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Paul Oman
 
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Default dryer vent question

Hello

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul

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Dan C
 
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On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 15:57:29 +0000, Paul Oman wrote:

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside?


Assuming you go all the way up through the attic, and exhaust on the
exterior of the house (roof), yes. I don't think it's a good idea to vent
into the attic space.

--
If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
Linux Registered User #327951

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Joseph Meehan
 
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Paul Oman wrote:
Hello

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul


Generally I would say no. There may be some exceptions where that craw
space is vented a lot better than most and you live in a dry environment.
Otherwise, you are going to add moisture to an area you want to keep as dry
as possible. Vent to the outside. I might add that you would also be
depositing lint down there.

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math


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No
 
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Agreed
"Dan C" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 15:57:29 +0000, Paul Oman wrote:

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside?


Assuming you go all the way up through the attic, and exhaust on the
exterior of the house (roof), yes. I don't think it's a good idea to vent
into the attic space.

--
If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
Linux Registered User #327951



  #5   Report Post  
Appliance Repair Aid
 
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Default

Hi,

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space


And stopping without going outside??

Nope.

instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside?


Go outside! Is the dryer electric, gas? Gas must be vented outside,
there are indoor vent kits for electric dryers but they have a tendacy
to be messy and add moisture where you don't want it

jeff.
Appliance Repair Aid
http://www.applianceaid.com/



  #6   Report Post  
Tony Hwang
 
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Paul Oman wrote:
Hello

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul

Hi,
Then you'll have dirt(lint) and moisture problem over time.
When hot air cools it becomes wet. Messy!
Tony
  #7   Report Post  
Dave
 
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If you want a mold problem.
-Dave

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USENET READER
 
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Anywhere you vent, you have to make sure that the vent pipe is not only
sealed against leaks of hot humid air into any other space, but also
that the vent duct is insulated so as not to heat up the attic.

Joseph Meehan wrote:

Paul Oman wrote:

Hello

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul



Generally I would say no. There may be some exceptions where that craw
space is vented a lot better than most and you live in a dry environment.
Otherwise, you are going to add moisture to an area you want to keep as dry
as possible. Vent to the outside. I might add that you would also be
depositing lint down there.

  #9   Report Post  
PhotoMan
 
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"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message
...
Paul Oman wrote:
Hello

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul


Generally I would say no. There may be some exceptions where that

craw
space is vented a lot better than most and you live in a dry environment.
Otherwise, you are going to add moisture to an area you want to keep as

dry
as possible. Vent to the outside. I might add that you would also be
depositing lint down there.


Also, there will be an accumulation of lint in the hose, which will not be
pushed all the way up to the outlet, causing a fire hazard.



  #10   Report Post  
xrongor
 
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"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message
...
Paul Oman wrote:
Hello

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul


Generally I would say no. There may be some exceptions where that craw
space is vented a lot better than most and you live in a dry environment.
Otherwise, you are going to add moisture to an area you want to keep as
dry as possible. Vent to the outside. I might add that you would also be
depositing lint down there.


there is NO good reason to vent the dryer in the attic no matter what.

it may not immediately destroy your house, but there is still no good reason
to do it.

randy




  #11   Report Post  
Hopkins
 
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In addition to moisture and mould in the attic, if you live in a cold
climate there's a chance venting into the attic could cause ice dams in
the winter. It's possible the heat would be enough to melt snow on the
roof, only to have it re-freeze, causing dams and more damage than
you'd ever want to face.

  #12   Report Post  
The Real Tom
 
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On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 15:57:29 GMT, Paul Oman
wrote:

Hello

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul



funny I didn't see anyone ask this. What are the manufacturers
instructions. I'm guessing once you read them, you will have your
answer.

later,

tom @ www.workathomeplans.com


  #13   Report Post  
remove
 
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In a word NO!

The exhaust from your dryer contains all of the moisture from your wash,
do you want to dump this into your attic?

Dave

Paul Oman wrote:
Hello

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul

  #14   Report Post  
Clyde
 
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What about venting it into the crawlspace below? We don't have any
insulation between the floor joists down there, and the ground is
bare. The crawlspace is well ventilated (as is our drafty 50+ year
old house).

I ask because to get the vent down and out through an outside wall
will require about 3 90 degree bends along with about 40+ feet of
ducting. My only other alternative is to vent through the roof which
would be 2 90 bends and about 20' of ducting but I've read that it's
not good to vent vertically because the lint will clog easier.


remove wrote:

In a word NO!

The exhaust from your dryer contains all of the moisture from your wash,
do you want to dump this into your attic?

Dave

Paul Oman wrote:
Hello

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul


  #15   Report Post  
 
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"Clyde" wrote in message
...
What about venting it into the crawlspace below? We don't have any
insulation between the floor joists down there, and the ground is
bare. The crawlspace is well ventilated (as is our drafty 50+ year
old house).

I ask because to get the vent down and out through an outside wall
will require about 3 90 degree bends along with about 40+ feet of
ducting. My only other alternative is to vent through the roof which
would be 2 90 bends and about 20' of ducting but I've read that it's
not good to vent vertically because the lint will clog easier.


The proper way to do it is to run hard metal pipe out with a cleanout on the
run.
Run it OUT from under or above the home.
Period.



remove wrote:

In a word NO!

The exhaust from your dryer contains all of the moisture from your wash,
do you want to dump this into your attic?

Dave

Paul Oman wrote:
Hello

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul





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RicodJour
 
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Clyde wrote:
What about venting it into the crawlspace below? We don't have any
insulation between the floor joists down there, and the ground is
bare. The crawlspace is well ventilated (as is our drafty 50+ year
old house).

I ask because to get the vent down and out through an outside wall
will require about 3 90 degree bends along with about 40+ feet of
ducting. My only other alternative is to vent through the roof which
would be 2 90 bends and about 20' of ducting but I've read that it's
not good to vent vertically because the lint will clog easier.
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul


The owner's manual will tell you the maximum allowable distance that
you can run the vent. You may be over that limit either way - 90 bends
creat much more drag on the air flow.

Having a too long vent run could be dangerous. The dryer won't be able
to exhaust the heat as quickly and there is an increased danger of
fire. Try and burn some lint some time - it burns beautifully.

There are inline vent fans to boost the air pressure in the duct and
help exhaust the air. The fan blades are designed to prevent lint
build-up, but they should be installed so you can access them to clean
off the lint anyway.

R

  #17   Report Post  
HerHusband
 
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Clyde,

What about venting it into the crawlspace below?


You don't want to vent a dryer ANYWHERE inside the house, including the
attic or the crawlspace. That's a lot of moisture that could cause rot,
mold, etc. I also believe it's a code violation.

I ask because to get the vent down and out through an outside wall
will require about 3 90 degree bends along with about 40+ feet of
ducting.


Unless your house is 80'x80' and the dryer sits right in the middle, I'm
guessing you can find a shorter route to an outside wall. I believe the
maximum length is supposed to be under 25 feet, which you have to subtract
5 feet for every 90 degree elbow (just going from memory on this).

I had a similar situation when I built my house. My initial options were 16
feet up to the roof, or about 20' out to a back wall. Once I stopped
overthinking the situation, I ended up with a short 5' duct run to a side
wall. I went down to the crawlspace, under the joists, then out through the
rim joist in the crawlspace. Two 90's, two 45's, and about 4' of actual
duct. I wrapped the whole thing with metal foil tape and insulation. It
flows wonderfully and can be cleaned easily from outside.

Check your options further. You'll probably find another route that is much
shorter...

Anthony
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Clyde
 
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Well, the dryer will be sitting in a bathroom which is just about dead
middle in the house (which is appx 60' long and 40' wide). It will
take two 90 degrees to get it pointed to the foundation for exit, not
counting an additional 90 from the dryer to the proposed vent's hole
in the wall. Closest foundation wall would be appx 15' from the
vent's hole in the floor but that's right next to the front porch. Add
another 3' for the duct from the wall hole to the floor, so min run is
just at 19-20 feet.

According to the mfg's ducting chart, the max for 2 90's rigid 4" duct
run is 16'.


HerHusband wrote:
Unless your house is 80'x80' and the dryer sits right in the middle, I'm
guessing you can find a shorter route to an outside wall. I believe the
maximum length is supposed to be under 25 feet, which you have to subtract
5 feet for every 90 degree elbow (just going from memory on this).

I had a similar situation when I built my house. My initial options were 16
feet up to the roof, or about 20' out to a back wall. Once I stopped
overthinking the situation, I ended up with a short 5' duct run to a side
wall. I went down to the crawlspace, under the joists, then out through the
rim joist in the crawlspace. Two 90's, two 45's, and about 4' of actual
duct. I wrapped the whole thing with metal foil tape and insulation. It
flows wonderfully and can be cleaned easily from outside.

Check your options further. You'll probably find another route that is much
shorter...

Anthony


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I R Baboon
 
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sounds like the guy who owned my house before me

"remove" wrote in message
news%%9e.1099863$8l.604282@pd7tw1no...
In a word NO!

The exhaust from your dryer contains all of the moisture from your wash,
do you want to dump this into your attic?

Dave

Paul Oman wrote:
Hello

Is it OK to vent a dryer vertically into an attic crawl
space instead of horizontally thru an exterior wall to the
outside? - paul



  #20   Report Post  
stretch
 
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Once you get into the crawlspace, increase the duct to 6 inch, then
run however far you need, within reason. Your flow resistance will be
lower and you should have very little trouble.

Stretch



  #21   Report Post  
Hopkins
 
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Funny, I watched "Ask this Old House" Thursday night. A homeowner had
an exhaust fan installed in their bathroom. The electrician claimed it
was unnecessary to vent it to the outside, so he just installed the fan
so it vented into the attic.

The homeowners ended up having water damage to their bedroom ceilings.
It was winter when they went into the attic to see if they could find
the problem, and they found sheets of ice on the inside of their roof.

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