Dryers are one appliance that may be underappreciated given how handy it is. Not only do dryers save your precious time, but it also helps dry clothes without hassle even on days when it is drizzling.
Whether it is a tumble dryer or a heat pump, it is vital to know how dryers lose all the water. Does it need a drain or there are other ways to conduit the water?
Do dryers need a drain?
Dryers usually do not necessarily require a drain if there is a vent. However, when a drain and hose are connected to a dryer, the water expulsion is more efficient. A drain prevents the formation of mold, drains water quickly, and reduces work since you would not need to empty the tanks or trays.
According to the type of dryer you are using, you may or may not need a drain.
Ventless dryers:
As the name suggests, ventless dryers do not have a vent and they operate by depleting the steam outside of the dryer.
You may be surprised to know that ventless drains neither need a vent nor a drain because they are built with a water tank where the water is collected.
However, many models of ventless dryers come with both the drain system and the water collection tank. With a drain, it would be easier and less time consuming to empty the tank.
Steam dryers:
Steam dryers are mighty similar to any other heat dryers whereby they use hot air to dry the clothes. The only difference is how they use the steam to direct back to the clothes.
This helps by making clothes softer, wrinkle and crease-free so you would not need to iron.
In this case, a drain is important because there is always the chance of leakage, particularly if it is placed in one of the other regularly, used rooms.
Tumble dryers:
Tumble dryers do not require a drain because they have an integrated water tank that collects the moisture from the clothes as they dry.
However, some modern tumble dryers keep the option open so you can connect the dryer to a drain, which would mean that the water would drain out by itself.
Condenser dryers:
Condenser dryers require proper drains for condensed water which is collected on a tray, located at the bottom of the dryer.
Condenser dryers simply work by removing the moisture from the wet clothes and condensing that vapor into water. This water is then drained away from the drainpipe.
Heat pump dryers:
Heat pump dryers uses current to produce hot air in the dryer. Using a refrigerant and a compressor, the air is made hotter until it is passed to the wet laundry to make it dry.
The heat pump dryer should have a draining system unless there is a vent already installed. A drain is helpful especially because the accumulated water would need to be discarded after a couple of cycles.
Although in modern dryers, the moisture is dissipated outside where the water condenses back, it would be most convenient to have a drain and a vent in such a dryer.
Does a dryer need a drain pan and hose?
Whether you have a dryer that exhausts out the water through a venting system or a drain, it is helpful to have a drain and a hose. A drain is a necessity when you have a condenser dryer, so the water can be collected.
Although there is no requirement to have a drain pan in a dryer, the pan particularly aids when there is a leakage.
Drain pans are cheap and easy to fit in. All you have to do is slide it under the dryer. In case of any water leakage, whether it is from the dryer or hose, you know you would be safe from further damage to the floor.
A hose is required for a dryer, regardless of what kind of dryer you use. A hose can be simply connected to the dryer, and into the drainpipe, laundry basin, garden, or washbasin for the accumulated water to pass away.
More ever, for venting purposes, the hose is also required in a heat or tumbler dryer. In addition to that, even some models of ventless dryers have built-in hose plugs which are mostly located at the back of the dryer.
3 reasons why dryers need a drain
Although not one of the parts of a dryer that the appliance cannot do without, a dryer needs a drain for several good reasons.
No leaky business:
One of the most crucial reasons for having a drain hose connected to a drain in a dryer is to prevent leakage from the appliance.
When there is a drain in the dryer, you can rest assured that all water that has been condensed back into the dryer would be expelled out of the dryer.
If there are vents, a water collection tank, or a drain pan only but not a drain, there are always chances of possible leakage. This is particularly important if your dryer is placed on the upper floor of the house, or even so in one of your living or dining rooms.
Drains out excess water:
Simply put, the work of a drain is to channel out the moisture or water that remains after the laundry inside has been dried.
Whether it is a condenser dryer or a tumbler, a drain is an inexpensive way to keep your dryer’s interiors dry. The drain would only require a drain hose where the outer end can be anywhere from a basic, to your garden.
This way the dryer is safe from mold or mildew since the insides would be dry after every laundry.
Less work, more time:
What dryers are supposed to accomplish is time-saving. If you are having to dispatch a tray or tank full of water every time it becomes full, you are hardly saving any time.
With a drain, the water collection tank or tray would be emptied automatically without hassle and work. This also works as a substitute for the water collection tank in your dryer. So, you don’t have to make rounds to empty that tank.
How does the dryer drain work?
Dryer drains can work in different ways. Let’s get to know them.
Expelling condensed moisture:
More traditionally, in heat pump dryers or steam dryers, the dryer operates by simply expelling the condensed moisture, or accumulated water from the dryer through a hose pipe.
Automatic water circulation:
In a ventless dryer, where the water is collected in a water collection tank, the dryer is connected in such a way that the water tank is emptied automatically.
Connecting hose:
The hose is simply connected from the tank to the drain outlet with a closing valve if the outlet is external. The same works for the condenser dryer except, the drain works to empty the tank of the dryer.
How do you connect a dryer to the water drain?
Connecting a dryer to the water drain is simple. Here are a few easy steps you can follow to make a connection:
Identify dryer hose:
At first you would have to identify that your dryer comes with a drain hose. While many models have a hose with the purchase, others don’t.
You may want to purchase one according to the type and length required.
Locate drain:
Before anything else, first locate the drain you want to connect the hose into. You can use a designated drain or use a washbasin as a drain as well.
Sometimes people use a small window or even a sinkhole as an outlet for the drain hose.
Locate connector:
Now locate the connector of the hose on your dryer. Mostly you would be able to find a drain hose connector at the rear of your appliance.
Insert hose:
Insert the hose into the dryer connector first before you get a hose guide.
A hose guide is incredibly helpful when your dryer is set in a tight corner or when the drain hole is somewhat difficult to adjust with the hose pipe.
It also makes it much easier to move the hose pipe between the two connecting points. Not only that, but the guide also makes your hose pipe last much longer and works as a protection.
Connect the other end of the hose:
Now, simply connect the other end of the hose pipe to the drain hole or sink. In case the drain you are connecting to is external, you would also have to use a check valve.
A check valve or non-return valve makes sure that the water would flow out of the drain only.
Final Thoughts
Though not a requirement, a drain in your dryer can be beneficial in many ways. Except for tumbler dryers, other types are greatly aided when a drain is connected nearby. The drain can be connected to an outlet which can be anything from a sinkhole or wash basin to a drain hole.