How to Vent a Residential Dryer

Measure the amount of distance between your dryer and your venting exit point. This is how many feet of duct to buy. Note how many turns the duct will need to make, and purchase that number of 90-degree fittings. Remember that your venting exit point must be at least 1 foot above ground level, and that your path shouldn't be longer than 25 feet, with 5 feet subtracted for every 90-degree turn.

Drill a hole through the wall in the area you'll install the vent. This step is to test for obstructions. Look for the hole outside, and check for obstructions there, too.

Bore a 4¼-inch diameter hole into your designated and tested venting exit point, using your bi-metal hole saw on your drill. Start the hole outside of the house. Brace the drill against your leg to help keep it steady, and pull it out frequently to avoid overheating the tool.

Install your vent's cap by screwing it over the hole you just drilled. Caulk around any gaps.

Cut away excess length from a straight section of duct using your tin snips. Construct the entire length of your duct by snapping the seams together. Start at the dryer. Attach one end of your duct work to your dryer's exhaust point, which is at the back of the dryer. The pieces should fit together snugly.

Cover the seams between your 90-degree fittings and your straight lengths with metal foil tape. Connect the last piece of metal duct to the cap you installed earlier. Every 5 feet, attach the metal duct work to the wall using metal pipe straps and screws.

Plug in your dryer and turn it on to test your work.