Leak by sink when dishwasher runs contained by backflow preventer...? Just purchased a home (it is 7 years old) and in the...
Just purchased a home (it is 7 years old) and in the inspection the home inspector found that that sea discharged from the backflow preventer mounted in the sink. He suggested it be defective and to replace it or put a "rebuild apparatus in it for proper operation". Anyone know what this is or where on earth to get one or how much they are??? We are not handy individuals but could figure something out beside a little guidance. Also, why would this want to be replaced? What can we do to prevent this in the adjectives? Oh, and if their is a way to fix it near out spending any money that would be great too! Any suggestions or thoughts are much appreciated! Thanks!
Answers: As far as I know, there is not a backflow preventer on a dishwasher. Dishwashers are usually hooked directly into the sink drain (or garbage disposal, if installed) If you help yourself to a picture of the thing contained by question and email it to me, I'll be glad to homily to you about it via IM or email. I could be the clamp that holds the hose from the dishwasher onto the tube for the drain is loose and it is leak.
What you are calling a backflow preventer is correctly called an Air-Gap. This is installed to prevent marine in a clogged sink from getting into the dishwasher. What have happened is the hose running from the air-gap to the drain is plugged. Usually from gunk contained by the garbage disposal. If you are guarded you can remove the outer cap and unscrew the inner bonnet, then sensibly insert a wire coat-hanger into the outer periphery and push it down into the disposal, then push and verbs it back and forth a few time to dislodge the gunk and verbs it out trough the disposal. Replace the parts and get the dishwasher to drain and see if any more sea comes out of the air-gap. If you still get some hose down coming out, remove the outer cover and try holding a rag over the top while the dishwasher drains. This pressure should remove the rest of the gunk within the hose. Otherwise you could remove the hose to the drain and replace it. Also check to see it the dishwasher knock-out on disposal hose connector has be removed. Doesn't always procure removed when a disposal is installed or replaced.