Most kids love the summer months. Whether it is riding their bicycle in the field, playing baseball in the park or experiencing an adventure, they can’t wait for the warm weather to hit so that they can have some fun. But as most parents know, your washer and dryer get a workout during the summer months too. And when your appliances get a workout, dryer vents and ducting tend to collect more lint. A properly configured dryer vent exhaust system will reduce the chances of your appliance causing a fire.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that one area that homeowners have to pay closer attention to is the material that they use to run the ductwork to the exterior of the home. The flexible foil venting sometimes gets crushed when someone accidentally pushes the dryer too close against the wall. When the crushed venting creates a back pressure leading to lint build-up it can potentially ignite when it comes in contact with a dryer’s heating element.
While the transitional duct material could be solid-rigid or semi-rigid ducting, I prefer to use dryer vent outlet boxes which are recessed into the existing wall, allowing homeowners to push the dryer against the wall saving eight to twelve inches of space. This makes a difference if your dryer is located in a closet or small corner and also reduces the need to have a 90-degree elbows or curves in the piping for the dryer. With one less place for lint to accumulate, your dryer becomes less of a fire hazard.
Whatever you choose as your transitional ducting material, make sure that its installed correctly and you allow for the proper clearances. Have a safe, happy summer!
