Good softener air gap?

[SteveW]

I am looking for a decent pre-made air gap for a Kenmore softener. I have done a search but not finding much, and few if any reviews of the ones I have found online. Some of the reviews were negative, mostly saying that either the unit may not have a built-in way to attach the plastic drain hose, or for those that do, the barbed fitting on the air gap has a small enough diameter to slow the flow.

Any leads you can offer on a decent air gap setup for connecting a plastic drain hose into 1 1/2 in. PVC standpipe?

 

[Bannerman]

for those that do, the barbed fitting on the air gap has a small enough diameter to slow the flow.

Depending on the softener's drain flow rate, that may not be an actual issue but a simple solution would be to increase the drain line diameter and air gap fitting size. For instance, if the softener has a 1/2" diameter drain fitting, adapt up to a 3/4" drain tube directly after the softener and install an air gap with a 3/4" fitting.

https://www.plumbingsupply.com/airgap.html#softener

http://www.airgap.com/mr_drain.html

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

This is on Mr. Drain:

 

[Cacher_Chick]

I have never used a prefab air gap. A pair of pipe standoffs to secure the hose above the receptor works fine.
Where the adjacent wall is finished, I make a splash shield by cutting a stub of PVC pipe lengthwise and zip-tie it across the back of the air gap. The same thing can be accomplished by notching the top of the standpipe.

 

[SteveW]

Depending on the softener's drain flow rate, that may not be an actual issue but a simple solution would be to increase the drain line diameter and air gap fitting size. For instance, if the softener has a 1/2" diameter drain fitting, adapt up to a 3/4" drain tube directly after the softener and install an air gap with a 3/4" fitting.

https://www.plumbingsupply.com/airgap.html#softener

http://www.airgap.com/mr_drain.html

Thanks! Will give one of these a try. Probably go with the first one as it seems to be ready to go. The 2nd one needs a fitting to adapt to the hose and not really clear from their website how to order those.

 

[ditttohead]

We sell a ton of mr. drains and I have personally installed hundreds of them.

Don't be surprised if a little splashing occurs. I don't recommend installing them in areas that are easily damaged by a few drops of water. Outside or in a garage where a drop or two occasionally... these are great.

 

[SteveW]

Good to know -- mine is in an unfinished basement so a small amt of water would be OK.

 

[ditttohead]

We are literally talking a few drops per regeneration but if it is right above a nice wood floor... not good.

 

[SteveW]

I have never used a prefab air gap. A pair of pipe standoffs to secure the hose above the receptor works fine.
Where the adjacent wall is finished, I make a splash shield by cutting a stub of PVC pipe lengthwise and zip-tie it across the back of the air gap. The same thing can be accomplished by notching the top of the standpipe.

Your last sentence sounds like something I had considered -- just putting some longitudinal slits in the standpipe below the level of the end of the tubing that I would insert into the standpipe.

 

[Reach4]

Your last sentence sounds like something I had considered -- just putting some longitudinal slits in the standpipe below the level of the end of the tubing that I would insert into the standpipe.

Here is an idea: https://terrylove.com/forums/index....-for-softeners-and-backwashing-filters.64755/

 

[SteveW]

Very clever. I like it.