Need a new dryer vent

[RollTideRam]

We just bought a new washer and dryer. These are the horizontal kind and my wife wants to stack them to give us some more room in our small house. I'll keep the washer in the same spot, but have to move the dryer. I figure I'll have to move the plug, but I'm not sure what I'm getting into with the dryer vent. I currentyly have the cheap expandable pipe and would like to move up to pvc hard pipe. Does anyone have any suggestions on doing this project? Thanks, JC

 

[Egon]

I would assume you locate the area the vent will go. Then check the area for studs, hidden wire or pipe etc. Make your cut out and insert the vent casing and fasten it down making sure it is weather tight.
Next cut and fit the pipe required. Do not glue anything till it fits to your satisfaction. I would assume the dryer and vent casing ends could be slip on for cleaning or dryer removal.

Do not do anything until all locations are approved by the wife!!

 

[Bird]

Dryer vents have some pretty hot air blowing through them, although I doubt that it's hot enough to do any damage, since expandable vinyl ductwork used to be common. Now it's expandable aluminum I think. I suppose you could use PVC, but I certainly wouldn't. Instead, you can get 4" thin, but rigid, aluminum pipe, or duct, and that's what I'd use. It's basically about the same as the piece sticking out the back of the dryer.

 

[randy41]

i think PVC is not advisable to use for dryer vents. a static charge can build up inside causing the lint to stick to the pipe and eventually clogging it.

 

[MikePA]

We just bought a new washer and dryer. These are the horizontal kind and my wife wants to stack them to give us some more room in our small house. I'll keep the washer in the same spot, but have to move the dryer. I figure I'll have to move the plug, but I'm not sure what I'm getting into with the dryer vent. I currentyly have the cheap expandable pipe and would like to move up to pvc hard pipe. Does anyone have any suggestions on doing this project? Thanks, JC

As Bird pointed out, and as I discovered as well, the dryer vent gets REALLY hot. Hot enough you can't hold it. Do NOT use PVC.

They make both rigid and flexible METAL pipe for dryer vents as well as a metal device that allows the dryer to get real close to the wall. A stop at your local hardware or big box store will provide plenty of ideas.

 

[RollTideRam]

My wife says I spend way too much time on here. She thinks all I study is tractors. I continue to learn from people that know. To me, this place is like home school. Thanks for the advice. JC

 

[randy41]

better to hang out here than at the local watering hole.....

 

[Diesel-ME]

You can use 4" stove/duct pipe (galvanized). Just don't use screws as anything that sticks into the pipe will collect lint. Rivet or duct tape the sections together. Just remember that for every 90 degree elbow you loose the equivilent of 5' of run. Or rather you add 5' to the run when you calculate a reasonable max run.

At my house, for example, I have a long run with several 90 degree elbows. I use an inline dryer fan to keep the dryer working at peak efficiency. I would not worry about any of this if you are just talking about a few extra feet and one elbow....

~paul

 

[woodchuckie]

My house was built using the PVC pipe in 1979. The standard flexible pipe from the dryer to the wall then the pvc the rest of the way.

 

[MikePA]

You can use 4" stove/duct pipe (galvanized).

FWIW, my local Ace hardware has both dryer pipe and stove/duct pipe. The stove/duct pipe is considerably more expensive.