Dishwasher - high loop drains

One of the most noted issues I find when inspecting the kitchen plumbing of a home is with the dishwasher.  While there are several things that I inspect here one of them I note most often is "lack of a high loop on the dishwasher drain hose."​
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The purpose of the "high loop" or a separate "anti-siphon device" on a dishwasher is to prevent the drain waste water from the kitchen sink from entering the bottom of the dishwasher when draining the sink basins. The anti-siphon device is a safer way of acc
​omplishing this as it incorporates an air gap making it almost impossible for bacteria to reach the clean dishes, whereas a high loop would only be a problem if both sinks were full and drained at the same time, or the drain from the kitchen sink were plugged partially and the waste water can travel back into the bottom of the dishwasher basin. Once the dishwasher starts its cycle, that waste water combines with the fresh water and is splashed onto your dishes, hopefully getting pumped out and cleaned on the next cycle.

Typically, when the dishwasher is in its drain cycle, you will hear a gurgling noise coming from the kitchen sink drain or the disposal side if that is where it is connected. If any water or waste is backing up the line, there is some issue with the drain itself.

Installing a high loop is quite simple whereas a anti-siphon device will entail drilling into your counter top and installing the appropriate device.

​While we are on the topic of dishwashers don't forget the following things:
1.  Wipe down the door seals and remove any residue that may keep the seal from performing properly.
2.  Clean out the food strainer in the middle of the washer compartment under the washer arm.

High Loop 

Air Admittance Valve

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Call your local inspectors office to find out which type of protection they require in your city/town.  Some jurisdictions require a countertop type anti-siphon device.  

For your professional home inspection in Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Waverly, Grundy Center, Reinbeck, Iowa and surrounding areas call Jon Bronemann Home Inspections, LLC at 319-239-5880.