Manually draining a dehumidifier day after day can be a pain. But with many drain options, you can automate the process.
Whether you have a dehumidifier with a hose, internal pump, or condensate pump, you can find directions for how to drain your dehumidifier below.
Let’s get started.
How to Drain a Dehumidifier with a Hose
Step 1: Find the drain port on the back and remove the rubber stopper if there is one.
Step 2: Thread the drain hose through the cap.
Step 3: Screw the hose back onto the drain port.
Step 4: Lead the end of the hose to a nearby drain.
Step 5: Let gravity drain do all the work and drain your dehumidifier while you relax
If your dehumidifier didn’t come with a drain hose, you can use a standard garden hose if your dehumidifier has the right connection for it.
Some models only have a smaller plastic hose that you can use.
How to Drain a Dehumidifier with a Condensate Pump
A condensate pump will let you pump the water vertically, which is great if you don’t have a floor drain you can use.
This way, you can pump the water into a sink or even outdoors if you have a garage dehumidifier.
Step 1. Attach a hose from the dehumidifier to your condensate pump
Step 2. Take the drain hose from the condensate pump and place it where you prefer, either in the sink, water bucket, laundry tray drain, or through a window.
Step 3. Ensure your drainage system is running properly and enjoy hassle-free draining
Consider a Dehumidifier with a Built-in Pump
Some dehumidifiers have a built-in condensate pump, and all you need to do is attach the hose to the pump.
The water will be drained to your preferred location.
Is it OK to drain the dehumidifier into sump pump?
You can drain a dehumidifier into a sump pump.
You can connect the drain hose of your dehumidifier to your sump pump, and you won’t need to worry about emptying your dehumidifier’s water collection bucket.
Can you use a garden hose to drain a dehumidifier?
You can use a garden hose to drain a dehumidifier as long as your dehumidifier is compatible with a garden hose.
Not every model is going to have the proper connections, so check with your manufacturer or the model before you purchase.
How often to Drain a Dehumidifier?
Depending on how often your dehumidifier fills up is dependent on the humidity levels in your environment.
The more moisture in the air, the more times you’ll need to drain your dehumidifier.
If your dehumidifier is working at maximum capacity, you can expect to drain your dehumidifier twice a day.
To avoid having to manually drain your dehumidifier, you can opt to use a dehumidifier drain hose or a condensate pump.
Do dehumidifiers need to drain?
You can choose to drain your dehumidifier manually or use a continuous drain to remove the water.
Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, and the removed moisture must go somewhere.
The water is stored in the water tank underneath the dehumidifier’s internal components.
If you choose to use the continuous drain option, the dehumidifier will automatically drain itself once the water reaches a certain threshold.
You can opt to use a second method like a condensate pump which will pump the water vertically to your desired destination.
How Long Can A Dehumidifier Drain Hose Be?
If you are using a continuous drain, then the dehumidifier drain hose should not exceed five feet.
The reduction in water pressure will lead to less than ideal drainage and will make it difficult for water to flow.
Condensate pumps can pump water up to 50 feet depending on the model.
Heavy-duty dehumidifiers are going to be your best bet if you’re trying to remove water vertically from a basement.
How Frequently Do I Need To Clean My Dehumidifier?
You should clean your dehumidifier every two to four weeks depending on how often you use your dehumidifier.
If you haven’t given your dehumidifier a cleaning in a while, it may be necessary to take it apart so you can get to the internal coils and clean them off as well.
Cleaning your dehumidifier with vinegar or other substances is a great way to keep your dehumidifier mold-free.
By keeping your dehumidifier clean, you’ll ensure that it keeps working properly for longer.
Final Thoughts
To drain your dehumidifier, attach the drain hose to the drain port on the back of your dehumidifier. Then, place the drain hose on a floor drain or outside.
If you need to pump the water vertically, then you’ll need to utilize a condensate pump or look into purchasing a dehumidifier with a built-in pump for easier draining.
