Can I drain my dehumidifier into an unknown basement pipe?
Connecting a dehumidifier to an unknown basement pipe requires figuring out what the line was intended for and whether you need a trap or air gap. DIY installation attempts can lead to mistakes like using too much glue that blocks water flow, leaving the unit running without any visible drainage.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Draining into the water softenerDid this help you?
- 2Running the line into a floor sump pumpDid this help you?
- 3Testing the pipe capacity with a continuous run or inspecting it with a sewer cameraDid this help you?
- 4Hiring a professional to do the installationDid this help you?
- 5Dumping the water collection bucket manually every dayDid this help you?
- 6Replacing flexible vinyl tubing with PVC pipe and a 90-degree elbow directed down to the ground, and routing the runoff to water plants.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I was thinking of getting an energy star rated 50 pint(and fyi I have no where for a drain, so I’ll just dump it daily), but I’m stuck on which one to buy.”source ↗
“I don’t have enough money to test different ones, I just need one nice reliable long lasting one.”source ↗
“In a previous home, I didn’t have a sump pump cover, but I am now in a newer home and I am always cautious about upsetting a balance or setup that I do not understand. How would I set up my dehumidifier output line to prevent any water issues?”source ↗
“Im not the best at diy but trying to learn. Ran to Lowe’s bought a threaded 3/4 elbow. Connected to a 3/4 p trap. Then a connector to a threaded area to receive the hose adapter.”source ↗
“Unit has been on for almost an hour and I’m not seeing water flow. Is there a world where I maybe used too much glue and it’s blocking water ?”source ↗
“If I do that, will it need foam insulation around the pipe for winter?”source ↗
“I was wondering if I could drain/pump my dehumidifier into it (the white 1/4” line in the photo).”source ↗
“Is it obvious what this pipe/circle in front of it would’ve been intended for? Can I pump my dehumidifier into it (if so, do I need a trap, air gap, something else)?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2Where do I install a furnace humidifier when there is no room?
- 2Why does my evaporator coil drain outside instead of the bathroom?
- 8Why is my air conditioner condensation pan overflowing?
- 14Where do I run the vent for a washer installation?
- 16What is this extra pipe dripping into my sink drain?
- 4How to maintain an outdoor sump pump discharge pipe in the yard