How to Vent to a Dryer on Interior Walls

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Things You'll Need

  • Electronic stud finder

  • Drill

  • Long 1/4-inch bit

  • Dryer venting cap for an exterior wall, with attached vent tube

  • Hole-saw bit of the same size as the vent tube (generally, 4 inches across)

  • Screwdriver

  • Caulk

  • Vent hose to fit the vent tube and the dryer

  • Duct tape

Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

When your dryer dries clothes, it expels moist air and lint through the vent hole of the dryer. This material will quickly create moisture and dust problems for your laundry room, and even potential health problems, if it isn't vented outside. You can learn how to vent a dryer on interior walls in many ways, but for the do-it-yourselfer, a simple interior-exterior wall vent is the best solution because you don't have to cut into your roof. Talk to your local home-improvement store about getting the proper venting supplies.

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Step 1

Locate the spot in your laundry area on the interior wall where you want to vent your dryer to the exterior. In an unfinished basement, choose a flat expanse between two joists. In a finished room, use your electronic stud finder to locate the studs and go between them. Make sure it will be at least 24 inches off the ground outside and away from any electrical sources.

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Step 2

Load your drill with a 1/4-inch bit. Drill a pilot hole through the wall to the outside where you want to vent the dryer.

Step 3

Re-load your drill with its 4-inch hole saw bit. Take it outside, find the pilot hole and use it to center the hole saw. Cut the hole all the way through the wall.

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Step 4

Put a line of caulk around the back of the vent cap. Slide the vent tube in through the hole and press the back of the vent cap to the wall, so the caulk sticks. Secure the vent cap to the wall with the screws and screwdriver, making sure the opening of the vent cap is facing down. Caulk the perimeter of the cap.

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Step 5

Go back inside. Run a bead of caulk around the point at which the tube comes into the wall, sealing the opening. Attach the vent hose to the vent tube using duct tape. Attach the other end of the vent hose to the dryer.

Warning

Wear eye protection when drilling through the wall.

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