Dryer Vent Box Contraption???????

Question

For Gosh sakes, I'm a property manager.... definitely not any kind of contractor....

So I acquired a new client, who seems to have installed some kind of BOX as ventilation for his dryer....

I've NEVER heard of something like this, real estate or no real estate. Apparently you can just clean out this box every now and then to keep using it.....

REGARDLESS it's violation of our municipalities code enforcement....

So being the dutiful PM that I am, it's on me to find out WHO works on these type of things....

What type of contractor works with dryer ventilation? And also making holes in the foundation (for the ventilation)?

Peter K. · Answer

For projects I haven't done before I check out two web sites:

The Family Handyman

This Old House

They usually have DIY's for any project I'd be doing myself rather than hiring out.  They both have info on how to property install dryer vents.

Atwan Kwan · Answer

@Peter K. thanks, either way, code enforcement requires us to get outside ventilation..... but good pointer to check if its gas and dangerous.... that should light more of a fire on penny pinching landlords.....

any tips on how to, or what to look out for when making your own ventilation?

Peter K. · Answer

If it's electric, it's not dangerous per se, but definitely not a good idea and not good for the building.  If it's gas, that's dangerous and the dryer should be disconnected until proper venting is installed.

Bring it to the owners attention.  I'd call either a capable handyman or an HVAC guy for this one.  Needs to be rigid metal pipe out the side of the house.

I bought a house last year that did not have any external venting for the dryer.  No electric at the laundry either--it was gas!  No idea how people lived in the house so long like that...  I installed a vent myself, learning along the way about how fun it is to make a 4" hole in brick.  :-)

Atwan Kwan · Answer

@Marcia Maynard @Ryan Arth @Deanna McCormick

below is a picture of the box.... it was hard to get a good shot.... otherwise i think it's one of these on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/EZ-Flow-Dryer-Vent-Box-Cons...

This is a picture of an accordian style duct that you were speaking of Deanna and we're not sure WHERE this goes or what its used for now since it's not attached to dryer and we think it's attached to AC?....

Anyway, tips on what kind of contractor and how to get this done would be appreciated!!!!!

Marcia Maynard · Answer

Can you show us a photo of it? Having a hard time visualizing it.

To recess and protect the exhaust hose, not to replace it, I did find this on line....

http://dryerbox.com/

Who does the work? Ventilation contractors. They specialize in venting and ducts of various kinds. For a dryer vent, often a handyman can handle it, unless ducting through a firewall, roof, or unusual type of material. HVAC guys/gals can do it, construction guys/gals too.

The best I know about dryer venting is to use a rigid sheet metal type vent channel for as much as you can, running in the direction of the exhaust,  not the flexible accordion type that tends to catch lint. The run also must not be too long; our code says no more than 25 feet.

Here's some specifics from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors:

The recommendations outlined below reflect International Residential Code (IRC) SECTION M1502 CLOTHES DRYER EXHAUST guidelines:M1502.5 Duct construction.Exhaust ducts shall be constructed of minimum 0.016-inch-thick (0.4 mm) rigid metal ducts, having smooth interior surfaces, with joints running in the direction of air flow. Exhaust ducts shall not be connected with sheet-metal screws or fastening means which extend into the duct.This means that the flexible, ribbed vents used in the past should no longer be used. They should be noted as a potential fire hazard if observed during an inspection.M1502.6 Duct length.The maximum length of a clothes dryer exhaust duct shall not exceed 25 feet (7,620 mm) from the dryer location to the wall or roof termination. The maximum length of the duct shall be reduced 2.5 feet (762 mm) for each 45-degree (0.8 rad) bend, and 5 feet (1,524 mm) for each 90-degree (1.6 rad) bend. The maximum length of the exhaust duct does not include the transition duct.This means that vents should also be as straight as possible and cannot be longer than 25 feet. Any 90-degree turns in the vent reduce this 25-foot number by 5 feet, since these turns restrict airflow.

Deanna McCormick · Answer

Make sure who ever puts in the vent system that they do not use the flex-tube accordion style venting pipe it is not code and you need the solid sheet metal style tube put in, and must be taped with the correct silver heat tape not duct tape.

Where the venting exits the building, the opening must be a certain distance from doors, windows, when it exits the building. I learned this the hard way, when we had to move one.

Anybody that does heating can put it in or handyman.

The indoor style system traps humidity and get it removed.

Dryer Vent Box Contraption???????

Most Popular Reply