Dryer Vent Question

jlaky2000

Hello. I am hoping that someone can give some advice on running a dryer vent to the outside of my house. The previous owner vented the dryer into the garage, which appears to be putting a lot of moisture (and lint) onto the wooden structure of the garage roof. I plan to undertake a project to run the vent to the outside. Would it be better to go straight up through the garage roof above the current dryer vent (about 12 feet), or to the side of the house, which will require going through one interior wall, a closet and an exterior wall? My house has cedar tongue and grove siding.

Mike Warner

Just know where your studs, any electrical, and plumbing are. I have cedar shake and put my vent through the side of the house, with about a seven foot run. No ladder work, and you just need the right hole saw and some paintable caulk for your dryer vent. If all you have is a straight shot through drywall, plaster lathe, insulation, and siding, this is a good way to go. There are maximum dryer vent lengths here: http://www.applianceaid.com/vent-length.html


You'll have to pull the roofing back (shingles, felt paper, etc.) if you go up, so you can install proper metal flashing, black felt roofing paper over that, and then redo your your roof shingles. I had to do that with a leaking pluming vent, and it was a lot more work than the dryer vent. I also used some roofing tar.

Mike

jlaky2000

Thanks a lot Mike. I was worried about taking the "easy" path up to the roof.