Good points on the leveling—I learned that lesson the hard way myself. Had a job once where the homeowner's floor was slightly uneven, barely noticeable at first glance. Dishwasher seemed fine when I installed it, but a week later they called me back because the racks kept sliding forward every time they opened the door... annoying for sure.
About the high loop vs. air gap thing, I generally prefer to stick with an air gap if possible, just as extra insurance against backflow. But you're right, most setups I've seen without one rarely have issues if they're done properly. Have you ever had trouble with inspectors or warranty claims when skipping the air gap? Curious because I've heard mixed things depending on the area and manufacturer guidelines.
Yeah, leveling can definitely sneak up on you—I always carry a few extra shims now just in case. On the air gap thing, inspectors around here are pretty strict, so I usually don't risk skipping it. Had a buddy who skipped one once and ended up having to redo the whole hookup after inspection—total waste of time. Warranty-wise, haven't personally seen issues, but manufacturers can get picky if something goes wrong and they notice it's missing... better safe than sorry, IMO.
"Had a buddy who skipped one once and ended up having to redo the whole hookup after inspection—total waste of time."
Haha, been there! Thought I'd save myself some hassle by skipping the air gap once... inspector was not amused. Now I just embrace the extra step—keeps my conscience (and kitchen) clean.
"Now I just embrace the extra step—keeps my conscience (and kitchen) clean."
Yeah, that air gap might feel like a hassle at first, but honestly it's worth the peace of mind. I once had a minor backup due to skipping it, and trust me, cleaning up dishwasher water is NOT fun. Curious though, has anyone tried those high-loop setups instead? Seems like inspectors vary on whether they're acceptable or not...
I've seen plenty of high-loop setups pass inspection, but honestly, they're not my first choice. Had a client once who insisted on skipping the air gap for aesthetics—ended up with a nasty clog that backed into the dishwasher. Took hours to sort out and sanitize everything. Air gaps might look clunky, but they're straightforward and reliable. High loops can work fine...until they don't. I'd stick with what consistently works, even if it's a bit ugly.