Placement of Air Switch, Air Gap, spray and soap dispenser

12 years ago

Yeah, that's a lot of extra things. My sink's a big 'un, 38" wide, hopefully it can handle it. The faucet goes in the middle, and 4 other things on scattered around it.

So...which two on the left side and which two on the right? The dishwasher is on the left, and the stove is off to the right.

-Part of me wants the air gap and air switch together, so the air switch get soap or water dripped all over it.

-Function says the left side of the sink will be washing dishes & the right will be more prep: so the soap and air gap on the left and spray and air switch on the right.

-Aesthetics seem to dictate the taller things (spray and soap) going furthest out in the corners, with the air gap and switch closer to the faucet. The corners aren't big enough to stuff everything in there.

Sink is barely fitting into the cabinet width-wise, so there's not much room on the sides. However, there's a lot of room in the back (4.5") so maybe stuff gets spread around the back.

What do you think? Any ideas/preferences/experiences are much appreciated, since this isn't the kind of conversation I can have with my husband or friends:)

Here is my sink:

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Comments (4)

breezygirl
12 years ago
Two very quick thoughts before bed.

1. If you're a righty, put the sprayer on the right. My old, hated, side spray was on the right. (can't wait for my pull-down). As a righty, it made sense to not have to reach over the faucet to get the sprayer.

2. Are you positive that you must have an air gap by code? Many places allow you to do a high-loop instead of air gap. I was told by a few people early in our reno process that code required an air gap, but it turns out that a high-loop will suffice. Even if code requires it, there is a way around it--do a high loop, put in the air gap, don't put in the soap dispenser, have your inspection, take out the air gap, and replace with the soap dispenser. One less hole! Many have done this.
friedajune
12 years ago
Ditto to Breezygirl's point #2. I am linking a thread on why you don't need an air gap, and/or if your Code requires one, what to do about that (i.e. substitute the soap dispenser after the inspector leaves).

Also, are you sure you want a side spray? A faucet with a built-in spray is better IMHO. With a side spray, you have to hold down the handle to keep it on spray, you will get less water pressure than you would with a faucet and built-in spray, and side sprays tend to break faster than faucets with built in spray. Also, it would be nice to have one less hole in your countertop, and one less hole to clean around.

So, if you take my advice, you are left with 3 holes: the faucet (if it's a single-hole faucet), the air switch and the soap dispenser. I would put the soap dispenser on the left and the air switch on the right. Don't put the soap dispenser too far in the corner - there are people on this forum who have done that, and don't like it. I have my soap dispenser 8.5" (measuring on-center) from my single-hole faucet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread about Air Gaps
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“I cannot picture what one looks like with a handle in front.“ Here is a link to a thread on this topic. With this faucet handle placement, you do away with water, soap scum, and hard water minerals from dripping hands landing on the counter under the faucet. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2442104/positioning-single-handle-kitchen-faucet ”I'm not sure there's a more safe place or a less safe place as far as kids or someone touching the switch if someone had to stick their hands down the drain for if something like a fork fell in the drain...” You could also consider a “batch feed disposal”, in which there is no switch. The disposal is operated by a cover which doubles as a sink strainer and stopper. Push the cover in, the disposal starts. Pull the cover off, the disposal stops. The disposal can only operate with the cover on. There is no separate switch. There are pros and cons of each type of disposal - the “continuous feed“ which is what an air switch operates that you are talking about, and the “batch feed” which is what I just described. Read up on them if you are interested. I myself have a 1 hp batch feed disposal which I have had for many years because I too was concerned about my kids. Now they are grown but I still prefer the batch feed style. One caution is that my 1 hp batch feed disposal is large and takes up more room under the sink. This very quick video shows the cover of the Waste King batch feed disposal turning it on, turning it off, and acting as a stopper or as a strainer so you can see how the disposal works (though mine doesn’t have the strainer thingy shown at the very end. That strainer makes no sense since the black cover acts as the strainer). https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=15y-l7sO3pM
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slush1422
12 years ago
We did a high loop instead as well instead of an air gap. But if you have to have one for code, they also sell soap dispensers that act as an air gap so you would only need a single hole for it.

I typed this is google and came up with a few links: Air Gap Kit with Traditional Soap Dispenser
postquake_angela
Original Author
12 years ago
Man, you all are the best. I just consulted with the plumber about "high loops" and he's more than comfortable with ditching the air gap ("unsightly and hard to clean" he said).

So that leaves 3. We've already bought the faucet with the side spray, although I can see why people like the built-in type. The point about soap being annoying in the corner is a good point, and i think it probably follows for the side spray too.

Slush, looks like I don't need one, but that 2-in-1 is really clever.

Current plan: soap behind the sink on the left, midway between faucet & corner; spray behind the sink on the right, midway to corner; air switch in line with the rest, in right corner. Fork in it, done. I'm glad I asked, and thanks for taking the time to respond.

Placement of Air Switch, Air Gap, spray and soap dispenser

Comments (4)

breezygirl

friedajune

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Placement of Air Switch, Air Gap, spray and soap dispenser

Comments (4)

breezygirl

friedajune

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