Dryer Vents: How to Hook Up and Install Dryer Vents

How to install a rigid metal duct for a safer dryer.

Time

A full day

Complexity

Intermediate

Toll

$51–100

Introduction

To speed up clothes drying and foreclose lint build-up, install a smooth metal dryer vent. These stride-by-stride directions walk yous through the tough parts. Rigid metal vents are safer than flexible plastic and metallic types, which catch more lint, crave more cleaning and can retard airflow. Fifty-fifty worse, flexible ducts are easily crushed, which blocks airflow and causes the dryer to overheat, which in turn can lead to lint fires. In this story, nosotros'll show you how to cutting and install four-inch rigid metal duct, including the toughest office—drilling the leave pigsty through an exterior wall.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • 4-in. duct
  • four-in. elbows
  • Duct cap
  • Exterior caulk
  • Foil tape
  • Pipage straps
  • Vent cap

Video: How to Install and Upgrade Your Dryer Vent

Projection step-by-step (14)

Step 1

Choose the Shortest Route for the Vent

i. From an Secret Basement

  • If your dryer is in the basement and the basement is undercover, run duct upwards the exterior wall and out the rim joist.
  • Fix the vent a minimum of 12 inches to a higher place the exterior ground.
    • Pro tip: Utilize no more 25 anxiety. of 4-inch duct, and subtract 5 feet for every 90-degree plow and 2 1/2 feet for every 45-caste turn for dryer vent installation. For example, a dryer with a xc-degree elbow at the frazzle port and another at the top of the basement wall tin can run a maximum of 15 feet.

How to Install Dryer Vents

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.
  • Set the vent a minimum of 12 inches above the exterior ground.
    • Note: This is the simplest, near platonic solution. The shorter the distance and fewer the turns the amend for dryer vent installation.

How to Install Dryer Vents

iii. Through the Attic to the Roof

  • If the dryer is an interior room of the house, vent through the attic to the roof.
    • Note: Vent a dryer through the roof merely as a final resort. Cleaning lint buildup from roof vents is difficult, and nesting birds and squirrels ofttimes find roof vent caps irresistible.

How to Install Dryer Vents

Step 2

Go Shopping

  • Once you lot've decided on a vent location and planned the dryer duct route, measure out the length of the run, allowing for bends.
  • Buy enough directly duct and fittings to complete the job, including an outdoor cap.
    • Pro tip: Use either galvanized steel (our choice) or aluminum duct, only don't mix parts.

Step iii

Drill a Test Hole in the Rim Joist

  • Mark the centre of the rim joist and drill a test pigsty with a 1/4-inch flake.
  • Locate the hole outside and check for obstructions.
    • Pro tip: If the hole is a little low or the cap doesn't sit in the best position on the siding, information technology's non too tardily to suit information technology. If information technology's actually wrong, you tin can easily fill the hole and start over at a dissimilar location.

Step iv

Arrange the Pigsty to Fit the Siding

  • Shift the pigsty so the height of the vent cap rests on the high point of the lap siding.
  • Pull the vent cap and duct apart to make measuring easier.

dryer vents

Pace 5

Drill the Vent Hole in the Siding

  • Bore a iv-i/four inch hole with a pigsty saw.
    • Pro tip: Hold the drill level and steady. Pull the drill back often to clear the sawdust and permit the drill motor cool.

Step half dozen

Drill Through the Rim Joist

  • Stop and pry out siding and capsule from the saw as you go.
  • Go on your cut through the rim joist.

dryer vents

Stride 7

Install the Vent Cap

  • Insert the vent and screw the cap to the house (predrill screw holes).
  • Button cream capitalist rod into deep gaps.
  • Caulk all effectually with acrylic caulk.

How to Mountain a Vent Cap on Vinyl Siding

There are ii expert ways to install dryer vents through vinyl siding. The beginning is to install a vinyl surface mounting block (shown hither) that fits over the existing siding. You may need to scribe and trim the edges to precisely fit your siding contour. Fasten the surface mounting block to the house with screws, but retrieve to drill slightly oversize holes through the vinyl to allow for siding motility.

The second method is to remove a section of siding and install a special vinyl mounting block (not shown) against the sheathing. Cutting the siding to fit around it. Both are available from vinyl siding dealers.

Holding cap over siding

How to Make the Vent Pigsty in Stucco and Brick Veneer

Getting through stucco and brick requires different techniques and tools than for wood and vinyl. You'll demand a masonry bit with a hammer drill for your pilot hole. Then trace a iv-i/2 in. circle and drill a serial of closely-spaced holes around the circumference with the one/iv-in. masonry bit and hammer drill. Interruption out the masonry with a cold chisel. Snip the wire mesh back if you're chipping out stucco. Then drill through the forest sheathing and framing with a 4-ane/iv in. hole saw.

Chiseling the siding

Pace eight

Cut the Vent to Length

  • Cut the straight sections to length with tin can snips before y'all snap the seams together.
    • Pro tip: Wear leather gloves—the cut metal edges are sharp.

Pace 9

Close the Seam on the Vent

  • Align the seam edges of the duct.
  • Working from 1 terminate, push the edges down slightly every bit you force them together.

Stride 10

Tape the Elbow Joints

  • Get-go at the dryer and insert the crimped cease of the start elbow into the first straight section.
  • Tape the joints with metal foil tape.

Step 11

Attach the Showtime Vent Section

  • Slide the get-go plumbing fixtures onto the dryer and push the dryer against the wall.
  • Measure, cut and assemble the other duct sections.

Step 12

Install the Remaining Vent Sections

  • Slide the final elbow onto the straight department coming up the wall.
  • Push the crimped finish of the elbow into the duct cap section and tape it.

Step 13

Secure the Vent to the Wall with Straps

  • Anchor the duct to walls or ceilings every six to 8 feet with a pipe strap.
    • Pro tip: Loop the strap effectually the duct; don't screw the strap to it.

Step xiv

Turn on the Dryer

  • Plug the dryer in and turn it on.
  • Check outside to make sure the vent flap is opening.

A Note on Cleaning

Lint buildup reduces dryer efficiency, which means clothes accept longer to dry. 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 yous do this will assistance knock off lint that'southward stuck to the sides and joints. To avoid fires, vacuum lint from effectually dryer drums, burners and motors at the lesser of the cabinet.