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Rerouting my dryer vent

16K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  bl34 
#1 ·
Hi everyone! My family recently moved, and our dryer vents into the garage. It's a first floor dryer. It's dumping moisture and dirty air into the garage. I want to change this.

One option is to route the vent into the basement, run it 18 feet along the floor, and then up and out through the brick wall. That's the shortest run. Another option is to go up through the garage roof, along the attic floor, and then out through the roof overhang. I could also go out from the attic through the roof. Any thoughts on what might be best, or have any other ideas? If I take it down through the floor, would it be best to go into the wall and down (to allow me to push the dryer closer to the wall) or just go from the dryer into the floor? Any help would be appreciated
 
#4 ·
I'd vent it where it would require the least amount of effort on your part. Through the eves would be easy I would think. I wouldn't go through the roof unless you're capable of repairing shingles/roof. Our vent goes through the rim joist (outer joist) on our house.
 
#8 ·
Maybe this quick sketch will explain it better.

I really wanted to avoid having the exposed vent in the garage by the door, which is why I thought taking it down into the basement (through the laundry room floor) and then up through a wall (other than the garage wall) might work best. Thanks for all the help.
 

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#12 ·
M1502.4.4.2 Manufacturer's instructions. The size and maximum length of the exhaust duct shall be determined by the dryer manufacturer's installation instructions. The code official shall be provided with a copy of the installation instructions for the make and model of the dryer at the concealment inspection. In the absence of fitting equivalent length calculations from the clothes dryer manufacturer, Table M1502.4.4.1 shall be used. From: http://publicecodes.citation.com/icod/irc/2009/icod_irc_2009_15_sec002_par009.htm

M1502.4.4.1 Specified length. The maximum length of the exhaust duct shall be 25 feet (7620 mm) from the connection to the transition duct from the dryer to the outlet terminal. Where fittings are used, the maximum length of the exhaust duct shall be reduced in accordance with Table M1502.4.4.1.

TABLE M1502.4.4.1 DRYER EXHAUST DUCT FITTING EQUIVALENT LENGTH


DRYER EXHAUST DUCT FITTING TYPE EQUIVALENT LENGTH 4 inch radius mitered 45 degree elbow 2 feet 6 inches 4 inch radius mitered 90 degree elbow 5 feet 6 inch radius smooth 45 degree elbow 1 foot 6 inch radius smooth 90 degree elbow 1 foot 9 inches 8 inch radius smooth 45 degree elbow 1 foot 8 inch radius smooth 90 degree elbow 1 foot 7 inches 10 inch radius smooth 45 degree elbow 9 inches 10 inch radius smooth 90 degree elbow 1 foot 6 inches
From: http://publicecodes.citation.com/icod/irc/2009/icod_irc_2009_15_sec002_par008.htm
Well, the chart didn't make it, use the link.

Gary
 
#14 ·
Great infor in that first length.

I have a similar problem where the dryer is in the garage and simply vented with no vent directly in the garage. You can imagine the nasty falling drywall that was behind the dryer, with a light mold on it.

All is removed now, but I need to run a vent outdoor. I had not thought about the soffit before and was debating whther or not I needed to hire someone to put a vent through the roof. But now that you mention it, I think the soffit might be the perfect place to vent without putting a hole in the roof.

My first thought was to Y it into the water heater vent, but, seems a very quick recipe for a large fire!
 
#16 ·
your problem in reverse

Hey rowlander,

I have your problem in reverse (kind of). I have a dryer vent that exits my house into the garage and then it runs outside. When the builder built the house (KB HOMES), they didn't want to go through the walls our up and out so they popped out into the garage. They then built a drywall enclosed extension to the wall 2 feet tall to match the platform that the water heater sits on. It sticks out 6 inches or so so that the ducting going to the outside is not visible. This may be what you want to do to cover it up. I have not opened it up yet, but Im sure the ducting is running along the floor and there is some light framing and then drywall over the top.

I will be taking mine down so that the 20' long garage is actually 20' and my truck will fit in all the way.

I will try and snap a picture tonight when I get home and post it so that you can use the idea if you would like. This is 2 months after your last post so I am sure your wife has already made you cover it up. LOL
 
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