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Dryer Vent to the Attic
Posted on 12/4/19 at 7:31 am
Posted on 12/4/19 at 7:31 am
My dryer vents thru the attic and out of the gable. This is a new home and I am anticipating problems with this set up. I think I need some kind of booster fan to move the lint and hot air out since the vent is so long. How can I rectify this issue?
13
Posted on 12/4/19 at 7:45 am to Vacherie
That is definitely not the optimal route. Why does it not run to an exterior wall now?
Posted on 12/4/19 at 8:17 am to Vacherie
Had to manage something similar, laundry center was in the middle of the house on 2nd floor. In efforts to make it better I raised the washer and dryer about 6 inches on a platform (makes a front load easier with less bending down) installed a T at the dryer so that the base of the T is at the dryer and the top of the T was vertical, run the dryer duct up to the roof (rigid pipe can be brushed with a chimney sweep, flexible stuff would need replacing periodically) cap off the bottom of the T.
Here was the logic/thinking; airborne lint would cool on it's way up, much of what did not leave the vent would settle in the cavity/trap formed at the bottom of the T.
Serviced periodically, by sweeping the vent pipe, pull out the washer/dryer to clean under/behind, and clean out the trap in the T.
There may be better ways, but this worked for me and never had an issue.
Here was the logic/thinking; airborne lint would cool on it's way up, much of what did not leave the vent would settle in the cavity/trap formed at the bottom of the T.
Serviced periodically, by sweeping the vent pipe, pull out the washer/dryer to clean under/behind, and clean out the trap in the T.
There may be better ways, but this worked for me and never had an issue.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 8:17 am to Vacherie
Honestly thought it was against current code to not terminate out of the closest exterior wall.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 8:43 am to TheBoo
OP, long vent lines make the dryer work harder. It would be best to run it straight thru the roof above.
And yes, mine is in the middle of the house. The vent pipe is a 4", 40Sec PVC. I do have to clean it out about once a year. In the attic, I can disconnect the pipe, drop a string with a big rag tied to one end and just pull it thru to the bottom.
Oh, been that way the last 25 years.
And yes, mine is in the middle of the house. The vent pipe is a 4", 40Sec PVC. I do have to clean it out about once a year. In the attic, I can disconnect the pipe, drop a string with a big rag tied to one end and just pull it thru to the bottom.
Oh, been that way the last 25 years.
This post was edited on 12/4/19 at 8:44 am
Posted on 12/4/19 at 9:06 am to Vacherie
Fantech and Tjernlund, Fantech is by far easier to install in existing ductwork. Both automatically start when they sense the dryer is running. I ran a dedicated outlet off an existing circuit though you could run a light-duty extension cord if you have an existing box already.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 9:42 am to Vacherie
quote:
This is a new home and I am anticipating problems with this set up. I think I need some kind of booster fan to move the lint and hot air out since the vent is so long. How can I rectify this issue?
I would wait to see if there is a problem. My dyer duct runs up through the attic & have had zero problems in 15 years.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 10:57 am to Vacherie
We have similar setup as the laundry room's in the middle of the house (single story)... I bought two of these kits and use them twice a year.
We've never had any issues (that I know about, anyway).
We've never had any issues (that I know about, anyway
). This post was edited on 12/4/19 at 11:09 am
Posted on 12/4/19 at 11:12 am to Vacherie
quote:
I am anticipating problems with this set up
Why?
Posted on 12/4/19 at 11:27 am to Vacherie
Is the gable made of wood or vinyl? That much moisture might rot the wood. You probably know this, but all the water you are drying out of your cloths comes out of this pipe.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 11:48 am to Vacherie
I had a house in Florida that had this setup. I would go up about once a year and run the brush through it. Highly recommend cleaning, it builds up in there with this set up. I would pull the dryer out and run the brush down the attic towards the dryer.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 12:01 pm to BlackAdam
the wall fronts the carport. code says it cannot run under the enclosed area.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 12:04 pm to TigerSprings
Hardy plank.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 2:13 pm to Vacherie
Find your air conditioner's outdoor unit. Vent your dryer right behind it. That's what they guy who built my house thought was a good idea.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 2:28 pm to SSpaniel
They make dryers with built in more powerful fans to have more push FYI. Your options are certainly more limited, but they work well. As said you can also add an external booster fan but they are kinda a pain in the arse. You’d be better off buying the dryer with the built in fan imo. I currently have both setups for some condos that are much longer then 30 ft runs. The problem with the external booster fans are post construction would likely be a pita and most importantly they usually at least partially block the route so they are a natural spot for lint build up.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 3:37 pm to Vacherie
How long is the vent line and how many elbows?
If the line itself is straight (based on description, I'd say no) you should have a max of about 35 ft. When measuring the line length, add 5 ft for every 90 degree elbow and and 2.5 feet for every 45 degree elbow. So if you have 1 90 from the dryer going up plus another 90 turning it toward the gable, that's 10 feet meaning you should have no more than 25 ft of vent line. If you have more, I would consider a booster fan and probably an inline external lint trap.
If the line itself is straight (based on description, I'd say no) you should have a max of about 35 ft. When measuring the line length, add 5 ft for every 90 degree elbow and and 2.5 feet for every 45 degree elbow. So if you have 1 90 from the dryer going up plus another 90 turning it toward the gable, that's 10 feet meaning you should have no more than 25 ft of vent line. If you have more, I would consider a booster fan and probably an inline external lint trap.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 3:52 pm to mdomingue
Regarding overall length; it looks like 41' with the elbows accounted for. With that in mind, I'm thinking the booster fan may be the best option in this situation.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 4:20 pm to Vacherie
quote:
With that in mind, I'm thinking the booster fan may be the best option in this situation.
Those booster fans aren't cheap and its not exactly something that you just pop on. Unless you can access it from say your attic or another open space.
Whirlpool long vent 160 ft dryer
Posted on 12/4/19 at 4:37 pm to Vacherie
quote:
Regarding overall length; it looks like 41' with the elbows accounted for. With that in mind, I'm thinking the booster fan may be the best option in this situation.
The 35 feet is a general rule of thumb. Check your dryer manual or google your model to see what it recommends.
As another poster noted, this isn't a quick pop in type of addition. Here is a place to look at some recommendations, this site actually has a short rule of thumb for lengths.
https://www.hvacquick.com/howtos/howto_dryer.php
ETA: the site seems to have good info and a few fan options but I would shop whatever you decide to go with for the best price, it may not be these links.
This post was edited on 12/4/19 at 4:40 pm
Posted on 12/4/19 at 9:58 pm to Vacherie
First step is to chunk the existing gooseneck or other constricting vent on your roof and get this model from Dryer Jack (DJK466)
Its a free flowing design with a baffle that stays closed when not in use.
You can look on Dryer Jacks website for a dealer, they cost around $40
ETA: I just saw this is out of a gable so disregard, but Ill leave this up in case it helps someone else.
Its a free flowing design with a baffle that stays closed when not in use.
You can look on Dryer Jacks website for a dealer, they cost around $40
ETA: I just saw this is out of a gable so disregard, but Ill leave this up in case it helps someone else.
This post was edited on 12/4/19 at 10:00 pm
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