Remove the belly from the drain line that comes from the air gap to the disposer. That line needs to drain by gravity, and it will back up and spill out the air gap with that much standing water in it. Also make sure that the hoses are on the correct ports of the air gap.

Replace the air gap with a soap dispenser, high loop the dishwasher drain, and forget about it.

Who told you the dishwasher warranty is nullified without an airgap? Did you go and actually read the warranty? Is it code in your area? In all the houses I lived in there was never an airgap. Always high loop. I currently have a Bosch with high loop. Previous house had the same.

Yes, its code in California. Costco dishwasher installers told us about the warranty.

It always amazes me how the laws of physics vary from state to state. Who knew?

A leaking air gap almost always means water cannot get away fast enough on the drain side, so it backs up and sprays out of the air gap vents. Since this started right after a remodel, check these things in order.

First, confirm the knockout plug was removed from the garbage disposal inlet. This is the most common cause after a new install. If the plug is still in place, dishwasher discharge has nowhere to go and it all comes out of the air gap.

Second, check the 7/8 inch drain hose from the air gap to the disposal. It should run downhill the whole way with no kinks, pinches, or low bellies that trap water.

Third, disconnect the hoses and make sure there is no debris or manufacturing flash blocking the small ports inside the air gap body itself.

If everything looks right and it still sprays, the hose run may simply be too long or have too many sharp bends, which slows drainage enough to overflow the gap during the pump-out cycle.

John Anthony, ProLine Leak Fix Pros, Lynnwood WA