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How to vent dryer in 2x4 wall?

30K views 29 replies 11 participants last post by  Thurman  
#1 ·
I need to vent my dryer in a 2x4 wall in my basement. I need to go approx 8' high to get above the concrete to vent out.

Suggestions? It will be going to the right of this window in that stud bay.

I'll get a better picture tonight.

 
#5 ·
Sheetmetal rectangular duct is what has to be used. That means getting a local hvac shop to make it per your spec's.

It does not matter about he link, what matters is the IRC and fire codes.

I would not use that duct from the Home Depot link. Fer a drawing and the dimensions, or rip out that wall in make it a 2x6. Especially if you are putting in plumbing for a washer.
 
#8 ·
I would definetly use metal as was recommended .Would also make sure there is a ground wire attached.I've have three friends places burn even with metal.
Best thing with any is to make sure you have a regular cleaning schedule.
I'm not one of "those kinds of people". Just sean to many things happen from lint buildup and inproper materials and installs.
 
#9 ·
PVC outlawed many, many years ago... smooth metal is required; pp.7 Exhaust systems- gas or electric; http://www.codecheck.com/cc/ccimages/PDFs/CC6th_Sample.pdf

Even the short periscope is bad. Building a round to rectangular duct will stop more wet lint and create air turbulence; http://www.dryerbox.com/ratings/dryerfittingschart.htm

Will you be adding builders paper to the frame wall, on concrete side, or SPF?

Will you be adding foil-faced foam board to the exterior rim joists? Could you still add a vapor barrier under the frame walls near the concrete perimeter to stop capillary wicking; http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com....com/blogs/dept/building-science/pressure-treated-sill-plates-and-building-code Where are you located?

Gary
 
#15 ·
Maybe not available in all areas due to local codes: In my area a contractor can go to the local HVAC supply store and buy rectangular sheet metal ducting that goes into a wall before sheet rock is applied. Within my county a homeowner cannot purchase from an HVAC supply house. Plumbing-yes, electrical-yes, but not HVAC, go figure. There is an inlet at the bottom and and outlet at the top which can be moved to either side, not end-to-end. There are NO screws within these purchased units and tabs are provided for installation so that no screws penetrate the duct. I don't know the rating tags that I have seen on these but I do know a UL/FM tag when I see one and they are on there.
 
#18 ·
Gregzoll: Not going to get into a pissing match with you as you know more than us all for sure.Simply stating that the fire marshall in my little Podunk town stated the fires were caused by dryer vent fires .I don't have a clue what caused them.The town is not Springfield but Mattoon.You can look up the fire that caused Burnham Neils death if you wish.Owner of Neil Tires,
I have never seen a dryer with a 4 prong plug.It's true that a dryer would be grounded by it's duct thru the machine .It's also true that lint going thru the pipe will build up a static charge that can be disapated by a ground wire.Never said it was code or stated by any official .Just a good idea IMHO.
 
#23 ·
Mattoon I can believe that. They are too desperate for money, so the city will do anything to collect.

At least here they have a bit more common sense.

I have an idiot behind me who is a pyro and has to have a fire in his fire pit every day, even when he is gone. Last time we called the fire dept. on him for a Bonfire, he called the police for harassment, even though I had the crew on my sude, since I know the lead that was on duty that night.
 
#25 ·
Mattoon I can believe that. They are too desperate for money, so the city will do anything to collect.

At least here they have a bit more common sense.

I have an idiot behind me who is a pyro and has to have a fire in his fire pit every day, even when he is gone. Last time we called the fire dept. on him for a Bonfire, he called the police for harassment, even though I had the crew on my sude, since I know the lead that was on duty that night.
Have to agree with that Greg.It's a different world here.
GOt rained out yesterday and had a few beers with the boys .Hope you didn't take any of my comments to seriously.Just one of those days.
Are you in Springfield? Used to do a lot of business with Jame's Machinery but it's been awhile.
 
#26 ·
No I do not. Illinois arguments are like the weather here. Everyone changes their position as quick as the weather changes.

We had a farm get hit on the far west side. Also had a substation go boom. Supposedly it was a Tornado.

Ten years to the day, was when we got the two in a row. The joke is that last night's was caused by the election upset.

I live on the near west side on W. Jefferson. James is only a couple of blocks away from me.
 
#29 ·
I cannot see any reason not to use rivets, as long as you can get them to grab and not get pulled out. Just wrap with the Aluminum tape. The screws are just a PITA. I hate trying to deal with them in tight places.

As for the Fire Marshals, they all want no one to burn anything down, but they never realize that that also takes away job security. If no buildings caught on fire, there would only be medical emergencies and no need for a bunch of Smoke Eaters and stations, doing nothing.

My thing about the grounding, is that it is hard to get a ground point ran, if you are dealing with a building on a slab, apartment, condo or finished. In commercial operations it is a given. In homes it is one of those things you really have to plan when you are running wiring.

The sad thing is with all of the plastic that they are putting into washers and dryers these days, there is not much to ground, other then the vent pipe, since it used to use the actually metal of the duct that was screwed to the chassis of the dryer, that would bond it to the Electric Neutral or ground point.

I need to take mine apart, since it sounds like it has one of those darn air soft balls inside at the blower. Just have not been able, since my son is off at school.
 
#30 ·
@SeniorSitizen: The way I found out about the sheet metal ducting that fits into the wall was that I was called out to clean one. After I did that one the neighbor wanted theirs cleaned. I found out that the HVAC supply house sold a 4" brush, sort of ball shaped, and the bristles were of medium strength. The brush is made onto a sort of spring material which is about six feet long and on the other end is an eye to tie a string onto. One person can clean the duct work by attaching vacuum to one end, insert the brush into the other end and work it back and forth while rotating.