Venting a dryer through the roof should be your last option, if possible. You almost always want it to go through sidewall vents, which are less likely to get clogged and are usually much easier to access. Even if your dryer is placed on a floor other than the ground floor, you can still manage a sidewall vent.
Venting a dryer through the roof is possible, but there are important considerations to remember. This method can be practical when sidewall venting isn't an option due to your building's layout. However, overall, sidewall venting is considered the safer option.
Posted on : March 21, 2023
Roof dryer vents play a crucial role in the overall functionality of a home's ventilation system. They are installed on the roof to allow hot and moist air from the dryer to escape.
M1502.
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.
Do I Need One? Warm, dry dryer vents provide a very attractive spot for mice to hunker down or for birds to build their nests, but this can trigger clogging, bad smells, inefficiency, fire hazards, gas leaks, and more. Fortunately, dryer vent screens can play a role in preventing these issues. …
The cost of installing or replacing a dryer vent is $200 on average, or between $140 and $600, depending on labor and material costs. New dryer vent installation costs $200 on average, or between $140 and $600 if you add ducting through an exterior wall. A dryer vent replacement costs between $100 and $300.
Since the vent is on the roof, it's easy to overlook, but your vent can have a lint blockage, causing the vent to clog. There are a few ways to prevent your roof vent from clogging and unclogging it when there's dust and other debris.
Venting from the roof is not an amazing option because of the higher likelihood of obstructions due to animal activity and longer ducts. But sometimes it's the only option. Make sure you don't have a dryer vent into your attic; it should go all the way outside through a system designed specifically for roofs.
Per the requirements of the International Residential Code, Section M1502 (2009-2021 IRC), the clothes dryer exhaust duct should be a rigid or semi-rigid metal duct made of galvanized steel or galvanized aluminum with a smooth interior finish and a duct diameter of 4 inches.
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.
Roof vents create proper air flow, which reduces moisture that can build up inside an attic. Extra, unneeded moisture can damage almost any and every area of your roof. Also, attics without proper ventilation see mold grow as moisture is not expelled.
Using a sturdy ladder, access the dryer roof vent cover, remove it, and set it aside. Insert the cleaning brush into the vent pipe and rotate it to dislodge any lint or debris. After brushing, attach the vacuum hose to the vent opening and remove any loosened debris.
Some places or building codes may not allow indoor dryer vents due to safety concerns, so check your local rules.
Roof Jacks are used to receive and cover venting duct pipe from kitchen and bath fans, and for attic ventilation. Our strong steel design provides maximum leak protection with a press-sealed built-in roof flashing. Vent caps provide protection from rain, snow and debris.
Dryer vents often go unnoticed and untouched until they become a problem. Venting a dryer through a roof only increases the odds of an accident occurring and makes it more difficult to prevent it. It's almost always better to relocate it through a side wall at the ground level.
In most states, indoor dryer vents are not legal. Colorado's residential code, for example, initially states that dryers must be vented according to manufacturer instructions, which could allow for indoor or outdoor venting. The next section, however, says that dryer exhaust vents shall convey moisture outdoors.
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. This then ensures that you can have a vent fixed through the wall to allow the moisture to escape outside.
Termination of dryer venting must be to the exterior with a proper hood or roof cap equipped with a backdraft damper. Small orifice metal screening should not be part of the hood or roof cap as this will catch lint and block the opening in a very short time.
The flexible nature and expandable configuration allow most installs to occur without any modification to the duct or the wall penetration. A pair of jumbo zip ties and you're good to go…at least for a few months until all of the internal bumps and ridges begin to clog with lint.
Be sure to keep 90-degree bends to a minimum. Every 90-degree bend is the equivalent of ten feet of vent run. Never install a dryer vent which has a bend greater than 90 degrees. Sharp bends restrict airflow and will lead to excessive lint buildup.
Also known as a roof vent cap or roof vent cover, a roof dryer vent safely expels warm, moist air and lint particles from your dryer to the outdoors through the roof of your home.
Heat Damage
Your dryer's exhaust has a great deal of heat in it. Even though the exhaust will send much of that outside, the metal of the vent itself is still quite hot and does affect the things it touches. Adding heat to your attic space, which usually has unprotected insulation, is a bad idea.
A proper hood or a roof cap equipped with a backdraft damper must be at the termination of dryer venting. Metal screen with small orifice openings should not block the hood or roof cap, as this blocks the opening by catching lint. This happens quickly.