Is It OK To Vent A Dryer Into The Attic?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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2: It’s OK to vent a dryer into the crawlspace or attic, rather than all the way outside.

DO NOT vent your dryer directly

into a crawlspace, basement or attic.

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a dryer vent?

Dryer vents clogged with lint or obstructed by bird nests prevent exhaust fumes from properly exiting the vent line. Instead, when the line is obstructed,

harmful gases can build up inside the home

, creating a serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Should you insulate dryer vent in attic?

If the duct is in a heated space, such as the inside of the house or in a finished basement, then no,

it doesn’t need to be insulated

. But if it’s running through a crawl space, unheated basement, attic or other unconditioned space where there’s the potential for freezing, then it does need to be insulated.

How do you clean out a dryer vent in the attic?

  1. First, pull the dryer away from the wall.
  2. Then, turn off the electricity to that room.
  3. Remove the vent tube from the dryer and the wall.
  4. Vacuum the inside of the dryer and the inside of the tube.
  5. Using a leaf blower, stick it in the hole in the wall.

Is it safe to vent a dryer through the roof?


It is not advisable to vent a dryer through the roof

. This is one of the most common mistakes we see from people who are not experienced with air ducts. Dryer vent specialists will tell you that a vertical approach to installing a dryer vent is inefficient and creates a fire risk for a home if it goes unchecked.

Why do they put dryer vents on the roof?

Roof Venting


Air velocity reduction from friction loss promotes lint build up

and makes the dryer work harder to completely dry each load. Length of run also reduces efficiency. … Often, going straight up through the roof is the shortest route.

How do you vent a dryer without a vent outside?

  1. Open any windows and doors in the room where the dryer sits. …
  2. Install a dryer lint trap to catch the lint expelled in the dry cycle to prevent fabric particles from increasing household allergens.
  3. Run a vent hose from the dryer to a window or door leading to the outside.

Can I use insulated duct for dryer vent?

If your vent runs through a duct compartment, you can fill the entire compartment with

fiberglass insulation

, so long as the pipe is completely covered. If you prefer to wrap the pipe, a thinner rolled insulation is better.

Can you put a dryer vent in a soffit?


Dryers can be vented through the soffit if it is not prohibited by the manufacturer

. All other dryer installation regulations provided in the IRC must also be met. Notably, the dryer vent must not be within 3 ft of an opening into the building, including passive soffit vents. Never vent into the soffit.

Do indoor dryer vents work?

While indoor and outdoor vents protect the dryer from overheating, they are not interchangeable. Dundas Jafine, one of the leading providers of air distribution products, stresses that

indoor dryer vents should only be used with electric dryers

— never with gas.

What happens if dryer vents into house?

Venting your clothes dryer into the house can

cause mold and condensation problems

. In the winter, many homes could use a little extra heat and even some more moisture in the air. … Excess humidity in the air also can: Increase clothes drying times, which causes increased energy usage.

What happens if a dryer is not vented?

If the dryer isn’t vented to the outside of the home,

all of that moisture is being added inside

. This can promote the growth of mold and mildew and cause condensation to form on your windows. In extreme cases, the excess moisture can cause the wood in your home to rot.

How can I clean out my dryer vent?

  1. Step 1: Find your vent. Before you can clean your dryer vent, you’ll need to figure out where it actually is. …
  2. Step 2: Carefully disconnect your dryer. …
  3. Step 3: Vacuum the lint. …
  4. Step 4: Get in there with a brush. …
  5. Step 5: Clean up and reconnect. …
  6. Step 6: Celebrate.

How dO you tell if your dryer vent is clogged?

  1. Excess Dry Times. One of the first signs that your dryer vent is clogged is when your clothes are no longer fully drying during a regular dry cycle. …
  2. Burning Smell. Have you noticed a burnt odor coming from your dryer whenever you have a load going? …
  3. Hot Exterior. …
  4. Sizable Lint.

How far can a dryer be vented?

The maximum developed length of a clothes dryer exhaust duct shall not exceed

35 feet from

the dryer location to the wall or roof termination. The maximum length of the duct shall be reduced 2.5 feet for each 45-degree (0.8 rad) bend, and 5 feet for each 90-degree (1.6 rad) bend.

How much does it cost to have someone clean your dryer vent?

Cost to Clean a Dryer Vent

Dryer vent cleaning costs

between $100 and $170

, or $133 on average. Check out the details below or compare quotes from local vent-cleaning specialists for the best deal. As you use your clothes dryer on a regular basis, the vents collect a lot of lint, hair and other debris.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.