“Oh no, the clothes aren’t dry. Again!”
There are few things for homeowners more frustrating than going to get clothes out of the dryer and finding them still damp. This issue usually stems from poor ventilation of the dryer ductwork. Sometimes fixing the problem is as simple as cleaning out the duct, but in some cases, it is better to reroute the dryer duct to create a shorter run.
The International Residential Code suggests that dryer duct runs should be as short and straight as possible and not exceed 35-feet. So, what are you to do if you live in a home where your dryer run is longer than the maximum length? That is a perfect time to call me in to reroute your dryer duct and improve your efficiency.
What’s involved with new duct work
I was recently called by a customer who had problems with wet clothes. Upon inspection, we found their duct run was close to 50-feet and the dryer just couldn’t push enough air through the system to properly vent. As a result, lint would build up in the duct and the dryer simply couldn’t keep up. The solution in this instance was to put a new duct through the exterior wall that shortened the entire run to about 10-feet.
The process to put in new duct work is fairly straightforward: find a spot that will accommodate a 4.5-inch hole for the duct, cut the hole in the wall, run the new duct, mount and weather seal the new vent, and reconnect the dryer. The challenge arises when you take into account the type of wall you must go through for the new vent.
This particular home was 75-years old with brick construction and had a concrete block foundation. When it was all said and done, I had to go through 11-inches of masonry and another 1.5-inches of wood inside! The rerouted duct immediately gave them dry clothes, saved them money on their energy costs, and drastically reduced a potential fire hazard.
Walls are constructed in many different ways and you need the right tools for each type of wall you are trying to go through. Masonry bits, rotary hammers, and chisels are all needed for concrete and brick. Hole saws and extra long drill bits are needed for wood. If you have the right tools for the job you can get through the wall relatively quickly and efficiently. If you don’t, you might end up banging your head on a brick wall out of frustration.
Want to learn more about the process in detail? Click here to see a step-by-step install that only had to go through wooden surfaces.
I’m here to help when you need me. Call me at 859-878-2100 and I’ll help you, and your dryer, breathe easier.
Thanks,
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