Dryer Vent Installation Help

Submitted by softhardcoder t3_z27vac in DIY

I had my dryer moved to a new house and need some help with installing the vent as I've never done this before. The previous installation was done by a professional. Here's what I am working with.

Existing Vent Duct

Back of dryer

In-wall oval duct

I have a few questions:

  1. The in-wall duct in the new house is oval so the existing vent duct seems like it won't work as is. Do I need to buy a round to oval duct adapter like this one or do I need to buy a new vent duct?
  2. The existing vent duct I have has a rigid connector at one end as you can see in the picture. Do I connect the rigid end to the dryer or to the in-wall duct/adapter?
  3. There are only 2 clamps on the dryer vent duct I have so what do I use to secure the rigid connector? Do I need to buy another clamp or use some sort of tape?
  4. Once everything is installed am I supposed to move the dryer forward enough from the wall so that the vent duct is stretched out?

Adding some more pics based on questions:

Rigid connector

Semi-rigid end

No idea what these 2 plastic things are

https://preview.redd.it/1bvt48v1nl1a1.jpg?width=360&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1dd2a30d88c81866000e9096bba7da86ac690c31

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Comments

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outlawstar766 t1_ixf2a0o wrote

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-4-in-Round-to-Oval-Dryer-Duct-Adapter-R2OHD/300456306

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outlawstar766 t1_ixf2hqk wrote

You may need to remove the rigid end on your vent, or it may slip into the above adapter. Trim the overall length of the vent to the minimum you need to reach the dryer and make the connections.

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softhardcoder OP t1_ixf4a28 wrote

What is the rigid end on the vent there for? Is that rigid end meant to attach to the dryer or the in-wall duct? If I'm understanding your comment with respect to the rigid end and the adapter it seems like the rigid end would normally attach to the in-wall duct.

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outlawstar766 t1_ixf6us5 wrote

Is that rigid end connected to the pipe by a clamp or integrated? If you look up semi rigid dryer vent they dont usually have a rigid end piece. You could buy a coupler to connect it to the dryer, or more like that end will insert into the wall vent with that oval adapter, then secure it with a self tapping screw. The other end should fit over the dryer's output

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JerseyWiseguy t1_ixfd2az wrote

Screws in dryer ducts are bad. They catch lint and disrupt airflow. Always better to use foil tape and/or clamps.

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softhardcoder OP t1_ixff1uq wrote

The rigid end is connected to the pipe by a clamp. I just attached more pictures to the OP that hopefully show this.

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JerseyWiseguy t1_ixf30me wrote

You might need the round-to-oval adapter. It depends on whether that's a common oval duct or a round duct that has merely been "squished" a bit to fit inside a 2x4 wall. I can't tell which, from the photo.

As for how to hook up the rest? That depends a lot on whether your existing dryer duct lines up with (or extremely close to) the wall duct, when the dryer is pushed into place. If it lines up, you may be able to use something like an adjustable rigid-metal elbow, right off the dryer, going up to the wall duct (or adapter). If it doesn't line up, then what would be best is an elbow right off the dryer, then a length of straight rigid duct, then another elbow or two leading to the wall duct (or adapter). As an alternative, you could use a metal semi-rigid duct, going right from the dryer to the wall duct (or adapter).

I can't be certain, but it appears that the duct in your first photo is a length of semi-rigid duct with a small piece of rigid duct that is either an oval adapter or has been squished to fit inside the oval. If so, you can just connect the oval piece to the wall duct and tighten the clamp, then connect the other end to the dryer and tighten the clamp. (You don't need to "stretch" the semi-rigid duct any more than is needed for it to reach.) Just be sure that you don't crush the duct, when you push the dryer back against the wall.

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softhardcoder OP t1_ixf4ol0 wrote

It seems like it's an oval duct to me but I may be wrong. How can I tell for certain?

Yes, you're correct, the duct in the first photo is a length of semi-rigid duct with a small piece of rigid duct and everything is round. The only thing that seems to be oval to me is the in-wall duct. What's the purpose of the rigid duct that has been attached to the semi-rigid duct?

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JerseyWiseguy t1_ixfcy1h wrote

If the duct seems like an oval, than I would suggest you pick up a round-to-oval adapter, and see if that works. If it does, great; problem solved. If the oval part of the adapter doesn't seem to match up well with the duct in your wall, than it may be that someone just squished a piece of round duct.

Not sure why someone attached the piece of rigid duct to the semi-rigid duct. I don't see any reason why you can't simply remove it.

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softhardcoder OP t1_ixffb7p wrote

It was done by the installers from the store I bought the dryer from when they installed the dryer at my previous house but beyond that I have no idea why they did that.

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molehunter t1_ixfawwm wrote

Use duct tape only for the joints. Tech screws or any screws will catch lint and eventually clog the vent and possible fire will happen

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Psychological-Gas975 t1_ixjf36z wrote

I’ve done several of there before what you need is an 4” laminate elbow and maybe an extension all flat hard steel/aluminum laminate not corrugated duct extension the kind that come in flat sheets that you then fold yourself into a tube

then back up your dryer to see where the dryer vent opening mates with the outlet on the wall now if you’re lucky the 90degree elbow will be the perfect height to the wall vent and to the dryers vent if not then that’s where you will use the extension just cut out The appropriate size needed obviously and insert into elbow Try and remember this ; always insert the pipe inside the one above and not the other way around otherwise you will end up with a whistle and your dryer won’t dry properly Do not use screws you’ll have to use aluminum tape And when you get to the oval section you just squeeze it in to fit into the oval you can bend the lip until you get it in don’t worry as long as it’s in and taped well it will function correctly Once you have a solid connection and it’s taped thoroughly the job is done! Remember no screws and seal it as air tight as you can with the metal foil tape and pipe inside upstream pipe Always no corrugated vents no cheap foil vents only solid hard metal allowed or preferred

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GothicGingerbread t1_ixfm9fr wrote

Wait, wait, wait. Do NOT use that flexible duct – it is a terrible fire hazard!!! https://youtu.be/RBxhb7tGd0I

Please, please, PLEASE, if you value your life, home, and belongings, go get rigid ducts.

Please also get aluminum tape to seal the joints.

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bwood247 t1_ixhfjcv wrote

That venting is fine, stop trying to scare OP.

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GothicGingerbread t1_ixhlndz wrote

I've trained as a home inspector. I – along with every home inspector I know – strongly advise against using flexible or semi-rigid dryer ducts. It's just advice, though, not a command.

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bwood247 t1_ixhmzzy wrote

It’s The way you worded it, it’s like as if the house will burn down and all their kids will die the first time they use it. Yes Rigid is way better and it’s what I would use if I were to redo my laundry. Ive worked on commercial laundry equipment for 13 years and have seen that flex in hundreds of locations, that type of flex is totally safe to use as long as it’s not kinked and installed properly.

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softhardcoder OP t1_ixfvnzs wrote

The one I have is semi-rigid and seems to be pretty similar to the last one tested in the video you shared which the guy says is fine.

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