Don't Use PVC for Dryer Vents
- History In the 1950s, when PVC pipes were first developed, people found this material to be very durable and the quality of it being resistant to bacteria has made it convenient for plumbing purposes. PVC comes in a variety of sizes measured in diameter and strengths referring to schedules. ...
- Risks and Dangers ...
- Precautionary Measures ...
Can I insulate a dryer vent pipe?
Track the exhaust pipe from your dryer until it leaves the house. You may have to cut through drywall to fully expose the pipe and be able to apply insulation. Cover the pipe in two to three inches of fiberglass insulation. Secure the insulation with HVAC duct tape.
How to properly vent a dryer (DIY)?
- Make sure both ends of the dryer vent are unobstructed
- Clean the venting tube to get rid of excess lint
- Place container of water at the output end of the vent
- Use flexible vent pipes
Is your dryer vent pipe safe and legal?
The dryer vent pipe, or duct, comes in several types. But not all are designed for the same applications, and some are downright dangerous and illegal.
How do you connect dryer vent pipes together?
Use rigid duct with pipe clamps, much safer than flex. They come with the correct side crimped off. You can use a little bit of flex at the beginning or end of the run but it must have a rigid connector on it. They make flex with connector, can use that for the first bit.
Why PVC for a Dryer Vent is a Bad Idea
In most cases, there aren’t strict rules saying that you can’t use PVC for your dryer vent, but you still shouldn’t. PVC is terrible for venting dryers for several reasons that I’ll go into more detail about.
What Type of Pipe Can You use for Dryer Vents?
While PVC is not a recommended product for dryer venting, the good news is that you have lots of alternatives. Here are some of the best products to use for your dryer vent and where the best place is to use them.
Can ABS be used for a Dryer Vent?
Just like with PVC pipe, ABS also isn’t recommended for use on a dryer vent. ABS is slightly different from PVC in its composition and makeup but still isn’t a good option. ABS has gone in its favor because it can withstand higher heat than PVC, but it still has too much static electricity and resistance for a dryer vent.
Final Thoughts
Dryers are awesome appliances that make drying clothes faster and easier. They’re durable and long-lasting as long as they’re installed correctly and are taken care of. Ensuring that you use the right materials for your dryer vent is a big part of making sure they operate the way they’re supposed to.
Why PVC Is Not The Best Material For Your Dryer Vent?
Some homeowners use PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride duct for the dryer vent since it’s cheaper and easily available. Although it seems sturdy, this is further from the truth. PVC pipes have been around for half a century. They were popular back since they were easy to get and could resist corrosion. Also, these were resistant to rotting caused by bacteria.
Why is lint in dryer vents so bad?
As lint builds up in a dryer vent, there’s high energy consumption as clothes struggle to dry. There is an obstruction to free airflow because of the clogged duct. Likewise, this prolongs the drying cycle and increases energy bills.
What size duct should I use for dryer vents?
I recommend the HAVC premium duct for dryer vent pipe fitting. The pipe is incredibly long at 20 feet and is easy to install. It has a dimension of 4 inches, which is recommended by the venting guidelines. Moreover, this pipe is versatile for different applications and is a good value for money.
How does a dryer vent work in 2021?
Statistics show that thousands of house fires are caused by poor dryer venting. Even though these fires are common, the good news is that they are preventable by fitting the best dryer vent pipe. A dryer vent pipe works by drawing out water vapor from wet clothes. The vent connection system transports the hot ...
What size dryer vent should I use?
A dryer duct should be at least 4 inches in diameter, clean, and with no obstruction to airflow. The pipe should have zero friction to allow for airflow efficiency and quicken the drying period.
Why does PVC duct trap melt?
PVC or Vinyl duct trap can easily melt because of the hot air coming from the dryer. When this happens, heat alters the shape of the plastic material leading to deformation. The bends and curves created are recipes for disaster since they trap the lint coming from the dryer.
What is the best material for venting?
The best venting material is solid metal with a smooth interior to allow for optimal airflow. I don’t recommend a PVC material because of the high risk of fire. PVC is made of highly flammable plastic that can burn when sparks from lint ignite a fire.
What is PVC Pipe?
PVC pipe is made from a plastic material and stands for polyvinyl chloride. PVC is a synthetic plastic polymer that can be formed into various shapes. When used for pipe, PVC is typically a rigid white material that resists corrosion. Some experts report that PVC is the third most widely produced plastic globally.
The Problems with Temperature and PVC Pipe
One of the problems with using PVC pipe to vent a clothes dryer is temperature. Most schedule 40 PVC pipes will soften and lose their structural integrity at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is well above the industry standard temperature for residential clothes dryers.
Stay Within The Building Codes
Most building codes in the US prohibit using PVC pipes for dryer vents. There are several reasons for these prohibitions. You may save yourself time and money by avoiding PVC pipes when rebuilding your dryer vents.
What is the Best Alternative for A Dryer Vent?
In general, the best alternative for venting your dryer is metal. The metal dryer vent can be steel or aluminum, and both are good alternatives. There are several reasons that metal is the proper choice for venting your dryer.
What Other Considerations Should I Take For My Dryer Vent?
If you are installing a new dryer vent, you will need to make an opening of the correct size through an exterior wall. If your home has a brick veneer siding, this can be a challenge, and you may need to hire a professional to create this opening. Other considerations when venting a dryer include:
PVC Pipe – Not For Dryer Vents
There are much better alternatives for venting your dryer than PVC pipe. Choosing the right vent pipe can enable your clothes dryer to operate more efficiently and have a longer working life. The cost difference is negligible between metal and PVC vent pipes. So do yourself and your dryer a favor by installing the best choice in vent pipe.
When was PVC pipe first used?
In the 1950s, when PVC pipes were first developed, people found this material to be very durable and the quality of it being resistant to bacteria has made it convenient for plumbing purposes. PVC comes in a variety of sizes measured in diameter and strengths referring to schedules.
Can you use PVC for dryer vents?
Since PVC is not really safe for dryer vents, it is recommended to use the flexible aluminum pipes for your dryer vents instead. Not only is less expensive, it is also easier to install and vent warping and dryer overheating is no longer an issue. Although a lot of building codes still allow PVC pipes for dryer vents, ...
Can a dryer vent be clogged?
When the vents get clogged it is also very possible that the dryer itself can overheat and can increase the risk of fire. Lint also can burn if too much heat is accumulated and can ignite especially if you are drying something that contains oil and grease. So in essence, use of a PVC pipe as a dryer vent is a fire hazard.
Is PVC pipe bad for dryer vents?
The dangers of PVC pipe is that since it is very sensitive to high temperatures exhausted by the dryer, the vent’s pipe will eventually soften and possibly break . Since it is also prone to static buildup, lint will accumulate inside the pipe and could clog the exhaust causing the pipe to be less effective as a dryer vent.
What is the purpose of articles being reviewed?
To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.
Why is my dryer duct running in a slab?
The big problem with running dryer ducts in slabs -be they PVC, metal, or anything else -is that the slab acts as a heat-sink, increasing condensation and causing lint to deposit in the pipe - the problem is worst with longer runs and changes of direction.
How long is a transition duct for a dryer?
Clothes dryer transition ducts used to connect the appliance to the exhaust duct system shall be limited to single lengths not to exceed 8 feet and shall be listed and labeled for the application. Transition ducts shall not be concealed within construction.” [Note: Once they pass through a wall, floor or ceiling the code determines the duct is concealed and must be an “exhaust duct” and not a “transition duct”.]
What size ducts are required for M1502.5?
M1502.5 Duct construction.Exhaust ducts shall be constructed of minimum 0.016-inch-thick (0.4 mm) rigid metal ducts, having smooth interior surfaces with joints running in the direction of air flow. Exhaust ducts shall not be connected with sheet-metal screws or fastening means which extend into the duct.
How long is a PVC floor?
This encases the PVC within the concrete floor. The PVC runs from the laundry room to an outside wall of the slab, and are most likely 8-12 feet long. I've seen homeowners split the flexible duct stuff, slip it onto the 4" PVC and use duct tape to make a seal.
What happens when air flows through PVC?
Air flowing through PVC creates static electricity. Static electricity attracts the lint and causes it to stick in the pipe. Static Electricity also creates sparks. PVC is extremely toxic when burning/melting as well.
What is the thermal conductivity of PVC?
I know this is an older post, but I am curious. the Thermal conductivity of PVC is 0.19 that is at least 100 times less then steel, and in the same range as wood...
Can a PVC connector slip over a PVC stub?
As for connections, we are back to M1502 "having smooth interior surfaces with joints running in the direction of air flow", you can't have a connection which slips over the PVC stub (unless it was somehow constructed to produce a smooth interior transition), the practical way to do this is to construct a connector which forms the male end of the connection. I'm not aware of any such factory made connection, if it do not exist it would have to be shop or field fabricated.
