I don't recommend that though, the screen is there for your protection from vermin. If there is no flapper inside you are opening yourself up to getting mice and birds into your home and dryer and sometimes the flapper sticks open from the lint..
Screens on dryer vents trap lint and cause reduced air flow. This will cause your clothes dryer to be inefficient and wear out prematurely. A bad dryer vent obstruction can cause a fire. Planet Duct technicians remove the screens to restore proper air flow.
Definitely use a vent cover. Any mesh will collect lint, and if not cleaned, eventually cause a blockage and may start a fire. At least the fire won't be inside the house, but it still could catch the house on fire if close enough.
Screens shall not be installed at the duct termination. Inspectors will see many dryer vents terminate in crawlspaces or attics where they deposit moisture, which can encourage the growth of mold, wood decay, or other material problems.
When clothing tumbles around in the dryer, the agitation and high heat cause clothing, towels, and linens to shed some of their fibers. The lint screen catches many of these fibers to prevent obstructing the dryer vent hose.
Don't try to use your dryer without the lint filter because this may also cause a fire. Your dryer needs this so that it can work properly. This will ensure each dry cycle will be much less of a fire hazard and will dry your clothes faster and safer.
All dryers come equipped with a lint trap and screen to keep the ductwork and exhaust free from debris. Poor airflow can hurt system efficiency, possibly leading to longer dry times and higher energy usage. Along with heat, dryers require good airflow to efficiently dry laundry.
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.
Look for a rigid metal (aluminum or galvanized steel) exhaust duct connecting the transition duct to the exhaust duct outlet terminal. 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).
Running a traditional dryer without a vent is not recommended due to significant safety risks and inefficiency. However, ventless dryers, like condenser or heat pump models, are specifically designed to operate without external ventilation and can offer some benefits in the right circumstances.
Most dryers have a flap at the end of the vent. The flap stays closed when the dryer isn't running. This prevents outdoor air from getting into your home. A jammed exhaust flap prevents the exhaust gases from leaving your home.
Every exhaust vent requires some sort of outside cover. The outdoor wall cap can also be a source of problems. It provides another spot where lint can become trapped, and block the proper transfer of air. Some vent hoods are equipped with screens to keep animals out.
The most durable type of exterior wall vent cover is the type made of metal with a magnetic door or damper that remains closed when the dryer is not in use.
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.
Dryer ventilation systems should terminate to the home's exterior and have a proper exterior cover to help prevent water, birds, insects, etc. from entering the duct. The IRC also specifically forbids having an exterior screen installed on the dryer vent, like the vent shown to the right.
M1502.
5 code, the construction of a dryer duct has to be a minimum of 0.4 mm thick with a smooth interior. This means ribbed vents are no longer being used. Additionally, all duct joints must point in the direction of airflow.
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.
Exhaust ducts must have a smooth interior finish and must be made from metal that is a minimum of 0.016-inch thick. This is approximately 27 gauge steel, but you'll only find 26 gauge steel. The duct size must be 4 inches in diameter. No more, no less.
Dry Vent Rules
Any dry vent must rise at least 6 in. vertically above the flood rim of the fixture before turning horizontally or connecting to a vertical vent pipe. The horizontal run must be sloped to allow any condensation that forms within the pipe to run back to the drain.
A dryer exhaust system with good airflow should push 1,500 feet per minute (or 8 meters per second). If back pressure is within a normal range and airflow velocity is less than 1,500 feet per minute, then a leak or mechanical issue may be the culprit.
You should never run any type of dryer without a lint trap since it can lead to several serious issues, including the following.
If your dryer is not collecting lint, it can indicate potential larger issues. After a drying cycle, lint should be visible on the lint screen. If not, the lint may be backing up in your dryer or creating an obstruction. Both of these increase the risk of overheating and fire.
Dryer exhaust ducts for clothes dryers shall terminate on the outside of the building and shall be equipped with a backdraft damper. Screens shall not be installed at the duct termination. Ducts shall not be connected or installed with sheet metal screws or other fasteners that will obstruct the exhaust flow.