Dryer Vent

Do you ever wonder what happens between your dryer and the vent outside?

We are in the utility installing phase of the Momplex. We are starting with who has the biggest pipes and working our way down to the smallest. First up, we installed 6" diameter piping for the ventilation system. To get the ceiling insulated to hold heat, we've already installed bathroom and kitchen vents as well.

Next up is the dryer vent.

And of course, since this is the Momplex, we gotta do everything twice. Otherwise one Mom will say, Oh no, I don't need a dryer, save it for the other Mom. And the other will say the same thing and we'll end up with two clotheslines out the front of the Momplex.

Momplex

Step 1 Diagram

Step 1

Dryer vent pipe is 4" in diamenter, which is still too wide to go through a 2x4 interior wall. It has to be squished a little to get through the studs.

Step 2 Diagram

Step 2 Instructions

We use a smaller hole saw bit to drill two holes instead of just one.

Step 3 Diagram

Step 3 Instructions

The Ram's wood eating machine to the rescue.

Step 4 Diagram

Step 4 Instructions

And the second hole is drilled right next to the first.

Step 5 Diagram

Step 5 Instructions

Then we just need to connect to the dots.

Step 6 Diagram

Step 6 Instructions

The best tool we found for this is the sawsall. It can reach in pretty tight places and since pretty isn't top priority here, it does the job quickly.

Step 7 Diagram

Step 7 Instructions

Ah, look he made me a heart!

Step 8 Diagram

Step 8 Instructions

Pipe fits!

Step 9 Diagram

Step 9 Instructions

We've got one dryer vent stubbed through.

Step 10 Diagram

Step 10 Instructions

Down below the Ram pushes the pipe up, and it's my job to line the pipe up into the dryer vent box.

Step 11 Diagram

Step 11

The pipe has to go back to circular from oblong to fit in the dryer vent box opening. I know, I'm trying to make my job actually seem difficult ... it is not.

Step 12 Diagram

Step 12

One down ... or should I say up? We've still got the downstairs to do.

Step 14 Diagram

Step 14

Downstairs the pipe is stubbed out. Notice that the stubbed out end is crimped? That's because with a dryer, you have to run the pipes so the crimped end always fits inside the smooth end as air (and lint) travels outward. If you don't, lint will build up and best case scenario is your dryer runs inefficiently. Worst case scenario you've got a lint fire.

Step 15 Diagram

Step 15

So we've already got a problem. Where we've stubbed out the dryer vent to the outside wall, the pipe has the crimped end out.

So we have to cut the crimped end off.

Much better, no lint magnet here!

From the exterior vent, we will run ducting to the piped stubbed down from upstairs. The first pipe is connected to the exterior vent.

We'll need to support the pipe on this long of a run.

To support the pipe, boards are screwed to the joist under the pipe.

And then we can just connect the stubbed down pipe to the ducting run to the exterior vent.

And then tape everything up.

Uh, did I say tape?

Ever possible spot where air could leak gets taped up.

Dryer vents, check.

So what's left?

Next we will finish up any drains. Then we'll run central vac if we decide to go that route. And then it's water supply lines. And I do believe that's it for pipes, with the exception of the heat system. After that we'll be running wire.

So how does your dryer vent? Do you have problems with it? Or have you never had to even think about it because it never causes any problems?