Dryer Vents: How to Hook Upward and Install Dryer Vents

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

Time

A full 24-hour interval

Complexity

Intermediate

Cost

$51–100

Introduction

To speed up clothes drying and prevent lint build-up, install a polish metal dryer vent. These step-by-step directions walk you 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. Even worse, flexible ducts are easily crushed, which blocks airflow and causes the dryer to overheat, which in turn tin atomic number 82 to lint fires. In this story, we'll show you lot how to cut and install 4-inch rigid metal duct, including the toughest function—drilling the exit hole through an exterior wall.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • 4-in. duct
  • iv-in. elbows
  • Duct cap
  • Exterior caulk
  • Foil record
  • Pipe straps
  • Vent cap

Video: How to Install and Upgrade Your Dryer Vent

Project step-by-step (14)

Footstep i

Choose the Shortest Route for the Vent

one. From an Secret Basement

  • If your dryer is in the basement and the basement is underground, run duct up the outside wall and out the rim joist.
  • Set the vent a minimum of 12 inches to a higher place the outside ground.
    • Pro tip: Use no more than 25 feet. of 4-inch duct, and subtract 5 feet for every 90-degree plough and ii i/2 anxiety for every 45-degree plough for dryer vent installation. For example, a dryer with a 90-degree elbow at the exhaust 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 outside footing.
    • Note: This is the simplest, virtually ideal solution. The shorter the distance and fewer the turns the better for dryer vent installation.

How to Install Dryer Vents

3. Through the Attic to the Roof

  • If the dryer is an interior room of the firm, vent through the attic to the roof.
    • Note: Vent a dryer through the roof only equally a last resort. Cleaning lint buildup from roof vents is difficult, and nesting birds and squirrels often find roof vent caps irresistible.

How to Install Dryer Vents

Step 2

Become Shopping

  • One time yous've decided on a vent location and planned the dryer duct route, measure out the length of the run, allowing for bends.
  • Purchase plenty straight duct and fittings to complete the job, including an outdoor cap.
    • Pro tip: Utilise either galvanized steel (our choice) or aluminum duct, but don't mix parts.

Stride three

Drill a Test Pigsty in the Rim Joist

  • Mark the center of the rim joist and drill a exam pigsty with a 1/4-inch scrap.
  • Locate the hole outside and check for obstructions.
    • Pro tip: If the hole is a piddling depression or the cap doesn't sit in the all-time position on the siding, it'southward non likewise late to adjust it. If it's really wrong, you tin easily fill the hole and start over at a dissimilar location.

Pace 4

Adapt the Hole to Fit the Siding

  • Shift the hole so the superlative of the vent cap rests on the high point of the lap siding.
  • Pull the vent cap and duct autonomously to make measuring easier.

dryer vents

Stride five

Drill the Vent Hole in the Siding

  • Diameter a 4-1/4 inch hole with a hole saw.
    • Pro tip: Agree the drill level and steady. Pull the drill dorsum frequently to clear the sawdust and let the drill motor cool.

Stride half dozen

Drill Through the Rim Joist

  • Stop and pry out siding and sheathing from the saw as you become.
  • Go on your cutting through the rim joist.

dryer vents

Step 7

Install the Vent Cap

  • Insert the vent and screw the cap to the firm (predrill screw holes).
  • Push foam capitalist rod into deep gaps.
  • Caulk all around with acrylic caulk.

How to Mountain a Vent Cap on Vinyl Siding

There are ii skilful ways to install dryer vents through vinyl siding. The showtime is to install a vinyl surface mounting cake (shown here) that fits over the existing siding. You may demand to scribe and trim the edges to precisely fit your siding contour. Fasten the surface mounting block to the house with screws, merely think to drill slightly oversize holes through the vinyl to allow for siding movement.

The second method is to remove a section of siding and install a special vinyl mounting block (not shown) confronting the capsule. Cut the siding to fit effectually it. Both are available from vinyl siding dealers.

Holding cap over siding

How to Brand the Vent Pigsty in Stucco and Brick Veneer

Getting through stucco and brick requires different techniques and tools than for woods and vinyl. You'll need a masonry bit with a hammer drill for your pilot hole. So trace a iv-ane/two in. circle and drill a series of closely-spaced holes around the circumference with the one/4-in. masonry scrap and hammer drill. Intermission out the masonry with a cold chisel. Snip the wire mesh back if yous're chipping out stucco. Then drill through the forest sheathing and framing with a four-1/4 in. hole saw.

Chiseling the siding

Footstep 8

Cut the Vent to Length

  • Cut the straight sections to length with can snips before you snap the seams together.
    • Pro tip: Vesture leather gloves—the cut metal edges are abrupt.

Pace 9

Close the Seam on the Vent

  • Align the seam edges of the duct.
  • Working from one cease, push the edges downward slightly every bit y'all force them together.

Step x

Tape the Elbow Joints

  • First at the dryer and insert the crimped end of the first elbow into the starting time straight section.
  • Tape the joints with metal foil tape.

Step 11

Attach the First Vent Department

  • Slide the get-go fitting onto the dryer and push the dryer against the wall.
  • Measure, cut and get together the other duct sections.

Step 12

Install the Remaining Vent Sections

  • Slide the last elbow onto the straight section coming up the wall.
  • Push the crimped end of the elbow into the duct cap section and record it.

Step 13

Secure the Vent to the Wall with Straps

  • Anchor the duct to walls or ceilings every half dozen to eight anxiety with a piping strap.
    • Pro tip: Loop the strap around the duct; don't screw the strap to it.

Step 14

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. Bank check the vent cap frequently and castor out lint. At to the lowest degree once a year, snake a vacuum hose into the dryer duct to clean information technology. Tapping on the dryer duct while you do this volition help knock off lint that's stuck to the sides and joints. To avoid fires, vacuum lint from around dryer drums, burners and motors at the bottom of the chiffonier.