DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

dryer venting too short?

18K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  Gary in WA 
#1 ·
Is it possible for ducting to be too short for venting a dryer in a cold northern environment?

I plan on having a stacking dryer on an exterior wall....can I duct straight out the wall from the dryer?

Thanks for all the help.

Regards,
Mike
 
#4 ·
Is it possible for ducting to be too short for venting a dryer in a cold northern environment?

I plan on having a stacking dryer on an exterior wall....can I duct straight out the wall from the dryer?

Thanks for all the help.

Regards,
Mike
No. You must have a back draft damper (you can find these at any home center) at the end of the exhaust. You would then attach your dryer venting apparatus to the damper assembly. If you where planning on running flexible duct through the wall that is also a code violation.

With regards to the first question; the shorter and straighter the vent run the better for the dryer and the easier it is to periodically clean the exhaust vent line.
 
#7 ·
Good point, ARI001! Check with your local Building Department. Some cold areas require 12" above ground for snow....
Be safe, Gary
 
#8 ·
I am assuming that you are refering to a standard dampered dryer vent cap on the outside of the house, which I think is obvious, but I guess you have seen it all and don't assume anything.

Can I use just regular smooth ducting like you would for your hvac system?

The other question is this main floor laundry stackables will be in a closet. Any ideas how I can hook up the vent and then put it in place as once the unit is in place there really isn't any access to the back for hook up.

Thanks for all the responses, I appreciate the help.

Mike
 
#9 ·
Can I use just regular smooth ducting like you would for your hvac system?
That is preferred over the flex duct. See Ari's post.

The other question is this main floor laundry stackables will be in a closet. Any ideas how I can hook up the vent and then put it in place as once the unit is in place there really isn't any access to the back for hook up.
Good question. I'd like to hear some ideas on this too.
 
#10 ·
I plan on having a stacking dryer on an exterior wall....can I duct straight out the wall from the dryer?
The other question is this main floor laundry stackables will be in a closet. Any ideas how I can hook up the vent and then put it in place as once the unit is in place there really isn't any access to the back for hook up.
If you are venting STRAIGHT out the wall I'd insert the pipe from the outside
Of course if this is the 2nd floor that might be tricky

OR put a longer pipe on, slowly push it back & thry the hole
-might need guidance from outside
then cut off the extra pipe from outside

OR a removeable long pipe attached to the exact size short pipe
Slide the unit in & then remove the longer pipe
 
#11 ·
I forgot how I did it, but I recall putting on an adapter kit for the dryer that diverted the exhaust 90 degrees.
I also remember the hole saw-it was just the right diameter and I think I went from the inside out after marking where the hole would go. There might have been a short section of the metallic flex-I'm not sure-I had farther to go than you did 'cause of the 90 degree turn. I did put some fiberglass insulation around the pipe. Maybe a piece of flex would work for you. It could stretch a little, you could put on the clamps, and then you could push the unit in place.
 
#12 ·
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top