I have a very humid basement, in which I run a dehumidifier often. To allow for a more constant run, I purchased a dehumidifier pump. It says to run the pump out through a window or to a sink. I don't have a sink and I am worried about using the window in the winter (freezing, etc.). My question is, Is there a way I could use the standpipe that my washer drain goes into? It is in relatively good proximity to where I would be setting up the dehumidifier.
Plumbing – run a dehumidifier pump to a washer stand pipe
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Related Solutions
The simplist solution to dehumidifying in an area with no drain is to use a dehimidifier with a built in pump such as this one:
It has a long thin tube that can be routed to an area with a drain (such as a washing machine drainpipe) or to the outside (through a window frame or a very small hole drilled through the wall). If to the outside, you need to direct it away from the foundation.
There are a few versions available and they tend to cost a good bit more than a simple tank type, but the convenience may make it worthwhile.
If you already have a good dehumidifier and don't want the expense of replacing it, you may be able to use an add-on dehumidifier pump such as this one
It is hooked up to the demidifier and then uses a thin tube to move the water in the same manner as a pumping dehumidifier.
Yes, as @TomG says, take the standpipe up - but I'll modify 18" to "as far as the ceiling or the 8 foot limit allows", that's the least expensive first approach, and if it solves it, you are done. Get it right up inbetween the floor joists.
If a plumber was involved in the black Tee on the white PVC pipe at the top of the picture, the licensing board should hear about it. That thing is dead wrong - it's installed sideways (it's the wrong fitting for the location). I'd expect there might be venting issues with that connection, too.
If merely extending the standpipe does not do it, you need to clean up the lower mess to gain some height (and ensure adequate flow.) That might well involve a plumber (or some advanced DIY plumbing) and some expense, but it would not involve extra complexity and electricity use.
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Best Answer
Yes, there should be no problem with doing that, provided you're within distance constraints of the pump. The washer stand pipe should just be a vertical pipe, with your washer drain going inside it, and not actually connected/sealed. This is done so that there is a vacuum break. You should simply put the pipe from this pump along side the washer pipe in the same way - do not attach it with fittings, otherwise you risk water from the pump going into your washer, or more likely, drain water from the washer going into the pump.
In this picture, the white pipe is the standpipe, the black is the drain connected to the washer.
Basically, just put the pipe from your dehumidifier pump alongside the black pipe.
To echo @Jeff Widmer, you may want to tie the pipes down afterwards (a zip tie or some electrical tape around the whole thing may work), just to be sure neither pipe ever slips out and sprays everywhere. Again, don't seal this up or use fittings - you specifically need an air gap.