one end of it would be clipped with the smaller drain hose, and the other end would have a larger fitting of 7 or 8 inches that would be linked to the garbage disposal. And it is done!
2 Steps To Connect Dishwasher Drain Hose Loop With The Drain Directly:
The other way of disposing of dirty water is to connect the drain hose directly to the drain despite connecting it to the garbage disposal. The dirty water would directly go to the drain if you follow this process.
Here are the 2 simple steps to connect the dishwasher drain hose loop with the drain directly:
Step 1: Make A Loop With The Drain Hose:
The very first step is to take out the drain hose as much as possible to elevate it. Pull it out and fix it at the maximum height possible below the sink. After you select a position where you can secure the drain hose, use a pipe clamp, or strapping, or nails to fix the drain hose, and create the loop. This would prevent the dirty water from going back to the dishwasher.
Step 2: Link The Drain Hose To The Sink Drain:
Despite connecting the drain hose to the disposal, you would now directly let the water go to the drain. To do so, hold the end of the drain hose and fix it with the Y-section tailpiece of the drain. Use a hose clamp to fix it with the drain. If you don’t see the Y-section, you have to buy one that would match the drain hose of your dishwasher. And you are done with installing the drain hose loop!
Prices Of Different Dishwasher Drain Hose Accessories:
The drain hose requires a bunch of tools to connect it to the drain and fix it. Also, if you want to use an air gap, then that is there. All these accessories come at different prices. You must have an idea about these tools and accessories before you visit the shop so that no one can fool you.
Here is a list of materials that you may need to use a dishwasher drain hose:
| Accessories And Tools | Price Range |
| ⅝” Drain Hose (Per Foot) | $1.50- $3.00 |
| ⅞” Drain Hose (Per Foot) | $2.30- $3.50 |
| Air gap | $10- $30 |
| Adapter (To connect dishwasher and garbage disposal) | $6.00- $7.00 |
| Y-Branch Tailpiece | $3- $20 |
| Pipe Clamp | $0.50- $2.50 |
| Pipe Strap | $3.00- $15 |
These are the tools and accessories that you may need to install a drain hose to the drain or garbage disposal. You may need the air gap too which is a very cost-efficient device that facilitates dirty water disposal.
Related Questions:
What Is The Ideal Place To Connect Dishwasher Drain Hose Loop?
The dishwasher drain hose that comes out of the dishwasher needs to be connected either to the garbage disposal or directly to the drain. You can either create a loop or install an air gap to separate the pipe so that the dirty water doesn’t go back into the dishwasher. But which one is the ideal place to connect the dishwasher drain hose? To the garbage disposal or drain?
The ideal place to install a dishwasher drain hose is connecting it to the drainpipe. Connect it to the drainpipe with the help of a Y-branch tailpiece so that the dirty water directly passes through the pipe to the sink drain. There is no other interval or place in between the procedure. This is the direct way of disposal of dirty water.
The problem with installing the drain hose to the garbage disposal is that it can block the drainpipe if the food residues get stuck in the garbage disposal. The water has to pass through the garbage disposal and then reach the drain pipe. Now, if the garbage disposal gets blocked with dirt and food residues, it may not pump out water efficiently. In that case, the water would stay there, or go to the other side of the sink. This problem doesn’t come with direct disposal to the drainpipe.
This is the reason why the ideal place to install the dishwasher drain hose is the drain pipe.
Why Does Dishwasher Drain Hose Need A Loop?
Many may not understand why the loop is necessary for the drain hose. But actually, without the loop, the drain hose is of no work. It won’t work efficiently if there is no loop or an air gap. The air gap is an alternative to the loop, whichever is good for you.
The dishwasher hose loop is elevated, and the loop ensures the dirty water from the dishwasher flows down and doesn’t go back to the dishwasher. Due to the loop, an air gap is created which pushes the water down through the pipe. Similarly, the air gap device separates the hose into two parts so that it can create a pathway for water to travel down. This air gap prevents the water from going back to the dishwasher.
Therefore, the dishwasher drain hose loop is created so that the water can’t go back to the dishwasher and travels down the pipe.
How Can You Clean Dishwasher Drain Hose Loops Easily?
Cleaning the drain hose loop is important. As the dirty water passes through the drain hose, the food residues can clog it. Also, water and minerals can create a layer throughout the interior. In that case, it becomes difficult for the water to pass down smoothly. As the water fails to pass, the pipe gets clogged and the whole system gets disrupted.
The cleaning of the drain hose is not as difficult as you may think. It is very easy if you use the right ingredients. In the dishwasher-safe bowl, we put our baking soda, hot water, and vinegar. Mix it well and then let it sit there for 15 minutes. Now. pour hot water in the basket, and let the hot water cycle clean the entire drain hose. The solution would disinfect the pipe, dissolve the food residues, and clean out the dirt from the dishwasher drain hose loop.
To keep the dishwasher drain hose loop clean, you can use this method at least twice or thrice a year. This would keep the drain hose in good condition, and it would work the best when it is clean.
How Often Should You Replace a Dishwasher Drain Hose Loop?
The dishwasher drain hose is made of high-quality rubber or plastic. As they are not metallic, they become loose and degrade over time. They don’t last for an eternity. The installation is permanent, and you need to replace the drain hose from time to time.
If you see any leakage or breakage, you have to call a mechanic to either fix it or replace it. But, even if you don’t see any breakage or leakage, you should replace the drain hose at least once in 5 years. 5 years is the ideal duration of using a dishwasher drain hose. After that, they won’t give the same service, and it can be risky.
The efficiency and strength of the dishwasher drain hose reduce over time. Besides, the loop gives strain on the pipe and the regular activity of water disposal makes layers inside it as well as corrodes the interior slowly. The chances of leakage and breakage increase too. After 5 years, it won’t be able to pass the dirty water at the same speed as before.
To avoid any risks and unexpected or sudden leakage, you should replace the drain hose at least once in 5 years.
Air Gap, An Alternative To Dishwasher Drain Hose Loop:
Not all dishwashers have a drain hose loop. Some require an extra device called the dishwasher air gap. Dishwashers that don’t have elevated drain hoses can create a problem with the disposal of dirty water as the air gap is absent. To create the air gap, you need the device air gap.
The air gap is a tiny cylinder-like device that is placed near the sink, mostly on the countertop. The air gap creates a division between the drain hose that carries the dirty water and the drain hose that takes the dirty water to the disposal beneath the sink. This separation prevents the dirty water from going up to the drain hose towards the dishwasher.
The air gap is a very cost-efficient device. It prevents the backflow of dirty water by stopping a mechanism called cross-connection. The cross-connection is stopped as the air gap intervenes. This division prevents the dirty water from traveling back to the dishwasher.
Installation of the air gap is easy. You need to have a hole in the countertop to place the air gap. Now connect the drain hose coming out of the dishwasher to the air gap. Then connect the drain hose that goes to the disposal. After connecting, fix the air gap tightly into the countertop hole. Now, run the pipes in a water cycle to clean out the channel.
Therefore, if your dishwasher doesn’t feature a drain hose loop and the pipe goes down straight, you should consider installing an air gap.
Conclusion:
Now you have a complete idea of how and where to install the dishwasher drain hose loop, why it is important, and what accessories you may need to fix it. This would help you to work more carefully and efficiently with the drain hose, and your dishwasher would function better.
So, what are you waiting for? Start doing the needful so that the dishwasher drain hose loop works well!
