Is dehumidifier water removal a problem that prevents you from using dehumidifiers? Does the following scenario sound familiar to you? To empty your home dehumidifier, you have to carry a bucket of water from your dehumidifier across the room and pour the water into a corner drain or the laundry sink. Or even worse, you have to carry the bucket full of water upstairs to your kitchen sink—this can be a messy and time-consuming process. Then, once you put the bucket back in place, you may have to repeat this operation two or more times that same day!

Any of the above scenarios play out every day for those who need to use a dehumidifier in their home. During the rainy spring months, our customer service representatives are asked daily, “What can I do to make removing the water more convenient?” The Fral FDK54 Dehumidifier could be the solution to your problems. This commercial-grade large-space or whole-home dehumidifier is ideal for continuous drainage options, as it can be ducted or used as a standalone unit. It’s perfect for homeowners or businesses who want a continually powerful and effective solution for moisture control in large areas. Despite its powerful nature, its compact size makes it perfect for basements, garages, cellars, crawlspaces, warehouses, and workshops up to 2,500 square feet in size. It boasts continuous drainage, a digital humidistat and display, low-temperature operation down to 33°F, and an automatic hot gas defrosting system.

As an alternative to a dehumidifier with a bucket only, you have the option of purchasing a dehumidifier that has an internal condensate pump, like the Comfort-Aire 60 Pint Dehumidifier or any number of Ebac or Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers. If these dehumidifiers are more than what you need in your home, if they do not fit with the decor in your space, or if they are simply too expensive, there is another alternative.

At AchooAllergy.com, the best solution that we recommend is to “port” the water from your unit to create a continuous drain dehumidifier. Most people associate the word “porting” with computers and something a ship may do, but porting is an essential feature of many of the dehumidifiers we offer. Porting is the process of using an exterior drain line to continuously drain your dehumidifier.

Dehumidifier Water Removal Option – Gravity Drain

First, hook a hose up to your dehumidifier, then run the line down to a drain.

The drain hose cannot be above the drain fitting as this will cause flooding of your dehumidifier.

Porting and Water Removal Options

The porting process is relatively simple, but it can only work when gravity is on your side. You need to place the dehumidifier in a position that is higher than where you want the water to end up. If this is not possible due to a grade or a lack of a nearby drain, you can still port your dehumidifier, but you will need to purchase a condensate pump for dehumidifiers to push the water up the grade or over a longer distance. If you know this before you buy, you can also consider purchasing a unit like the Comfort-Aire 50 Pint dehumidifier, which comes with a condensate pump already integrated into the unit.

As mentioned above, most room dehumidifiers, like our Comfort-Aire 22 pint, have a condensate bucket that must be emptied by hand. A float switch turns off the dehumidifier when the bucket is full to prevent overflows. Many dehumidifiers feature a threaded spigot for connecting a water hose for easy drainage. If you have a floor drain or a basement sink, you can drain the water by using gravity. Water is continuously being removed from the air, then into the unit, and then down into the drain. You have very little day-to-day upkeep or maintenance with this dehumidifier water removal option.

Typical Installation Steps and Advice

• The first step is to decide where the dehumidifier will go in your home and how you want the water to go out of it. If you want to use the lower cost of gravity, you need to get the dehumidifier off the floor and up at least 6 inches off the ground, even if it’s a basement dehumidifier. Take some time to determine the placement of your dehumidifier and the final destination of the drained water, as this can save you a significant amount of time in the future. Make a quick diagram of how you are going to transport the water from point A (the dehumidifier) to point B (the drain).
• Place your dehumidifier on a level surface. You will likely need to place it on a wooden skid or concrete block to elevate the unit and ensure proper drainage. You may also want to consider building a small shelf to elevate the unit. Use adjustable feet or shims and a level to make sure your dehumidifier is level. Even crawlspace dehumidifiers may benefit from being elevated off the ground.
• Most dehumidifiers have a small, threaded hole about an inch or smaller where you can often attach a hose. Some units may include a fitting or adapter for this purpose. The most common size is a 5/8″ opening, which will fit most standard garden hoses. Use this to drain away the collected moisture by attaching the end of a standard garden hose to the drain fitting of your dehumidifier. Run the hose down to your drain, sump pump, condensate pump, or HVAC drainage line. Restoration dehumidifiers often have these fittings and included integrated condensate pumps as well.
• Instead of a garden hose, you can also use a PVC pipe. Cut and dry-fit your PVC pipe to the garden hose adapter. You can make a 90° elbow toward the ground and another 90° elbow at ground level to funnel the water to your drain. When you are satisfied with the look of your drainage system, glue the piping together. Working with PVC pipe and glue requires some trial and error, but these items are easy to work with and can be purchased at a reasonable cost. If you use PVC piping, the primary concern is how quickly the glue sets. When you apply the glue to the joint and push the pieces together, you have only a few seconds before the glue begins to set, and you will not be able to change the design.
• Plug in your dehumidifier, and you should be ready to go! Ensure that when you plug in your dehumidifier, you use a sturdy, high-quality extension cord. A dehumidifier draws a good amount of power, so you need to use a heavy-duty, grounded extension cord.
• Fill the tank with water to test the setup and ensure it is draining properly—do not pour water through the dehumidifier. Testing the porting system may sound humorous, but you want to ensure it works properly before leaving it unattended for any length of time. It would be frustrating to leave it and later discover a small leak. If you see water leaking from a clamp, connection, or joint that you glued, apply some more PVC glue to maintain a better seal.

Dehumidifier Water Removal Option – Condensate Pump

Hook a hose up to your dehumidifier and then run the line down to a condensate pump.

The dehumidifier drain hose nor the condensate pump can be above the drain fitting, or it will cause flooding of your dehumidifier.

Dehumidifier Placement, Operation, and Safety

You must raise your dehumidifier to use gravity for proper drainage. You can put it up on a cement block or build a shelf for the unit to sit on. Always make sure that the dehumidifier is level. The next step is to determine how far above ground level you must place the unit to allow for adequate drainage. The unit must be placed higher than the drain to allow the water to flow downward and away from the unit. This is referred to as a gravity drain.

Most dehumidifiers have top-mounted air discharge and can be placed against walls, but if you do not have top-mounted discharge, make sure the dehumidifier is located away from walls and furniture. By placing the dehumidifier away from the wall, air can circulate freely around the unit. Always place your dehumidifier away from sources of dust and dirt that can clog the coils and grills. This will result in better and more efficient operation of the unit.

While the dehumidifier is running, keep the doors and windows closed within the space that you are dehumidifying. Keeping the room closed ensures that the space is dehumidified as efficiently as possible.

Observe all manufacturer warnings regarding electrical safety. Never set up water drainage or disposal near electrical circuits or devices. Ensure the dehumidifier is connected to a properly grounded electrical outlet. Keep drain hoses away from electrical cords and connections.

If you plan to use a hose to drain the dehumidifier’s water bucket, ensure the unit is positioned close enough to the floor drain or sump to avoid the need for a long and cumbersome hose. Do not create a tripping hazard!

Summary

There are many other reasons for you to use a dehumidifier in your home. You may want to prevent the risk of rust on tools in your garage or basement workshop. Alternatively, you may want to dry out an area in your home that a water leak has saturated. For those with allergies, it may be beneficial to control your environment and limit exposure to mold, mildew, and dust mites.

A dehumidifier extracts moisture from the air, making it a great way to lower humidity in any space. Some people quit using their dehumidifiers because of the work that is involved in emptying the water collection bucket. However, the benefits for allergy sufferers, property, and air quality are too essential for you to not to run your unit. Finally, knowing the dehumidifier water removal options available can help you decide which drain system is best for your home.

When you know which dehumidifier water removal option is right for you, shop our full selection of dehumidifiers. If you’d like to learn more about dehumidifiers, humidity, or controlling excess moisture, visit any of our Learning Center articles.

✔ Dehumidifier Buying Guide
✔ How Does a Dehumidifier Work?
✔ Dehumidifier FAQs
✔ Top Five Basement Dehumidifiers
✔ Top Crawl Space Dehumidifiers
✔ Mold FAQs
✔ Common Types of Household Mold
✔ Winter Mold Allergies