When the gap leaks it is normally due to a kink or blockage in the tube from the air gap to the tail piece drain line below the sink.
Dishwasher water comes out of air vent on sink top.
All you need is a bottle brush and some household disinfecting cleaner.
Remove any loose food particles then clean with the bottle brush as shown.
If water squirts out the air gap s vent holes or you notice a foul smell coming from it it s time to clean it.
In a properly functioning air gap the dishwasher hose attaches to an input on the air gap and the water is expelled out the end.
Plug the disposal into the wall outlet and turn on the wall switch to drain the disposal and sink and stop water from flowing out the air gap.
Gravity pulls it downward into the hose which carries it to the garbage disposal.
The air gap is just that a gap of air in the dishwasher drain line so dirty water can not be forced up out of the sink and into the dishwasher.
Without an air gap contaminated water could be sucked back into the dishwasher dirtying your clean dishes and making you ill.
How an air gap works.