2 inches makes a BIG difference (......that's what she said....)

So, we've been in this house for 12 years and while I love many things about the house, the laundry room is a huge drawback and has been an annoyance for us the entire time we've been here. Hopefully the pictures show it well enough and you guys can get a visual, but essentially there's not enough room to fit a dryer and still be able to open the door to the garage. Issue centers around the dryer vent. I have no idea why the builder put the stupid dryer vent so close to the wall right there, because it doesn't line up with the back of any dryer. We are talking about needing to push the dryer back just 2" more in order to be able to open the door.

I went ahead, for the purposes of taking pictures, and put the dryer in this current spot. This doesn't allow the garage door to open. The way we typically have had it is the washer is actually in this spot by the door and the dryer is over on the other side, which isn't ideal because the connections are opposite. The washer is a little more narrow, however, and has a recessed indent at the bottom where the flexible duct can slide underneath against the wall and that allows us just enough clearance to push the washer back enough for the door to the garage to open fully.

We WANT the dryer to be in the spot it is in these pictures. But how do I work this setup to get another 2 in of space? I've researched periscope vents which look like they'd work but I keep reading that it is a major fire hazard and the sharp 90 turns will trap lint quickly. Any other options I'm missing here?

I also have read that this flexible duct we use isn't the best idea either, but this is what we've used for the last 12 years with no issues. When we got our new dryer recently, there was minimal lint build up in the flexible hose so I took that as a good sign, at least. Hopefully that means I don't have a fire risk using it.

I just feel like there's got to be another option.

I have this one, and have no issues with it. https://www.lowes.com/pd/IMPERIAL-24-in-to-45-in-Adjustable-Periscope-Dryer-Vent/4753386?store=282&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-plb-_-ggl-_-CRP_SHP_LIA_PLB_Online_Mid_Priority(E+Band)_Omni-_-4753386-_-local-_-22871707582-_-&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22871707582&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W9wmMcNX8F1cBKuazyevR7aH&gclid=CjwKCAjwgajSBhBEEiwASicJU2IIqy2ahpZ4bwBeStUCEzuyP93-cnAoJqdy9qFup84QeKkGDSsAKRoCRMkQAvD_BwE
I have a similar issue but with this I was able to swap positions of.the washer and dryer. Moron put the washer valves and the dryer vent.on the same side.

Some questions:
1. Is the exterior of the house on the other side of that wall, or does the ducting travel through the wall to the vent?
2. If it vents to the other side of that wall, what is the exterior surface material?

I'd say your only real solution outside of a periscope vent is to relocate the vent connection. My recommendation would be a recessed dryer vent box directly behind the dryer, but it would depend on the answers to these questions.

Moron put the washer valves and the dryer vent.on the same side.

I've seen builders do this to give homeowners the option of installing a stacked unit.

I agree best if possible to move vent and put recessed box in wall

Other option can you reverse swing of door out into garage not sure if that is a code thing.

We passed on a couple house because of this same issue.

Ryan the Temp said:

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Some questions:
1. Is the exterior of the house on the other side of that wall, or does the ducting travel through the wall to the vent?
2. If it vents to the other side of that wall, what is the exterior surface material?

I'd say your only real solution outside of a periscope vent is to relocate the vent connection. My recommendation would be a recessed dryer vent box directly behind the dryer, but it would depend on the answers to these questions.

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It goes up through that wall (not exterior wall) and then turns sideways and vents horizontally out side of house about 10 feet up (between 1st and 2nd story I assume)

I thought of a recessed dryer vent box, but not sure that gives me any extra clearance since it doesn't line up horizontally and I have about 12 to 18" between wall vent location and the dryer vent location. I would still have to have a run of flexible dryer vent hose I would think??

Luckass96 said:

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I agree best if possible to move vent and put recessed box in wall

Other option can you reverse swing of door out into garage not sure if that is a code thing.

We passed on a couple house because of this same issue.

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Thought about switching the door, if possible.

If we put a recessed box in, I assume we'd have to put a couple 90 turns in and shift the pipe in the wall about 18 inches to the right so that it aligned horizontally with the location of vent on the dryer?

I feel like a periscope vent (with 12-24" of possible adjustment) might work, though no idea if it'll give me the extra couple inches.... With the flexible duct hose the dryer is already within 4 inches of the wall.

I just don't know if I'm risking burning my house down with it.

If it's been working then go with it. I've owned several homes and I've never had a vent lineup correctly. I don't know why on earth this is such an issue but it is. When I built my shop, I put th hole directly in line with the outlet. And that's fine for this dryer but might not work for the next.

I had the idea that I'd build an adjustable platform for the dryer, so the hole can always be in line perfectly.

Quote:

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I thought of a recessed dryer vent box, but not sure that gives me any extra clearance since it doesn't line up horizontally and I have about 12 to 18" between wall vent location and the dryer vent location. I would still have to have a run of flexible dryer vent hose I would think??

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If you did this, at least where the flexduct is behind the dryer, if it compresses, it still has the same volume of flow behind the dryer, essentially like a periscope. Where it goes into the recessed box would allow it to transition back to round at the connection without kinking or restricting flow. The only challenge then is where it connects to the dryer.

Periscope box with a MagVent connection. They make 90 degree MagVent connections as well.

It is well and properly installed for that type of hose. No extra loops or turns than is necessary. You were able to determine it has worked well for 12 years. I would make sure to put the new one back in the same fashion and not worry about it. Sure there are some modern innovations that are great, but not worth the time, money or work for a retrofit in my opinion.

The main fire hazard is any vertical portion, assuming all parts metal.
The solution is to go stacked dryer/washer, create new horizontal dryer vent straight through wall (recessed or not).
On the other side, take the shortest route to outside - fewest bends possible that reduces CFMs and harbors lint.

This is where you tell us what's on the other side and why not this solution.

This seems to be a draftsman/tract.builder product?
We all gotta begin someplace, my sad stories upon demand.

Other side of that wall is a small open space in garage, with the water heater in it. So in this picture, left of the water heater is the outside wall of house. A few feet to right of water heater is the shared wall to the laundry room, where the dryer vent goes up through the wall and then horizontally across ceiling and vents out of house between 1st and 2nd story.

So water heater in the way to outside route ... same for DIL Vet.clinic, "architect" put an oxygen tank in the way, so up they must go to 2nd floor roof to clean out or break a neck upon falling. UGH

Correct me:
The photos suggest
Stacked dryer/washer
new dryer vent turns right and directly outside if no electrical to dodge in that exterior wall, same wall as shared with WH
demo brick and install new vent "hood" - please no more cheapos like in photo

Controversial to some but hose it down every blue moon and works great, seals better, keeps pests out, etc.

I would try the periscope vent.

Does the dryer have an option for a side exit vent?

TexAg1987 said:

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Does the dryer have an option for a side exit vent?

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Came here to say this.

I built a shelf to stack my dryer and wanted it closer to the wall.

I ordered a side exit vent kit and it was the perfect solution and it wasn't very expensive either.

Koko Chingo said:

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TexAg1987 said:

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Does the dryer have an option for a side exit vent?

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Came here to say this.

I built a shelf to stack my dryer and wanted it closer to the wall.

I ordered a side exit vent kit and it was the perfect solution and it wasn't very expensive either.

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This is basically what I did as well. My wife really wanted the washer on the left and dryer on the right, but the vent is on the left side of the room. I built a platform with a couple of drawers. The duct work runs inside the platform behind the drawers. So basically the vent comes out of the dryer and then goes down and runs under everything until it gets to the exit.

Even if I had the option on my dryer for a side venting option (I don't believe I do), it would only go into the other garage wall by that door..... And then it would have to make a few more extra turns to finally connect with the section that ultimately exits out side of the house

My thought was to exit out the side of the dryer behind the basket and turn it into the existing exhaust. Allowing it to sit further back against the wall.

Just makes it easier to connect and not squash the hose.

If it is capable, there would be a knockout on the side. You would need to get the kit to change the plumbing inside the dryer.

TexAg1987 said:

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My thought was to exit out the side of the dryer behind the basket and turn it into the existing exhaust. Allowing it to sit further back against the wall.

Just makes it easier to connect and not squash the hose.

If it is capable, there would be a knockout on the side. You would need to get the kit to change the plumbing inside the dryer.

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Gotcha! Sorry I misunderstood. That makes sense

FDXAg said:

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Other side of that wall is a small open space in garage, with the water heater in it. So in this picture, left of the water heater is the outside wall of house. A few feet to right of water heater is the shared wall to the laundry room, where the dryer vent goes up through the wall and then horizontally across ceiling and vents out of house between 1st and 2nd story.

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I am trying to wrap my head around this. Are you saying that the dryer is on the opposite side of the wall of the sled and aTm?

Poorly worded, sorry.

No, the dryer is on other side of the wall that is to the right of that back wall

Maybe I am still missing this, but cut a hole in that wall and frame it in for the vent or even push the dryer back a little. I bit of framing, a small header, and you could just move it back. If just moving the vent back makes it better, do that.