Properly Venting a Dryer

Properly venting a dryer is an important task that fulfills a couple of roles in the home. Not only does a properly vented dryer allow for a more comfortable feeling within the laundry room, but also reduces the chance of accidental fires or other damage. All you need to do is follow this these simple directions to ensure your dryer is properly vented.

1. Get the materials. The first step in properly venting a dryer is to get the proper materials for the job. Typically you will need four inch diameter vent pipe that is solid, not plastic or foil spiral wrapped collapsible piping. Additionally you will need joints for the vent pipe, and tin snips to cut everything, foil duct tape to help join everything, at least one sheet of three inch, foil-backed insulation, a reciprocating saw, and a roof or wall vent fitting. Don't forget to grab your tape measure as well.
2. Measure at least twice. If you don't already have your dryer roughly in the location of where you want it to be, place it there. With the dryer in place, grab your tape measure and measure from the dryer vent hole to where you want the pipe to exit the wall or roof. Ideally you will want the path to be as straight as possible to avoid excessive work. Get measurements at least twice to ensure that you have as accurate measurements as possible.
3. Begin cutting. Using your measurements, begin cutting the metal vent piping to fit the measurements you wrote down earlier. As you cut each piece of metal piping, place it where it will be going so that you can ensure you get all the pieces you need.
4. Drill where necessary. If you don't already have one, cut or drill an exit hole for the pipe in the wall or roof. When you cut or drill the hole, make sure that you are being careful not to cut through any wiring or pipes. In fact, it would be best if you actually shut off the power to that area while you are working so you don't accidentally get electrocuted if you do cut any wires. With the exit hole cut, begin installing the vent fitting to provide proper seals and protections against creepy crawly bugs.
5. Start installing. Begin installing the pipes you cut earlier, using the joints and the foil tape to connect and seal the pipes. Start at the dryer, working your way towards the vent opening in the wall.

As you are installing the pipes, make small adjustments as you go along. This means that you move the dryer into its final position, without forcing it. If you force the move you can end up damaging either the exterior vent, dryer vent, or even the dryer itself. When you have everything where you want it, go ahead and begin cleaning up your mess. You have now properly vented your dryer.