A kitchen faucet air gap--sometimes called a dishwasher air gap--is used to prevent contaminated water from the garbage disposal from being sucked into the dishwasher. Installing an air gap can also prevent odors in the dishwasher. Usually mounted on top of the kitchen sink near the faucet handle, an air gap sometimes gets clogged, making it ineffective. You can remove it for cleaning or replacement.
Topside
The top of the air gap is visible on the rear edge of the kitchen sink. Grasp the protective cover on the air gap and pull it straight up and off of the housing. The retaining nut that secures the air gap cartridge should be visible after removing the cover. Loosen the nut with a pair of locking pliers or a pipe wrench, twisting counterclockwise. Finish removing the nut by hand. Pull the air gap cartridge straight up and out of the air gap housing.
Hose Removal
Open the cabinet doors under the kitchen sink where the air gap is mounted. Locate the inlet and outlet hoses attached to the underside of the air gap. Some air gaps may have a double inlet as opposed to the more common single inlet. Loosen the hose clamps with the Phillips screwdriver. Slide the clamps away from the ends of the hoses a few inches to make removal easier. Grasp and pull the hoses straight off of the air gap. Use a twisting motion if the hoses seem stubborn.
Bottom Mounting Nut
Locate the threaded nut on the air gap housing on the underside of the back side of the sink. Loosen the nut with a pipe wrench, turning counterclockwise. Spin the nut off by hand.
Removal
Lower the air gap housing from the underside of the sink and remove it from the cabinet.
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