It works just fine and never gives us any trouble. We just fill it with water and connect the dryer duct. The water in the bucket collects the lint, and we change the water from time to time.
Dryer Vents should not exit into 'bucket' systems (see photo below), crawl spaces, basements, attics, or other indoor areas. Dryer vents should always exit to the outside.
If there's no external venting, this lint can build up inside the dryer or ducts, increasing the risk of a fire hazard. Air Quality Issues: The air released from a non-vented dryer can contain pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other irritants, which can degrade indoor air quality.
You can take a bucket fabricate a top, cut a hole in it for the vent pipe, drill many holes around the top for the air to escape then put some water in the bucket with about 4--6'' below the end of the vent pipe? Do not submerge the vent into the water. The exhaust simply blows over the water.
The preferred method (check your local code for details) is to vent vertically with metal vent tubing (mine is 7'' round; there is also a 3 1/4 x 10``) with a minimum of bends, preferably with at least a 24'' run between them...
The exhaust duct should be rigid metal 4 inches in diameter and no more than 35 feet in length or as specified by the duct manufacturer. This length should be decreased by 2.5 feet for every 45-degree bend the duct makes and 5 feet for every 90-degree bend the duct makes.
DO NOT terminate dryer vents in crawl spaces or attics. Dryer vents that terminate in crawl spaces or attics allow for moisture to deposit and encourage mold growth and health hazards.
A vent bucket can trap some or most of the moisture and lint, but it cannot catch all of it. What's more, the vent bucket depends on continued maintenance of the water level. If the water is spilled out or if it is lost by evaporation, the bucket becomes useless.
In situations where outdoor venting is not an available option, the vent bucket serves as an efficient indoor solution. It collects lint and moisture, ensuring they do not disperse throughout your living area. It is particularly convenient for apartments or temporary setups.
Install a Temporary Dryer Vent Hose
Equip your dryer with a temporary aluminum hose that can channel warm air, lint, and gases outside the home. In this way, the indoor air remains safe to breathe, and the dryer itself can operate with increased efficiency. A simple dryer hose can make a huge difference!
Luckily, for those of us who do not have the time, tools, or expertise to do such a job, there is an extremely easy to install and affordable window vent that will have you up and running in a few minutes. This product is called the Window Dryer Vent, and it is as easy to install as a window fan.
While it is possible to use a dryer without a vent pipe, it is not advised. Lint buildup in your dryer, a potential fire risk, will occur without a vent hose or duct. Additionally, all gas dryers release the dangerous gas carbon monoxide. Electric dryers can also release harmful gases if the lint catches fire.
A summary of the typical codes relating the dryer venting is as follows: Dryer vent systems shall be independent of all other systems and shall convey the moisture to the outdoors. Terminations shall be a minimum of three feet from property line and 12" above the ground and not exhibit any type of screen.
Limited Use: It's crucial to note that indoor dryer vents should only be used with electric clothes dryers. Using them with gas dryers can lead to dangerous emissions like carbon monoxide being released into your home.
A vented tumble dryer removes moisture through a vent that can be fitted to an external wall, or through a hose. But you must bear in mind that if you are going to purchase a vented tumble dryer you need to ensure that you place the dryer near an external wall or window.
In a pinch, you can vent your dryer out a window. Someone might do this if they're building a house and currently waiting for professional dryer installation or if they own a portable clothes dryer.
A condenser dryer is a common type of ventless dryer that takes in cooler air from the laundry room and warms it similarly to a vented dryer. Instead of expelling the heated air through a hose, it utilizes a heat exchanger to cool it down.
Here's a quick rundown: If you can't vent your dryer outside, there's a risk of fires due to lint buildup, a chance for mold to grow, your laundry room might get too hot, and drying times could increase, possibly causing damage to your clothes and higher energy bills.
Route the dryer vent horizontally to the home's outside wall. Duct work should pitch 1/4-inch per foot to the outside. This keeps moisture out of the pipe. For basement laundry areas where your ductwork will run vertically to the outside wall, you may need to use 90-degree elbows.
Some dryer vent installations also have an external lint trap, which is also known as a secondary dryer lint trap or a 4″ In-Line Dryer Lint Trap.
Not having a dryer vent is extremely dangerous and can cause more problems for you down the road. A dryer vent traps debris and moist air. Without a dryer vent, you are causing increased fire hazards and encouraging the growth of mold in your laundry room. Also, gas dryers release carbon monoxide, which is poison.
Wrapping Up. To sum it up, while it's technically possible to run a dryer without the vent hose, it's strongly advised against due to safety hazards like gas buildup, increased fire risk, and potential health issues.
A rigid metal duct tends to be the best type of dryer vent hose.