How to Replace Dryer Vents & Piping

Dryer vents and piping are used to remove the warm and humid air from the dryer to the exterior of the building. For dryers that burn natural gas to make heat, they also move toxic combustion gases outside. After time, the vent hood and piping may need replacement because of corrosion. Pipes corroded on the inside can trap excessive lint and may leak the dryer exhaust into the building. With a few tools, it is fairly easy to replace dryer vents and piping.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Screwdriver
• Utility knife
• Cordless drill
• 4-inch galvanized sheet metal piping
• 4-inch galvanized sheet metal elbows
• 3-inch foil aluminum tape
• Snips
• Pipe crimper
• Exterior silicone caulk
• Caulk gun

Instructions

1. Measure the length of dryer vent piping so that you can purchase the correct amount of new material. Count how many elbows are in the run also.

2. Remove the dryer vent piping from the dryer to the dryer vent hood. It should be just taped together, so slicing the tape at each seam with a utility knife should allow you to pull the pipe apart.

3. Remove the dryer vent hood from the outside wall. Unscrew it, break the caulk bead and pull it out of the wall.

4. Insert the new dryer vent hood into the hole from the outside in and secure to the wall with screws. Caulk around it with a high-quality exterior silicone caulk, using a caulk gun.

5. Install the dryer vent piping from the dryer to the dryer vent hood. Connect each piece of pipe together by sliding the crimped end of one piece into the non-crimped end of the next piece. Secure them together with 3-inch foil aluminum tape.

6. Cut pipe as necessary with your snips and crimp one end of the cut piece with your pipe crimper so that it can be connected to the next piece. Use elbows as necessary to make twists and turns.

Tips & Warnings

• Stay away from screws and pop rivets in dryer vent piping. They can trap lint in the pipe and cause a possible fire.

• Wear gloves when handling dryer vent piping. Some edges can be extremely sharp and cause serious cuts.

References

• Reader's Digest: How To Install A New Dryer Vent
• Timothy Gonyo; Sheet Metal Workers Local 18; Milwaukee, Wisconsin