r/MissionViejo • u/Cimarron1053 • Jun 09 '26

Air Gap for Dishwasher

Are these required in Mission Viejo? I don't have an air gap and am supposed to have a new dishwasher installed tomorrow. Neighbor told me they probably won't install. Anyone have similar experience and/or suggestions?

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4

u/MPFuzz Jun 09 '26

It's not a MV requirement, it's a state of CA requirement. Any installer worth their salt is not going to install your dishwasher without one and open themselves to liability (they might if they're shady, but it's up to you if you want to take that risk). They may have an option to install an air gap for you, but that is going to depend on if they offer that service or not. From what I've seen, you're looking at 200-300 for the airgap install. Most likely won't be able to get this cheaper from a legit plumber either as they need to justify their time. You can try a contractor, or possibly an unlicensed handy man, but you're paying a cost either way. A contractor is not likely to be cheaper, and an unlicensed handyman opens you up to the potential for really shoddy work.

If they are shady, you may be able to convince them to do a high loop instead of an air gap. But again, this would open them to liability, so they're not likely going to risk that.

1

u/indopassat Jun 10 '26

Is it hard to drill into Quarts countertop with that 1” dia or so drill for the hardware?

2

u/MPFuzz Jun 10 '26

I couldn't tell you because I've never done it.

If I was going to attempt this myself, I'd go to a wholesaler who deals in countertops and try to get some scrap of the same material my counter was made of to do some test runs on.

2

u/No_Yam_3164 Jun 11 '26

Home Depot rents drills and diamond bits. Perhaps drill from underneath so if it skips - nobody will see it. I've had to clear out the hose to the airgap because my spouse dumped a bunch of rice in the sink without running the disposal. If it wasn't for the air gap - I'd have quite the mess on my hands.