Types of Air Vents for Dryers

Wall Vent

• Venting your dryer through a nearby wall is the preferred method of creating a dryer vent. Typically, if your dryer is located in the basement, then the vent will run up the closest wall and vent out a foot or more above ground level. For a dryer located above the basement, the vent should run straight out the nearest wall whenever possible. As a general rule, your duct should be no longer than 25 feet; however, if the duct must turn, then you should subtract 5 feet for every 90-degree turn. A duct that must make two 90-degree bends, in other words, can only be 15 feet long.

Roof Vent

• Roof vents should only be used when a wall vent is not an option. If, for example, you have a dryer located in an interior room of your home and the distance to the nearest wall is over 25 feet, then a roof vent may be necessary. Lint must be regularly cleaned from your dryer vent, which is difficult on a roof vent. If you must use a roof vent, be sure to install a roof vent cap to help prevent birds and other animals from entering the vent.

Types of Ducting

• There are four basic materials for dryer vent ducting. Rigid metal ducting is preferred because it cannot bend, which decreases the chance of lint becoming clogged inside the ducting. Flexible metal ducting can also be used but increases the chance of lint build-up. Both flexible thin foil and flexible plastic ducting can be purchased; however, they are not recommended, as they increase both the risk of lint build-up and fire.

Considerations

• Never vent a dryer into an attic, wall or crawl space. Your dryer pulls a significant amount of moisture out of each load of laundry it dries. Venting into an attic, wall or crawl space can create a breeding ground for mold, which is a serious health threat to the occupants of your home. In addition, make sure you clean out your dryer vent on a regular basis to prevent lint build-up, which can increase drying time and eventually result in a fire.