How to Run a Dryer Vent Through Studs

When venting your dryer, sometimes you need to run the vent pipe horizontally through some wall studs before turning vertically to enter the ceiling or attic space. This is especially common if your dryer shares a common wall with a bathroom, since the wall may be filled with plumbing pipes. For this to work, the wall needs to be constructed with at least 2-by-6-inch boards. Walls that use 2-by-4-inch boards are too narrow, as dryer venting is 4 inches in diameter.

Tape measure
4 1/4-inch hole saw
Drill
4-inch galvanized vent pipe
4-inch galvanized elbows
Snips
Pipe crimper
Foil tape
Vent cap
Caulk
Caulk gun
Pipe hanger strap
Screws
Nuts and bolts
Adjustable wrenches

Instructions

- 1
  Decide at what height you will install the dryer venting through the studs. Mark the center of each stud at that height.
- 2
  Place the center of your hole saw on the mark of the first stud. Apply firm pressure and turn on the drill. Drill through the stud.
- 3
  Drill each successive stud at the indicated marks. Discard the cores.
- 4
  Install the dryer venting from the dryer, through the studs and up into the ceiling or attic space. Measure each required piece of dryer venting and cut it to length with your snips. Crimp one end of each length of vent pipe that does not already have a crimped end. Connect by sliding a crimped end of one piece into a non-crimped end of the next piece and secure the seam with foil tape. Use elbows to make the necessary twists and turns.
- 5
  Drill a hole through the exterior of your home with your drill and hole saw. Secure the vent cap to the exterior of your home with four screws and caulk around its perimeter with silicone or other waterproof caulk.
- 6
  Install the dryer venting from where you left off in Step 4 to the vent cap. Support the pipe every 5 feet with pipe hanger strap. Cut it to length, screw one end into a roof joist or truss, wrap the other end around the dryer vent and bolt together using the predrilled holes.

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