Dryer vent conundrum…

2,630 Views | 32 Replies | Last: 11 days ago by Tormentos
bam02
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:16a, 10/9/26
AG
We recently moved into this house and the dryer was lecture by the seller. It's frustratingly and efficient at drying clothes so today we decided to try cleaning the vent. For the life of me I cannot find where this goes to the outside of the house.

This is a pretty nice home built by Repair home builder in San Antonio in 1999. Is it possible that this was vintage just straight into the wall?

This wall goes up to attic space and when I reach around in here it doesn't feel like there's any for the air except up the wall cavity. I keep pulling all this material out. I'm not 100% sure if it's Lent or install installation or a mixture of both.
Reply Quote
EMY92
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:55a, 10/9/26
AG
I'm not sure if you're pulling out lint or insulation. Stick your phone in there and take a video. See if there is actually a vent or if it's just venting into the wall cavity.
Reply Quote
bam02
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to EMY92 • 11:57a, 10/9/26
AG
OK I spoke to a builder friend of mine and he explained how the venting was likely constructed. This is all lent that I've pulled out. I pulled out about four or five piles so far there are this big. I think this thing vents to the roof. I just went to Lowe's and got an extension kit for the vent brush so I can try to get all the way to the end. We'll see how much more comes out.

Pretty sure this is 27 years worth of lint.
Reply Quote
2
EMY92
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bam02 • 12:13p, 10/9/26
AG
Should dry even quicker when you're done. That's a lot of lint.
Reply Quote
1
Featured Video Previews
bam02
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
1:58p, 10/9/26
AG
So this is turned into a half a day ordeal now. I found where it vents through the roof but I got up there and found that the cover on it was riveted on. I tried for a little bit to drill the rivets out and was gonna replace them with sheet metal screws but that proved to be kind of difficult so I decided just to go into the attic and see if I could detach the ductwork. I managed to do that and pulled a crap load more of very dense Lent out.

So now I have pretty clean ductwork but it's detached and I'm having a hell of a time getting it back together so now I have a new problem lol.
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
javajaws
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
2:09p, 10/9/26
AG
You see, this is why this last time I paid someone to clean the stupid thing out. They ended up pulling out 3 5-gallon buckets worth and I didn't have to do a damn thing except hand over the cash.

Note: I DO highly recommend everyone clean these things out regularly, so props on OP for doing so. I've heard of more than 1 person's house burning down because of dirty dryer vents.
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Ben Franklin
Reply Quote
2
Jason_Roofer
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bam02 • 2:11p, 10/9/26
These things kinda suck. Many dryer vents are not 'serviceable'. There are some that are or they are built such that they don't clog. The issue with a lot of these going out of the roof is that it has a lot of head pressure before it gets there, so if lint snags on anything in that pipe, it snowballs and plugs.

To get everything back together, you can utilize a very short piece of flex duct. That should provide enough wiggle room and make future servicing easier.

Some options if you want to update the exhaust vent:

https://www.gaf.com/en-us/roofing-materials/residential-roofing-materials/rooftop-accessories/master-flow-bath-dryer-rooftop-appliance-vent

https://dryerjack.com/

I have a tradesman in Houston that installs these and cleans this stuff out. Most roofs I do have never had these cleaned. The dryers dries 'good enough' and no one really notices until its completely clogged.
Reply Quote
4
2 edits
bam02
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to javajaws • 2:13p, 10/9/26
AG
Yep. We lost our house to an electrical fire earlier this year. This is a new house. Don't need to be the guy who lost two houses to a fire. I'd start getting some raised eyebrows
Reply Quote
7
1 edit
Shelton98
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:14p, 10/9/26
AG
No good deed…..
Reply Quote
2
UnderoosAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:47p, 10/9/26
AG
If it makes you feel any better, I cleaned mine out about four months ago. Because a bird made a nest in the outlet. About a foot deep into the vent. Which is about 12' above grade.

I couldn't get to it from the inside to push it out. So I'm on the ladder fishing it out from the outside. Clump after clump after clump. Thought I got it cleared so I started the dryer with just plain air. Nope, still blocked. Went back to fishing. Finally got it cleared and got a face full of feathery lint stanky nest remains. With bird ***** Bout fell off the ladder when I flinched.

The outlet has a wire cloth screen on it now.
Reply Quote
3
TexAg1987
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to UnderoosAg • 8:37p, 10/9/26
Watch that screen. It will collect lint and start a plug too like the lint filter in the dryer.
Maybe install a lint trap in the laundry room.
Reply Quote
3
1 edit
ukbb2003
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:20p, 10/10/26
Since you have it taken apart. Maybe look at installing an inline booster fan.
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
bam02
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to ukbb2003 • 6:52p, 10/10/26
AG
I'll look into that thank you. I have it all back together by now but if it's something I can just put in line I'll check it out
Reply Quote
jt2hunt
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to ukbb2003 • 7:11p, 10/10/26
AG
How would this work? Is the power tied into the dryer so when you're using the dryer it turns on. And does lint pass through the in-line fan. I'm confused on this one.
Reply Quote
1
BenTheGoodAg
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to jt2hunt • 8:16p, 10/10/26
AG
Wired into a normal 120V circuit. There's a positive pressure sensor on the intake that turns the booster on. The dryer venting creates enough pressure to start it. It runs on a timer for like 5 or 10 minutes. If there's still pressure, it runs again and repeats the run cycle until it's done.

The lint mostly passes through, but the fan blades can build up lint and need to be cleaned out periodically, but it can make a big difference on irregular dryer vents.
Reply Quote
3 edits
Cromagnum
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:22a, 10/11/26
AG
For the life of me, I dont know why they dont build laundry rooms on exterior walls and run vent lines a few feet out so they never clog. Its every bit as stupid as putting hot water heaters in the attic.
Reply Quote
15
BSD
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to TexAg1987 • 8:59a, 10/11/26
AG
TexAg1987 said:
Watch that screen. It will collect lint and start a plug too like the lint filter in the dryer.
Maybe install a lint trap in the laundry room.


We have a screen that's located about 12' above ground. We also do a lot of laundry and have two dogs that shed all the time. I'm a ladder every other week with a leaf blower blowing the lint back down into laundry room where my wife has a vacuum cleaner on the other end. It's not ideal but it is what it is. No birds or squirrels are in there, at least.
Reply Quote
chickencoupe16
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Cromagnum • 9:10a, 10/11/26
AG
Cromagnum said:
For the life of me, I dont know why they dont build laundry rooms on exterior walls and run vent lines a few feet out so they never clog. Its every bit as stupid as putting hot water heaters in the attic.


Because no one is not buying a house based on the dryer vent but will make a decision on overall layout. If/when I ever build a house, having it on an exterior wall will be on my list but you and I are by far the exception.
Reply Quote
6
jt2hunt
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to BenTheGoodAg • 10:10a, 10/11/26
AG
Nice
Reply Quote
tgivaughn
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
1:28p, 10/11/26
AG
New house designs are NOT permitted to leave the studio unless dryer vents directly to outside.
If Owner insists, then the pipe is housed in a ground level "shoe" shelf/box, as short a run as possible. Perhaps your garage can offer such an opening to reduce this fire hazard sold you.

If Owner buys such dryer venting through roof ... or anything vertical (fire expected), a quick remodel design on ground directly to outside will be designed ... even if through a neighboring room ... horizontal better than vertical, of course.

Next up this season will also be chimney sweeps & wrong types of wood to burn.

https://www.facebook.com/TgiVaughnArchitect/
Gotta draw since me got no grammar MasterArch '76
Reply Quote
3 edits
sts7049
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:06p, 10/11/26
AG
if this is an exterior wall, just drill a new vent hole directly on the other side and you will never have an issue again
Reply Quote
1
NormanEH
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:19p, 10/11/26
Don't flip your drill to reverse while the vent brush is way up in there. Ask me how I know.
Reply Quote
6
bam02
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to sts7049 • 6:18p, 10/11/26
AG
sts7049 said:
if this is an exterior wall, just drill a new vent hole directly on the other side and you will never have an issue again


It's not but the garage is on the other side and I was about ready to do that and just vent into the garage although the smell of bounce laundry sheets would be nauseating and I'm sure that's against code anyway.
Reply Quote
sts7049
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:29a, 10/12/26
AG
no, you don't want to vent it into the garage either.
Reply Quote
1
Furlock Bones
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:36a, 10/12/26
AG
It's code to not put a cover on dryer vents that exit the roof for this very reason.
Reply Quote
jamesf
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:10p, 10/12/26
AG
This thread reminds me of this Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/MrLintGuy
Reply Quote
Mathguy64
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:05p, 10/12/26
AG
My dryer vents directly through the wall to the outside. It's brick + sheathing + 2x4 stud plus drywall. Call it 8 inches. Plus 12" of hose. Maybe 15".

Anything else is a mechanical nightmare. I don't need fans trying to create positive pressure to draw lint of 30 ft through my roof.

Some things don't need creative engineered solutions.
Reply Quote
7
bam02
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Mathguy64 • 7:06p, 10/12/26
AG
You are lucky. That is just smart.
Reply Quote
Kenneth_2003
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Mathguy64 • 6:25a, 10/13/26
AG
Mathguy64 said:
My dryer vents directly through the wall to the outside. It's brick + sheathing + 2x4 stud plus drywall. Call it 8 inches. Plus 12" of hose. Maybe 15".

Anything else is a mechanical nightmare. I don't need fans trying to create positive pressure to draw lint of 30 ft through my roof.

Some things don't need creative engineered solutions.

There are times that engineers are their own worst enemy.

Love him or hate him, one design philosophy that Musk gets right is pinnacle KISS. He says, "The best part is no part."
Reply Quote
1
ABATTBQ11
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:42a, 10/14/26
AG
Glad mine goes straight through the exterior wall. It's all of maybe 8" long.
Reply Quote
7
ABATTBQ11
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Mathguy64 • 10:44a, 10/14/26
AG
I think a lot of these end up being done through the roof because the washer/dryer space is in the interior of the home.
Reply Quote
1
CapCity12thMan
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:32a, 10/16/26
AG
Is the point where it goes into the garage close enough to an exterior wall in the garage to then rout it out? You would see a duct line in your garage but would be serviceable at least.

Mine is in an exterior wall so < 2' of duct work all in. Thankfully.
Reply Quote
Tormentos
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:39p, 10/16/26
AG
I had a non serviceable exhaust vent that was completely clogged up, took that vent out and went back in with the vent Jason_Roofer linked above. Much happier and highly recommmend!
Reply Quote
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.