Dishwasher Drain Options (Can a Dishwasher Have Its Own Drain?)

Discover the various dishwasher drain options and make the right choice for your kitchen setup.

Confused about the drainage options for your dishwasher? Can a dishwasher have its own drain? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.

Yes, a dishwasher can have a dedicated drain, offering convenience and flexibility. And plumbing the dishwasher under the sink is also possible.

Dive into our article to explore the different dishwasher drain options and find the perfect solution.

Does Dishwasher Drain Only When On?

Dishwashers are essential kitchen appliances for regulating and keeping the kitchen well-maintained. The best is it promotes mental peace of mind among ladies. So, if you are about to install the dishwasher with your own drain, you probably wonder, “Is this drain only when on?” 

Thus, the answer is yes. The dishwasher will drain water only when the dishwasher is on. When you complete the wash or rinse, the dishwasher automatically drains the utensils and gives you the best fresh dishes.

However, the drainage system will run automatically if your dishwasher is fully automatic and functional. If the dishwasher is not soaking or draining dishes properly, it might be because of clogging in the drainage system, hose, or filter. 

How Often Does the Dishwasher Drain?

The number of times your dishwasher uses it will drain the utensils in various wash cycles. However, it also depends on the model you are using. Mostly, all Dishwashers drain the dishes and flush out the dirt and food particles over dishes through the garbage disposal.

Besides, the number of the drain will work on the number of water cycles you have selected. Regardless, if the dishwasher is equipped with sensors, it will sense the drain numbers that need to be done for dishes.

How To Connect the Dishwasher Directly to the Drain?

The following steps can be helpful if you want to connect the dishwasher directly to the drain.

Step 1- To avoid water drainage put a small towel under the drain hose. 

Step 2- Then put in drain hose clamp into the drain hose pipe and lock it.

Step 3- Remove the dishwasher drain hose and put the drain hose pipe into it.  

Step 4- Then squeeze the clamp, add it over both connectors and lock it.

The drain is connected directly to the dishwasher. Also, remove the towel when it’s done.

What Are the Dishwasher Drain Options?

There are three dishwasher drain options: 

• Draining option with Standpipe
• Draining option with a dual air gap
• Draining option with drain hose/trap/waste tee

Now, let us see how you can use drain options. 

Draining With Standpipe

Most dishwashers come with a preinstalled drain system. However, if you do not have such a model, you can do it with the help of Standpipe. Here’s how you can do it.

1. Connect the supplied hose with the drain’s opening. Then measure the height of the Standpipe or sink. It must be 30 inches above the floor.
2. Next, hook up the drain hose with the mouth of the Standpipe.
3. If you see Standpipe does not seal the hose to the pipe, you may require plumbing codes and the air gap between the drain hose and Standpipe to prevent water from coming out.

If you do not have a Standpipe, you can construct it using a PVC pipe. The following video will explain you further.

Draining With an Air Gap

It is simple and easy to do without any need for a plumber. Find the given steps:

1. Find the air gap hole in your countertop. If it is not there, use a drill and make it. 
2. Then connect the air gap with the dishwasher drain hose. Ensure you have used hose clamps to fix the tube tightly with each other. 
3. Next, connect the air gap with a drain hose or garbage disposal. While doing this, ensure no kinks and breakages are on the garbage disposal.
4. Then push the air gap up from the countertop’s hole, don’t add offensive force to it. You can take the help of the air gap threads. 
5. Stabilize the air gap correctly and cover the back. Ensure everything is fixed. 
6. Start the dishwasher to see how it is working. 

Draining With Trap/Waste tee

1. Attach the drain hose support to the back wall at the proper height.
2. If fixing space is limited, push the hose to the required height through the drain hose support.
3. Next, provide a drain hose joiner to fit a 34 waste tee.
4. Check that your drain hose is routed through the joiner. Also, if necessary, remove any excess drain hose material.

How Do You Install a Dishwasher Drain Without a Sink?

The experts also say there are no hard and fast rules in the placement of plumbing. Your task is to supply dirty water from a dishwasher, which you can do with a trap. You must check where you can drain and make this easier.

You will most like a convenient place in the basement since the trap can be easily installed, and you can use the machine effortlessly. Also, ensure you have put things in the right place so you won’t get into trouble.

The dishwasher can be installed without a sink, but it becomes challenging. Even though the dishwasher is far from the sink, you will see separate water supply lines, different local body codes, and separate drains to complete the task. This further demands that the basement run out of water and keep things more accessible.

Here are a few ways you can do it yourself. 

Method 1 – Island Vent

It is the most accepted way to vent the island sink, but the inspectors or local bodies should permit it. This fundamental principle includes a vent cone from below tied to a drain pipe from the top. This allows the wastewater to drain normally while fresh air is brought in to protect the trap. To install the vent, add a downward grade of ¼ per foot. 

The vent should be removed from the wall or run into the stack. Install the fittings inaccessible places that do not counter any issues. 

Method 2 – Use Floor

This provision was approved in 2005 by the Canadian plumbing code. With this, users can set their fixture or drain directly through the floor, and the trap will be connected to the vent.

Method 3 – Air Admittance Valve Method

It is yet another of the best and easy methods of venting island sinks to install the “air admittance valve.” It might not be acceptable in your state.

Before doing this, consult your local authority to get permission. It requires An AAV to protect the house from sewerage gases. However, the above two methods are easy to work on.

How to Install a Dishwasher Drain Without a Garbage Disposal?

If you have a new Dishwasher, it might not require garbage disposal to install, as it is bypassed with particular piping attachments. Here’s how you can do this.

1. If you do not have a garbage disposal, add the sink strainer and the dishwasher tailpiece. 
2. This tailpiece collects the disposal when the dishwasher is in use.
3. Secure the tailpiece nipple with a hose clamp.
4. Connect the water line to the angle valve. Till then, you do not wrap threads with Teflon tape.
5. Set the dishwasher into the cabin and screw-down things perfectly to avoid fluff.

Can a Dishwasher be Plumbed Anywhere?

Yes, you can install the dishwasher wherever you need it.

All you have to meet with is the drain and water in the closet not likely you will run the Dishwasher 17 feet away from the water.

The Bottom Line

So, to conclude the statement, we can say that dishwashers can have their own drain, but you will need to ensure things are in excellent notion. Thus, you will not see any issues while working with the dishwasher. We hope this article helped and added knowledge to you.

James Miller

James is an organic fertilizer professional who owns a successful organic fertilizer company in new jersey. He is an expert in waste management in both houses and community cases. In his free time, he loves to write about his experiences in the field.