how do you install a long run dryer vent

How to Install a Dryer Vent

• STEP 1: Determine the path of the ventilation duct.. Dryer vent installation begins with a decision: By what route will...
• STEP 2: Open up a small, 4-1/4″ hole in the exterior wall.. Now comes the most challenging part of dryer vent...
• STEP 3: Secure the dryer vent cap on the home exterior.. Install the dryer vent cap against the side of your...

Full Answer

How far can you run a dryer vent on a wall?

Pro tip: Use no more than 25 feet. of 4-inch duct, and subtract 5 feet for every 90-degree turn and 2 1/2 feet for every 45-degree turn for dryer vent installation. For example, a dryer with a 90-degree elbow at the exhaust port and another at the top of the basement wall can run a maximum of 15 feet.

How do you anchor a dryer vent to the wall?

Anchor the duct to walls or ceilings every 6 to 8 feet with a pipe strap. Pro tip: Loop the strap around the duct; don't screw the strap to it. Plug the dryer in and turn it on. Check outside to make sure the vent flap is opening.

How do you clean a dryer vent outside?

Don’t forget to clean outside, too. Remove the vent cover from the exhaust hood on the outside of your home and clean the dryer vent using a vacuum hose. Grab a measuring tape to measure the distance from the dryer’s exhaust to the location of the vent outlet grill on the exterior wall.

Can you connect a dryer vent to a new duct?

Connecting a dryer vent is a relatively simple process, while laying all new ductwork may require the help of a professional. If your space is already equipped with venting hookups, read on for a step-by-step guide on how to install a dryer vent.

What is the longest distance you can run a dryer vent?

The maximum developed length of a clothes dryer exhaust duct shall not exceed 35 feet from the dryer location to the wall or roof termination. The maximum length of the duct shall be reduced 2.5 feet for each 45-degree (0.8 rad) bend, and 5 feet for each 90-degree (1.6 rad) bend.

How do you install a long dryer vent hose?

Dryer Vent Installation in 6 StepsStep 1: Pull the dryer away from the wall. ... Step 2: Tighten the clamp. ... Step 3: Attach the periscope. ... Step 4: Use dryer vent kit to join the box vent to duct. ... Step 5: Attach a 90-degree elbow. ... Step 6: Finish by connecting.

How do you vent a dryer that is far from the wall?

1:162:42Move Your Dryer Closer To The Wall #Gardus Dryer Vent Made Easy ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGonna have everything centered up then mount mount your piece to the wall. And once you have itMoreGonna have everything centered up then mount mount your piece to the wall. And once you have it mounted. Into the wall all you're gonna do is slide it into place and now your dryer is connected. Now.

How do you install a 90 degree dryer vent?

0:522:43Elbow Install - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen simply slide the B end of the elbow over your dryer exhaust port until it fits snugly. TheMoreThen simply slide the B end of the elbow over your dryer exhaust port until it fits snugly. The rubber o-ring on the inside of the elbow seals the elbow to the dryer exhaust port.

How long should my dryer vent hose be?

35 feetHow Long Should A Dryer Vent Be? A dryer vent should not exceed 35 feet in length. Furthermore, for every 45 degree turn of a dryer vent you should remove 2.5 feet in total allotted length.

Can you put foil tape dryer vent?

Dryer vents should be sealed with foil tape as they can withstand the high temperatures encountered during machine use. Other tapes, even duct tape, are susceptible to failure under the extreme heat. Non-foil tape can also catch on fire.

Is it better to vent a dryer up or down?

It's fine for the dryer vent to rise vertically to enter the building ceiling, but within the ceiling the vent should slope downwards towards its exit point at the building exterior wall.

How much room do you need behind a dryer for a vent?

Around six inches of space behind your washer and dryer is ideal. Space can be saved behind a dryer by installing a periscope dryer vent. This helps ventilate the areas quickly and thus allows the dryer to sit closer to the wall.

How do you vent a dryer that's not on the outside wall?

Install An Indoor Dryer Lint Trap Probably the most common way to vent a dryer without a vent to the outside is to use an indoor dryer lint trap. These lint traps are basically detachable filters that are installed at the end of the flex vent behind the dryer.

How many elbows can a dryer vent have?

two elbowsDepending on the location of your vent, you may require an elbow to connect to the vent hood duct. You may have two elbows back-to-back to get the run to line up the path from the dryer. Install a duct elbow onto the dryer, if necessary.

What kind of pipe should I use for dryer vent?

aluminum flexible ductDryer venting tips and practices Flexible transition hose between the dryer and the wall outlet should be either the foil type or the aluminum flexible duct (most preferred). Do not use the plastic or vinyl. Concealed ducting must be rigid metal (galvanized or aluminum) duct.

Can you use flexible duct for dryer vent?

Modern dryer heating elements are very powerful and can ignite the lint accumulated inside the plastic duct and the dryer, starting a house fire. You can use a 4-inch flexible aluminum foil duct that is UL 2158A listed and marked for safe dryer venting.

Can you pipe a dryer vent down and out?

Running your vent up or down or all around is allowed, but remember that the shorter the pipe length, the better off you are. If the total distance of your dryer vent is more than 35 feet, then you'll need a dryer booster fan to push the air and lint the rest of the way to the outside.

Why does my dryer hose keep falling off?

Why does my dryer hose keep falling off? Most likely the dryer hose keeps falling off because it is not secured properly. Be sure the hose clamp is in the correct placement and is secured. If any damage is found with the hose clamps or the vent hose, replace them as soon as possible.

How do you install a dryer vent hose with a clamp?

1:113:26Flex Duct Install Clamps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst you'll need to secure one end of the flexible foil duct to your dryer exhaust port. Slide theMoreFirst you'll need to secure one end of the flexible foil duct to your dryer exhaust port. Slide the clamp over the flexible foil duct. Then slide the duct over the dryer exhaust port.

Can you use flexible duct for dryer vent?

Modern dryer heating elements are very powerful and can ignite the lint accumulated inside the plastic duct and the dryer, starting a house fire. You can use a 4-inch flexible aluminum foil duct that is UL 2158A listed and marked for safe dryer venting.

Does a dryer have to be vented outside?

While dryers can be vented inside or outside, it is generally recommended to vent your dryer outside. Venting a dryer inside may increase the risk...

Semi rigid dryer duct vs. flexible

Semi rigid ducting is made of solid material wrapped in insulation that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, whereas flexible ducting is bendabl...

Replacing a dryer vent

Replacing an existing dryer vent follows the same steps as outlined above, along with the added step of removing the damaged or non-sealing dryer d...

How much does it cost to install a dryer vent?

The average cost to install a dryer vent varies based on location, materials used, placement and labor costs. To install a dryer vent yourself, the...

STEP 1: CLEAN VENTING SYSTEM

Small amounts of trapped lint in dryer venting are inevitable, so it’s best to get a fresh start by removing build-up to help enhance your dryer’s performance.

STEP 2: MEASURE OUTLET TO OUTLET

Using a measuring tape, measure the distance from the dryer’s exhaust to the location of the vent outlet grill on the exterior wall. Be sure to account for any twists and turns by measuring the exact path the venting will take, rather than cutting up or over diagonally with the measuring tape.

STEP 3: CHOOSE YOUR VENTING

Safely venting a dryer means choosing between rigid and flexible metal venting. We do not recommend other options like plastic or metal foil vents. Both flexible and rigid metal venting come in 4" diameter tubing and can effectively vent dryer exhaust, but each type has its own unique advantages and drawbacks that are worth considering.

STEP 4: TRIM VENTING

Your vent hose should be short, supported and have very little slack once it’s fully installed behind the dryer. If your ducting is long or snaking back and forth, use the measurements you took in step 2 to determine how much to trim for a snug fit.

STEP 5: ATTACH DRYER VENTING

Determine if you’ll use vent clamps or foil tape to secure the dryer venting to the dryer exhaust outlet and wall vent. Foil tape is the only kind of tape meant to withstand the heat dryer venting delivers during a cycle, so don’t settle for alternatives like duct tape.

STEP 6: REPOSITION THE DRYER

Carefully slide your dryer back into the desired location, guiding it to avoid causing kinks in the venting. Adjust the dryer until the venting is as straight and sturdy as possible.

How high should a dryer vent be?

Pro tip: Use no more than 25 feet. of 4-inch duct, and subtract 5 feet for every 90-degree turn and 2 1/2 feet for every 45-degree turn for dryer vent installation.

How far can a dryer run from the basement?

For example, a dryer with a 90-degree elbow at the exhaust port and another at the top of the basement wall can run a maximum of 15 feet. 2. Straight Path From the Basement. If the dryer is against an exterior wall that is not underground, run the duct straight out from the back of the dryer.

How to get rid of lint in dryer?

Check the vent cap frequently and brush out lint. At least once a year, snake a vacuum hose into the dryer duct to clean it. Tapping on the dryer duct while you do this will help knock off lint that’s stuck to the sides and joints. To avoid fires, vacuum lint from around dryer drums, burners and motors at the bottom of the cabinet.

Why pull vent cap apart?

Pull the vent cap and duct apart to make measuring easier.

Is a rigid vent better than a flexible vent?

These step-by-step directions walk you through the tough parts. Rigid metal vents are safer than flexible plastic and metal types, which catch more lint, require more cleaning and can retard airflow. Even worse, flexible ducts are easily crushed, which blocks airflow and causes the dryer to overheat, which in turn can lead to lint fires.

Can you vent a dryer through the roof?

If the dryer is an interior room of the house, vent through the attic to the roof.#N#Note: Vent a dryer through the roof only as a last resort. Cleaning lint buildup from roof vents is difficult, and nesting birds and squirrels often find roof vent caps irresistible.

What is the minimum clearance for a dryer vent?

The minimum clearance to the rear wall for this type of clothes dryer vent is 2 1/2".

What is the adhesive used on dryer vent joints?

The dryer vent joints are secured with foil tape.

What are the problems caused by improper dryer vents?

Also we explain and illustrate problems that result from improper dryer vent installation design, materials, routing, and filtering including dryer vent clogging, clothes dryer fire hazards, building moisture and mold problems, and increased clothes dryer operating costs due to poor or blocked dryer vents.

What is flex duct?

Flex-duct: plastic & wire flexible dryer vent duct (photo at above-left), a coil of spring wire covered with a thin, usually white, plastic. Although we have observed this material widely used in homes as "dryer vent ducting" it should not be used for that purpose.

Can a dryer vent hood be clogged?

Watch out: we have found serious and chronic lint clogging of louvered dryer exhaust vent hoods IF the hood uses multiple louvers that are small in width.

Can you use metal ductwork for dryer vents?

And we prefer rigid, solid metal dryer vent ducting wherever possible. An acceptable alternative that is nearly as effective is semi-rigid metal duct work, though we have found that that material is easily dented, crushed, or damaged.

Can you use rigid metal ducting for clothes dryer vents?

Watch out: Use rigid or semi-rigid metal dryer vent material

How long should a dryer vent be?

Your dryer vent should be no longer than 35 feet in length. This is because anything longer will not be efficient in venting the gases out of your home. It will most likely come back in through the dryer or other areas within the home, depending on what the vent is hooked to or through.

Why vent a dryer outside?

That is because lint is flammable. When a dryer is vented outside is vented outside, lint freely blows and effectively gets “out of the way.” While venting a dryer in the middle of the house, however, you won’t have the luxury of venting outside in every case. Instead, your best option is venting downward to the basement.

Why is venting important in a dryer?

No matter where your dryer is located, venting it is just as important as setting the dryer up itself. A dryer’s vent directs moisture and heat away from the dryer and out of the house. If you install a dryer without a vent, you run the risk of moisture building up, leading to mold, mildew, and water damage.

How to get rid of mold in a vent?

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. Keep in mind that venting in the middle of the house increases the risk of mold and mildew inside. That is because the moisture has nowhere to escape; it simply diffuses into the air.

How to attach a second periscope to a dryer?

Now, take the second periscope and attach them together by connecting the top open end of the second one to the open bottom end of the first one that is connected to the dryer.

Where is the laundry room in a dryer?

Some people don’t choose, as the ‘laundry room’ is in a middle hallway closet, tucked away from the exterior wall. When venting your dryer, make sure that you use two dryer vent periscopes. Sealing the periscope that is beneath the floor is vital so that there is no air leaking.

Is it safe to vent a dryer in the middle of the house?

While not as safe as venting a dryer using an exterior wall, venting a dryer in the middle of the house is safe if precautions are taken. If you need to vent a dryer in the middle of the house, the issue of lint becomes more of a problem than when using an exterior wall.

How Long is Too Long for a Dryer Vent?

The maximum distance that a dryer vent can run and still be effective is 35 feet, but shorter is always better. As a general rule, you should try to keep the total distance of your dryer vent under 25 feet. Just because you can run your vent 35 feet doesn’t mean that you should. There are several advantages to having a shorter dryer vent instead of a long one.

Can You Add Angles to a Dryer Vent?

Turns and twists are okay in your dryer vent. As long as you don’t create a trap, angles, or okay in a dryer vent, keep in mind that they add additional length to your vent. A trap is when you go up, then down, then back up again, and form a valley and a hill in the same vent line.

Can You Run a Dryer Vent Up?

As long as the total distance of the dryer vent doesn’t exceed 35 feet, you can run a dryer vent up. Dryers can vent in whatever direction is necessary because every situation is different.