Do It Yourself

Dryer Vent Installation

Take a look behind your dryer at the exhaust vent. Is it corrugated? Is it plastic? If it's either, or both, you're looking at a potential problem that needs remedying. The problems are these: corrugation slows the air flow from the dryer, and plastic vents are dangerous. Over time, corrugated vents tend to accumulate lint, which compounds the slowed airflow and, worse yet, can start fires in some systems, especially those with plastic vents. Thus, you need to dismantle the corrugated tubing and vacuum it out every season or so, which is a time-consuming process that no one ever thinks about.

To fix this problem you should install a smooth-wall metal or aluminum dryer vent which directs air outside much faster -- this results in speedier loads and lowered utility bills. Though the upgrade may take a few hours, in the long term it pays off.

Tools and Materials:

• Periscope box vent (available at most hardware stores)
• Two vent-connection kits (designed to fit a wide range of spaces)
• Screwdriver
• Duct tape (for unforeseen leaks or gaps)
• Start by unplugging the dryer and turning off the gas valve (if applicable).

Unclamp the corrugated pipe from the dryer and the exhaust vent that goes outside, vacuuming up loose lint and dirt in the process.

Next, attach the periscope vent firmly to the dryer's air-outflow duct by re-tightening the band clamp with a screw.

Extend the periscope vent in the direction of the duct going outside. (Typically, this means extending the vent straight up, but in some cases you may need to run it horizontally to one side of the dryer.)

At this point, you need to connect the periscope vent with the exterior vent. Start by attaching the flexible vent from vent-connection kit to the periscope vent, using the band clamps in the kit. Attach another such vent to the exterior duct.

Now, just push the flexible vents together -- they should snap into place, or connect with yet another band clamp.

All that's left is turning on the dryer and making sure the whole system works: Check all the joints of the system to make sure they're airtight; then step outside and check the exterior duct. If everything's fine then toss in a load and relax on the sofa.