Although venting the dryer isn’t too difficult but there are some important rules you must be aware of to protect your safety and health. Venting your dryer improperly can let lint and moisture in your home, which can lower the air quality. In addition, improper venting could cause fire hazards.
Materials for a Secure Vent that is Low-Maintenance and Safe
Because of the temperature of the air that leaves the dryer, only UL approved high temperature metal ducting is your only suitable material to use. Flexible flex duct made of white plastic may seem like a sensible and budget-friendly choice however, it’s a lot more prone to accumulation of dirt than tubing made of metal and is more prone to fires. It’s also not sturdy, and you’ll need to replace it often.
The best choices are:
- Spiral-wound aluminum flex pipe Although this is a common practice however, it’s not ideal as the uneven inside can accumulate dust. Before installing this kind of duct, ensure that your dryer has been approved for it.
- semi-rigid aluminium The material is similar to flex duct but it’s slightly better for venting lengths with longer lengths.
- The rigid aluminum The smooth, smooth interior is what makes this product an ideal dryer duct for you.
- sheet metal Sheet metal is more difficult to set up and is therefore less popular However, the thickness of it makes it extremely sturdy. The smooth surface is a further benefit.
For the majority of dryers, a 4-inch duct is the best choice. If you’ll be required to bend your ducts, you can install elbows to avoid the kinks from occurring. Do not let the duct drag onto the ground. Use bands or supports to secure the duct to floor beams, or any other surface.
Join lengths of duct by using an UL-approved aluminum (foil) bandage or compression clamps Screws are designed to trap lint within the duct, increasing the possibility of fires.
If you are planning to route the duct through an un-conditioned space, like in your crawl space make sure you insulate the duct to keep the condensation from freezing in winter.
Covering the duct with two to three inches of fiberglass insulation would be the most straightforward way to go about it, but you could also purchase specially-designed dryer insulation sleeves for ducts.
Accessories
To ensure your safety, think about installing a dryer vent box that is recessed. It’s a plastic box that is built into the wall, creating space for the dryer vent duct. As a result, it’s less likely to be damaged or kinked. It also shields walls from moisture and heat damage.
Once the vent is away from the way it is possible to move the dryer further away from the wall in order to free up space and give it a more tidy appearance.
The outside opening of your vent will require an enclosure to block out cold weather, dust, like leaves, and even curious wildlife. There are a variety of types of covers readily available.
Vent Hood The simple and angled hood looks exactly like the vent hood that is above the cooking area. The lower part is protected by either a damper or grill. A damper is opened to let the air from the dryer out, however it stays shut when the dryer is turned off.
Do not use vent hoods by a grill or screen. They are a great place to collect lint that can be a fire risk. They also allow in tiny rodents and insects and debris as well as air from outside.
The cover for the floating-shuttle In this model the arm extends out from the vent opening , and rotates upwards at a 90-degree angle. Over this opening that faces upwards is a lid with a cup shape that is lifted by the escape of dryer air. When the dryer is shut off the lid falls down, sealing the opening. This keeps all kinds of debris from entering the space.
Louvered Cover This is flat cover that has at least one or two slats that can be opened by drying air that escapes and then closed when the dryer is not being used. This helps keep out all kinds of debris , and it also conserves space when compared with other types of covers.
To increase the efficiency of the vent and to protect your wall apply caulk to seal off the junction where the vent joins the wall’s exterior.
Plan Your Dryer Venting Path
The route that your dryer vent travels from the dryer outdoors can make all the difference in your vent’s ability to function safely and effectively. Make sure to choose the straightest and shortest route you can. This will reduce the need for elbows as well as other twists that can build up the lint.
If you’ve purchased a dryer vent kit the instructions should offer guidance regarding the best length.
When you can, limit your vent ducts to not more than 25 feet long and only add elbows when necessary. Turns can reduce how much ducting that you are able to safely use and therefore, you should reduce your total length by 5 feet per 90-degree turning and 2.5 feet for each 45-degree turn. Therefore, if your plan comprises one 45-degree turn the duct’s turn must not exceed 22.5 feet in length.
The most straightforward option is to route the vent straight through the wall that is behind the dryer to the outside. If that doesn’t work you can run it through the nearest wall that is outside.
To run dryers in basements you can run the duct up and then vertically across the ceiling joist until it reaches the outside. Place the vent opening for outdoor use at least one foot above the ground to allow air circulation and keep the vent spotless.
Do not run the vent into the ceiling. The likelihood is higher that it will get blocked the vent, and it could draw in birds and other animals that nest, and in cold climates it could cause snow dams that could damage the roof.
Venting a dryer is fairly simple DIY task However, it’s still something that you should put some thought into. By spending a bit of time choosing the best material and route for the dryer vent can help your dryer operate more efficiently, safeguard your home from water damage and, perhaps more importantly, decrease the possibility of fires.
