DIY Vent Dryers

Determine which path the duct will run. Place your dryer in the desired location and find the shortest, easiest path to the exterior. Try to ensure the path is as short as possible with as few turns as possible. Never run a vent for a dryer farther than 25 feet. Any 90-degree elbow used counts as 5 feet in the total 25 feet. The vent for the dryer should run up to the wood frame at the top of the basement wall. Ensure you run the vent for the dryer at least 12 inches from the ground, any kind of window, obstruction or electrical service.

Use the electric drill with a 1/4-inch drill bit to drill a test hole through the wood frame to the exterior.

Go outside and check to see if the hole is in the right position. If the hole is too low or is not otherwise in the correct position, adjust the location of the hole accordingly.

Use the hole saw with the hole saw bit to drill the hole through the wood and exterior of your home. Take your time and go slowly. Use two hands to firmly hold the hole saw and push evenly on the drill so the bit cuts into the wood evenly.

Measure the amount of 4-inch pipe needed to hold the vent cap, go through the wall to the basement and mount a 90-degree elbow to.

Cut a piece of 4-inch pipe to that size using tin snips and insert it into the hole. If you have vinyl siding, you can use a vinyl mounting block to secure the pipe on the exterior of your home. Simply place the mounting block over the pipe and it should snap into place on the siding.

Attach the vent cap to the exterior of the pipe using the screwdriver and screws.

Install a 90-degree elbow onto the back of the dryer.

Measure from the 90-degree elbow at the top of the basement to the 90-degree elbow at the back of the dryer.

Cut a piece of 4-inch pipe to this length using the tin snips. Ensure you wear heavy gloves during this as the pipe can cut through skin.

Line up the seam edges of the duct, force the edges together and push them down slightly while pressing the edges together. Work from one end of the pipe to the other.

Remove the elbow joints from the basement ceiling and the back of the dryer.

Join the elbows to the pipe using the aluminum foil top. Wrap the tape around the joints until they are securely together.

Slide the bottom portion of the pipe into the dryer exhaust port at the back of the dryer. Push the dryer against the wall.

Slide the elbow at the top of the pipe into the straight section coming from the wall. Tape the joints together using the aluminum foil tape. Ensure they are joined securely.

Secure the pipe strapping around the pipe and into the wall with the screwdriver and screws.