Need a new dryer vent

[Bird]

Rivet or duct tape the sections together.

They also make some collars or unions or whatever you want to call them to join the sections of dryer pipe together. The only reason I know that for sure is that I have two elbows and those unions that the prior owner of this place left when I bought the place 2 years ago.

 

[Podunkadunk]

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.

Using fabric softener, i.e., dryer sheets and the kind you add to the wash will do the same thing, no matter what material you make it out of.

PVC pipe, schedule 40, works good last long time. Of course I don't have PVC pipe to the back of the dryer...I have that flexible slinky metal ducting. After it though, it's PVC all the way, about a 30 foot run in the crawl space and out a hole in a concrete block. It's capped off with a one way check valve and screen to keep the critters out.

Once a year I pull out the leaf blower (electric type), bring it in the house, undo the dryer, move the dryer out of the way and put 160mpg worth of air down the PVC for a minute or so. NO problems with lint yet, even with my wife using fabric softeners.

Yet another option:

The good thing about PVC pipe is you can install "traps" every so often using a 90 degree bend. Install a threaded insert at the bottom...voila' you have a lint trap. Easy to install with a little creativity and a run to Orange Depot or Blowes.

 

[dirt clod]

One of the most important things to dry in a reasonable amount of time is the venting. A small blockage will make a larger differance.The pvc pipe is smaller inside than the metal pipe and tends to clog.

The best is a section of flex metal foil hose behind dryer so it can be moved with out breaking pipe hooked to smooth metal vent pipe with a vent cover plastic vent cover that has a full 4" opening (most do not). If the vent cover has a screen inside it take it out. A flapper that fully opens on the cover is all thats needed the screens will clog. Try to prevent any dips in venting as the water will condense in these and dryers do not have enough force to blow out. In some places where it could not be helped I've had to install a tiny hole where it would stay drained and not damage anything. Also having poor air flow makes for soot on clothing on gas dryers and part failures of limit thermos as well as putting strain on the blower. In multi-houseing and single dewelling homes a lot of service calls are the result of poor venting. In comercial both coin and on premis laundry's the tumblers are normally vented with metal vent pipe with a turned down elbow on the outside to prevent clogs and for free flow. This works well for a home dryer also but may allow some cold or hot air to enter home.

 

[QRTRHRS]

If your vent has a really long run, you can add a fan to assist the airflow.

I have one made by Fantech. It has a barometric damper so it comes on when it senses the dryer working then runs for ten minutes once the dryer stops.

High winds will trigger the damper motor to run also. It has not bothered me enough to add a switch somewhere handy to the dryer.

Fantech fans by the way have a plastic housing.

 

[kenmac]

PVC pipe, plastic flex, isn't recommended nor is it code for dryer vent.Only metel hard pipe or metal flex. It should tell you in the install . instructions how long of a vent run you can have. If you use hard metal pipe don't screw the pipe together as the screws will catch lint. Use metal tape on the joints

 

[randy41]

use a clothes line.