Running a dryer vent inside a wall seems like something that could be potentially dangerous. You may think that having the hot air leaving the dryer through a vent inside a wall is a fire hazard, but that’s not necessarily the case.
A dryer vent can go inside a wall safely if the vent still allows for adequate airflow. The vent needs plenty of room to fit inside the wall, or issues will develop over time. The vent must be structurally sound and sealed for the hot air to flow through.
In this article, I’ll explain in further detail when it is appropriate to run your dryer vent inside and when it is not a good idea to do that. I’ll also review some tips and details about properly placing your dryer vent.
When Is It Okay To Have a Dryer Vent Inside a Wall?
Sometimes because of the location of the dryer hook-up in your home, you will need to run the dryer vent through a wall.
This is a common issue in older homes that may not be built to current building code standards.
As long as the dryer vent has enough room to fit inside the wall comfortably and is free of obstruction, it is perfectly fine to have the dryer vent inside the wall.
The ideal situation, in this case, is to have the vent inside a wall that leads directly to the home’s exterior.
This is so that heat does not build up inside the wall.
The vent inside an exterior wall is the best way to help the heat dissipate when the dryer is in use.
If the dryer vent has enough room and is inside an exterior wall, you have nothing to worry about.
Even if you cannot get the vent inside an outer wall, it will be fine inside an interior wall as long as it is not crushed or squeezed.
You want the vent to have plenty of room around it so the airflow can be as efficient as possible.
Strong airflow through the vent is another way to help heat dissipation.
It is OK to have insulation or drywall surrounding the vent inside the wall as long as it has been properly sealed.
You do not want any of the hot air to escape the vent if it is surrounded by flammable materials.
Having a very well-sealed vent also aids in solid airflow.
The best thing to do if you need to run your dryer vent inside a wall is to have a well-sealed vent inside a thick exterior wall with plenty of room.
When You Shouldn’t Put Your Dryer Vent Inside a Wall
Running your dryer vent inside a wall is generally very safe to do, but certain factors can make it unsafe to have the vent running inside a wall.
Having a dryer vent inside an interior wall is not a complete deal breaker, but it is not ideal either.
The air will have to travel farther to reach outside the home.
You will likely need a lot of dryer vent hose for this as well, which can get expensive.
Another situation in which you should not place a dryer vent inside a wall is if your dryer does not vent to the outside.
This is especially true if your dryer runs on gas.
Gas dryers are rare nowadays since electric dryers are much more prevalent, so you probably won’t need to worry about this.
You should also avoid putting your dryer vent inside a wall if the wall is too thin.
Most dryer hoses have a diameter of four inches or ten centimeters.
If you want to run your dryer vent inside a wall, the wall must be at least two inches or five centimeters larger than the hose itself.
This can be a difficult task as most walls in your home will be two by four inches or five by ten centimeters.
This is much too small for your dryer hose to fit inside.
If the dryer hose is squished or crushed by forcing it into a wall that is too small, the dryer will not vent properly, leading to excess moisture, which can cause mildew and mold.
The extra humidity created by a dryer that is not vented correctly can also damage the wood in your walls and floors.
Conclusion
If you need to vent your dryer inside a wall, you don’t need to worry about burning your house down by drying a load of clothes.
A dryer vent inside a wall is perfectly safe if it is done correctly.
The wall must be much larger than the vent hose so that the hose will not be crushed.
The hose needs plenty of room so that it can allow the hot air to escape in an efficient manner that allows for maximum heat dissipation.
Cheers, tools owners!
