How to Attach a Clothes Dryer Vent to Blow Outside

Dryer vent mounted on wood siding.

Venting your dryer to the outside removes the fire hazard associated with having the lint from your dryer exhausted indoors and accumulating. Venting outdoors also prevents the humidity buildup that can cause mold and mildew to grow inside your laundry area.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Flexible duct hose
• 2 rigid duct elbows
• 2 vent duct hose clamps
• Dryer duct elbow
• Basic dryer exhaust vent kit
• 4-inch hole saw

Instructions

Installing Dryer Vent

1. 

   Attach a flexible dryer duct to the back of the dryer exhaust outlet, using a screwdriver for the hose clamps. Don't over-tighten the screws but make sure they are snug. If it's more convenient, use a rigid elbow to help direct the flexible ducting.

2. 

   Cut a 4-inch hole in the exterior wall in the desired location and attach the exterior vent assembly to the wall. This is where you mount your exterior vent assembly so that you can connect your duct pipe from the inside. This may be done at any level or location that's closest to the dryer. The ideal is to have the vent as near the level of the dryer as possible to avoid overworking the dryer exhaust motor.

3. 

   Connect the flexible vent duct to the exterior vent assembly, using the vent duct hose clamps and screwdriver. You can use rigid duct elbows if it's more convenient.

4. Check all connections to ensure there are no leaks and no sharp bends in the flexible duct material. The latter can block or constrict the exhaust flow from the dryer to the outside dryer vent duct.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the dryer exhaust before installing the ducting.

• Don't try to run the ducting material adjacent to, on top of, or under any flammable materials. The dryer duct gets hot and can create a fire hazard.