How to Mount a Dryer Vent on Vinyl Siding

Properly venting a clothes dryer removes lots of hot air.

Your clothes dryer must be properly vented to prevent hot air from being released into your home. If your venting hasn't been done properly, or you've moved into a new home that doesn't have a dryer vent, the situation must be corrected. Fortunately, if your home has vinyl siding, installing a vent properly is relatively easy.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Power drill
• 4 1/4-inch hole saw
• Tape measure
• Duct hose
• Silicone caulking
• Caulking gun
• 4 wood screws
• Metal tape

Instructions

1. Mark the area for the installation on the inside and outside walls. Measure from the common wall inside the home, and transfer this measurement to the exterior wall of the home.

2. Translate the internal measurement to the common wall on the outside of the home, and make a mark with a pencil. Double-check the measurements for accuracy.

3. Place the pipe side of the dryer vent centered on the vinyl siding. Place it in a position so the dryer vent hood will sit flat against the vinyl siding. Trace the pipe so that you have a 4-inch hole traced on the exterior of your home. Drill a pilot hole, using a drill and small drill bit.

4. Drill out the hole, using a drill with a 4 1/4-inch hole saw attached, and firmly hold the drill level while drilling. This will prevent the hole saw from binding against the wood or catching.

5. Pass the dryer vent through the hole, and flush the vent against the siding. Level the dryer vent with a small carpenter's level. Mark the screw holes with a pencil, and remove the dryer vent. Drill the holes a little bigger through the siding than the wood screws. Try to leave the wood untouched, as this will give the siding room to contract or expand throughout the year.

6. Place the dryer vent back through the hole, and line up the pre-drilled holes with the holes in the vent. Use the four wood screws included with the dryer vent to secure the dryer vent to the house. Apply silicone caulk to all four sides of the vent and the screws, using a caulk gun, to keep water from entering.

7. Attach the dryer hose to the dryer vent on the inside of the house. Tape both ends of the connection with metal tape to ensure a tight seal.

References

• Home Depot: Installing a Dryer Vent