The dryer is considered one of the most essential household appliances that are used to dry laundry items. The dryers are helpful to remove moisture from a load of clothing. In today’s article, we will discuss if the dryer vents can go up.
Dryer vents go up
Generally, it is normal for the dryer vent to rise vertically up to the ceiling of the building. You can direct the dryer vent upward to reach a horizontal connection to the roof, but the ceiling wind should slope downwards towards its exit point at the exterior wall of the building.
The dryer is considered one of the most essential household appliances that are used to remove moisture from a load of clothing, bedding, and other textile items.
Generally, it is also known as a tumble dryer as it helps to dry the clothes after they are washed in a washing machine.
When you decide to install a dryer in your house, be very careful about the connections that will connect the dryer properly with the house. Generally, the connection of a dryer requires existing ducting.
That is why you need to determine the location of your dryer so the ducting can be visible for the dryer to operate properly. So, you can try directing the dryer vent upward to reach a horizontal connection or extend the dryer duct to the roof of your house.
But there are some common codes that you need to follow when installing a dryer duct or vent.
According to the building codes and guidelines for residential and commercial construction by the International Code Council, it is recommended that smooth and rigid material ducting should be used for dryer vents.
Regarding the positioning, it is recommended to turn the dryer upwards at least for proper ventilation.
Considering the bends of the dryer vent, you should manage to have a 45-degree bend instead of a 90-degree turn because this will provide the air to pass through the duct or vents easily.
The International Code for the exit of duct or vent should always remain outdoors if possible. In addition to that, when you provide your duct exit point at an open place, you need to make sure that it has good airflow.
Generally, it is highly recommended to vent your dryer into a yard or through the roof. If you have gas dryers, you should vent the dryer outdoors for safety concerns.
In addition to that, as a part of the maintenance for your dryer, you need to inspect and clean the dryer vent every year frequently to prevent excessive lint buildup and identify any potential concerns that can damage the vent of your dryer.
However, you should also make sure to clean your dryer’s lint trap with every load. Eventually, it will help you to sustain the dryer’s performance and longevity.
Can dryer vent go down? Can it go through the roof?
When installing the dryer inside your house you need to choose a perfect location to place the dryer because it is related to the vents and ducting that needs to be placed properly.
It is not a good idea to let a dryer vent go downwards. The reason why you should not let your dryer vent go down is that the dryer vent helps to push all the air out of the dryer.
This can be difficult for the appliance if you place the dryer downwards. That is why it is better not to install the went to go downwards for the dryer.
One of the easiest ways to install the vents for the dryer is through the roof. The reason why you can direct your dryer upwards is to reach a horizontal connection.
You can extend the went all the way to the roof so that it can pass the moisture out of the house properly. However, when you install the dryer through the roof, it works as a moisture condenser.
What is code for venting a dryer?
Installing the vent for a dryer is not easy work. You need to follow some rules to install the event for the dryer properly. In most cases, people tend to install the dryer upwards through the roof.
When you install the dryer upwards to the roof, it works as a moisture condenser. As part of the International Residential Code, the dryers must be exhausted following the manufacturer’s instructions.
In addition to that, the exhaust systems of the dryer must be independent of other systems and make convoy moisture to the outdoors. It also mentions that the exhaust ducts must terminate outside the building and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
That is why you should install the dryer upwards for the best results and get rid of the accumulation of moisture in the attics of your house.
Some of the other instructions for installing the vents of a dryer indicate that, if the manufacturer’s instructions do not specify a termination location, then termination must be not less than three feet from any openings into the building.
However, the exhaust termination should be equipped with a backdraft damper, and screens shall not be installed at the duct termination. In addition to that, the exhaust ducts for the vent must be metal with a minimum thickness of 0.0157 inches.
Although it is not specified in the IRC, most manufacturers’ installation manuals require adduct termination, a minimum height of 1 foot above the ground, and as noted above the exhaust duct must be installed per manufacturer instructions.
Why do dryer vents go up?
It is used to dry washed clothes directly coming from the washing machine. The dryer is used to remove moisture from the clothes and works as a moisture condenser.
It’s very important to determine the location of the dryer vent when installing the dryer in your house.
It is one of the important parts that are related to the dryer because it helps to pass out all the moisture from the dryer. So, it is recommended to keep the venting upward through the roof.
This will help to pass all the moisture out of the house. It is highly recommended to surround the vent with proper insulation if it is passed through an unheated attic. Below is a brief discussion on why dryers’ vents go up:
To prevent moisture from coming back:
One of the main reasons why the ducting went for the dryer is located upwards through the roof is because it is used to prevent the moisture from coming back inside the dryer.
To prevent moisture from accumulating:
Sometimes it is used to install the winds for the dryer upwards through the roof so that it can prevent the dryer from accumulating moisture inside your house.
Safety concerns:
Some drivers use different types of gas, which helps to reduce the moisture from the clothes. That is why it is better to pass the gaseous air through the roof keeping the vent upwards.
As a result, this ensures proper safety and security for the dryer as well as maintains the temperature inside the house.
How to install dryer vent properly?
Installing a dryer vent in your house is not as easy as it seems. You need to have a lot of calculations and expertise in installing the dryer vents so that they can work properly.
In addition to that, the dryer must be located upwards through to the roof so that it can pass all the moisture out of the house. Installing the dryer vent properly will help the appliance to operate effectively and avoid the risk of any type of damage to your home.
Nowadays people usually use flexible vinyl or metal tubing in dryer vent installation. However, they tend to pose a fire hazard. That is why it is ideal to use rigid or semi-rigid holes that can easily be found and purchased inexpensively in different diameters.
You can simply follow the steps below to install the dryer vent properly:
Determine the ventilation path:
The thing you need to do to install the dryer vent is to determine the ventilation path for the vent. The ventilation duct end of the dryer should be closed to the dryer so that it can pass the moisture properly.
Open up a hole:
One of the most challenging parts of the drive and installation is having a hole in the exterior wall. In most cases, it is highly recommended to have a four-inch to 1/4-inch hole in the exterior wall.
Connect both ends:
Once you have created holes in the exterior wall, now you need to connect both ends of the exterior wall using a rigid or semi-rigid pipe.
Final thoughts
Installing the dryer vent is one of the most challenging jobs when installing a household appliance. It is highly recommended to locate the dryer vent upwards through the roof so that it can pass the moisture out of your house without causing any damage to it.