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Clothes dryer vents always vent directly to the outside of the house because the air that comes out of the clothes dryer is a combination of heat, moisture, and fine lint. Several types of vent materials, including flexible plastic that is generally the easiest to install, will do the job, but noncombustible metal duct is best for fire protection and required by most building codes. Dryers heat with electricity or with natural gas. If you have a natural-gas dryer, it is important to make sure that the vent system is up to code.
Carefully plan the installation of the vent because a clogged dryer vent can be a fire hazard (see below) when lint builds up and prevents the escape of air. For this reason, dryer vents should be routed the shortest possible distance from the dryer to the outside of the house (Fig. 1). To cut down blockages inside a vent, position the outlet at the same level as the dryer's vent, and avoid sharp bends in the line and circuitous routes from inlet to outlet. In basements, route dryer hoses to vent above the foundation sill, so that you drill through wood instead of masonry. Where vents may be unsightly on the outside of the house, you can hide them behind shrubbery. But do not use long, twisting lengths of vent tubing only for cosmetic reasons. Also, do not vent the dryer directly into the laundry room, even on winter's coldest days. You might save a little heat, but the open vent will deposit gallons of water vapor and a cloud of lint into the air.
Fire Warning
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 14,000 fires related to clothes dryers occur every year. A main cause is the buildup of lint in the dryer filter or vent line. To help prevent a fire, heed the following suggestions: Clean the lint filter before or after drying every load of laundry. Make sure the exterior vent outlet and the cover flap are not clogged. If the dryer runs hot, disconnect the vent and check for and remove hidden clogs. To trap less lint, use smooth-wall duct instead of ridged material. Check the dryer manufacturer's instructions; many UL-rated machines require metal vent duct, not plastic. In addition, install a smoke detector and fire extinguisher in the laundry room.
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1.
Make a Hole for the Vent Line
From the inside, locate the spot for the vent line between studs, and draw a hole the diameter of the vent line; then cut it, using a saber saw. Transfer the shape of the cut through to the outside wall by drilling a few small holes along the line. Then cut a hole in the outside wall using the small holes as guidelines. (Fig. 2)
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2.
Install the Vent Cover
Install trim around the outer hole, and then install the vent cover, its pipe going through the hole and into the house. (Fig. 3)
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3.
Connect the Duct to the Vent Cover Pipe
Inside the house, fit one end of the flexible duct over the vent cover pipe. (Fig. 4)
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4.
Connect the Duct to the Dryer Outlet
Fit the other end of the duct over the dryer outlet. Fasten both ends of the duct using clamps. (Fig. 5)
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