Quick Answer
Yes, you can use a garden hose to drain a dehumidifier. Most dehumidifiers will come with a drain hose or tube that allows you to direct the water that collects in the dehumidifier’s tank to a floor drain or outside. Simply connect the dehumidifier’s drain hose to a garden hose or extension hose and run the hose to wherever you want the water to drain. This allows for continuous draining without having to manually empty the tank.
Draining a Dehumidifier with a Hose
Draining a dehumidifier with a hose is a convenient way to get rid of the water it collects without having to frequently empty the tank. Here are the steps for setting up a dehumidifier drain hose:
1. Check if your dehumidifier has a drain port
Most dehumidifiers will have a drain port or hose connection through which water can exit the unit. This may be located at the back or side of the dehumidifier. Refer to the instruction manual to find where the drain connection is.
If your dehumidifier does not have a dedicated drain port, you may still be able to rig up a drain hose connection using the opening where you normally empty the water tank.
2. Obtain the necessary materials
You will need:
– Dehumidifier drain hose or plastic tubing (usually provided with the unit)
– Garden hose or extension hose
– Hose fittings and adapters to connect the hoses
– Zip ties, clamps, or tape to secure hose connections
The dehumidifier drain hose is usually 5/8-inch diameter vinyl tubing. Make sure you have the right fittings to connect it to a standard garden hose.
3. Connect the drain hose to the dehumidifier
Attach the drain hose to the drain port on the dehumidifier. Make sure it fits snugly in place. Use zip ties or clamps to secure it and prevent leaks.
Place the other end of the drain hose into a sink or bucket to catch the water initially after rigging up the hose.
4. Run the hose to the drainage location
Determine where you want the water to drain out – ideally somewhere it can run off safely away from your home. Common options include:
– Near a floor drain in a basement
– Out a window into the yard
– Into a laundry sink
– Into a bucket (needs frequent emptying)
Run the garden hose or an extension hose from the dehumidifier to the chosen drainage destination. Make sure the hose is long enough to reach the drain location without stretching or pulling.
5. Connect the garden hose
Attach the female end of the garden hose to the male end of the dehumidifier drain hose using suitable adapters and fittings. Secure with zip ties, clamps or tape to prevent leaks.
Place the other end of the garden hose into the sink, drain or container where you want the water collected.
6. Elevate the drain hose (optional)
To help the water drain freely down the hose, create a downward slope. Prop up the drain hose end about 6-12 inches higher than the garden hose end.
You can tape or clip the drain hose to walls, furniture, or boards to hold it in place sloping downwards.
7. Turn on the dehumidifier
With the hoses set up, turn on your dehumidifier as normal. Check that water is flowing through the drain hose and garden hose without leaks. Let it run for a few minutes over the sink or container to ensure proper drainage.
Once you’ve confirmed it’s draining smoothly, direct the garden hose end to the final drainage destination. The dehumidifier will now continuously drain through the hose as it operates.
Tips for Draining a Dehumidifier with a Hose
– Ensure all hose connections are secure and tight to prevent leaks. Use zip ties, clamps, or tape if needed.
– Periodically check the hose setup for any leaks or blockages.
– Make sure the hoses are not stretched, pinched, or kinked which could obstruct water flow.
– Elevate the drain hose end above the garden hose end for optimal drainage.
– Direct the garden hose end to an appropriate drainage location – never into a toilet or sink drain.
– Consider using a condensate pump if draining into a sink or high-level drain.
– Draining into a bucket requires frequent emptying before it overflows.
– During colder months, drainage may need to be set up indoors to prevent freezing.
– Follow any additional instructions provided in your dehumidifier manual.
Pros and Cons of Draining a Dehumidifier with a Hose
Draining a dehumidifier with a hose offers some clear benefits but also has a few downsides to consider:
Pros:
– Continuous drainage without having to empty water tank frequently
– Allows dehumidifier to run unattended for longer
– Gets rid of water easily without having to carry and empty tank
– Water can drain far away from the dehumidifier into yard or floor drain
Cons:
– Initial hose setup can be tricky and require some trial and error
– Possible leaks if hose connections aren’t tight or properly secured
– Need access to suitable drainage location and sufficient hose length
– Risk of tripping over hoses running across rooms
– Drainage sound from water flowing can be audible
– Condensation build up on cold hoses indoors during winter
Overall, draining with a hose is very convenient as long as it’s set up properly and directed to a suitable location. Just take precautions to avoid leaks and assess if the benefits outweigh the potential issues for your situation.
Alternative Drainage Options
If draining your dehumidifier with a hose isn’t practical or desirable for your space, there are a few other options for dealing with the collected water:
Emptying the Tank
The standard option is periodically emptying the dehumidifier’s water tank. This involves:
– Checking tank level gauge or indicator
– When full, carefully removing tank
– Carrying tank to sink, tub or outside
– Emptying water
– Replacing tank in dehumidifier
Pros: No setup required
Cons: Need to repeatedly empty tank which can be heavy and spill
Adding a Condensate Pump
A compact electric condensate pump can automatically pump out the collected water through tubing. This allows draining into a sink or other higher level location.
Pros: Drains automatically to sink or high drain
Cons: More expensive, requires power, pump may clog or fail
Draining into Bucket
Sit the dehumidifier over a large bucket and direct the drain hose into the bucket. When full, empty the bucket.
Pros: Simple setup
Cons: Need to frequently check and empty bucket before it overflows
Gravity Drain to Floor Drain
If on a suitable floor level, the drain hose can be directed to a floor drain to empty via gravity.
Pros: Convenient drainage if floor drain positioned properly
Cons: Access to floor drain needed, may need pump for higher locations
So in properties without suitable access for a hose, these other methods can be good alternatives for draining the dehumidifier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to drain a dehumidifier into a sink?
It’s generally not recommended to drain a dehumidifier directly into a sink drain, as the constant water flow can back up the drain over time. It’s better to drain into a floor drain or through a hose outside if possible.
Where should you drain a dehumidifier in winter?
In winter, it’s best to drain the dehumidifier somewhere indoors like into a laundry sink, or use a condensate pump if draining into a higher indoor location. Draining outside risks water freezing in the hose.
What size hose fits a dehumidifier drain?
Most dehumidifier drain hoses are 5/8-inch diameter vinyl tubing. You’ll need a 5/8” adapter to connect this to a standard garden hose which has a larger diameter.
How do I drain my dehumidifier continuously?
To drain continuously, attach a hose to the drain connector on the dehumidifier. Run the hose to a suitable drainage location like outside, into a sink or drain. The unit will now drain automatically through the hose as it collects water.
Where should the end of the drain hose be located?
Ideally place the end of the drain hose into a drain or outside area 6 inches or more lower than the drain port on the dehumidifier. This allows gravity to efficiently pull the water through the hose.
Conclusion
Draining a dehumidifier with a garden hose into a suitable location is an easy and convenient way to get rid of collected water. By properly connecting the dehumidifier’s drain hose to a hose, you can direct the water to drain outside or into a sink or floor drain automatically without having to frequently empty tanks by hand. Just be sure to check for leaks, secure all connections, position the hose end lower than the drain port, and direct the water to an appropriate place. Used properly, a garden hose provides a simple gravity draining solution to keep your dehumidifier running smoothly without constant manual water removal.