Dryer Venting Through Roof: Is It Advisable
As a homeowner, you often have to make difficult decisions. One of the most difficult decisions to make is whether you should vent a dryer through the roof or the wall. Some people vent their dryers through the roof, and there are many who does this through an outside wall. But which is recommended?
The best way to vent a dryer is through the outside wall. Generally, it is not advisable to vent a dryer through the roof because it can cause moisture buildup and mold in the attic. and fire hazards due to blockage of roof vent and pipes as a result of lint collection.
But there are situations where venting through the roof is your only option.
Lets first see the reasons why venting a dryer through the roof is not advisable and how to do it properly if you have no other options.
Advantages Of Using Metal Dryer Vent Vent Duct Material
Watch out: Use rigid or semi-rigid metal dryer vent material : Virtually all independent authorities, including the US CPSC, Underwriters Laboratories, and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, and experienced home inspectors such as Cranor all recommend the use of rigid or semi-rigid metal ducting for clothes dryer exhaust venting.
And we prefer rigid, solid metal dryer vent ducting wherever possible. An acceptable alternative that is nearly as effective is semi-rigid metal duct work, though we have found that that material is easily dented, crushed, or damaged.
Metal ducts, having a smooth interior surface provide these advantages when used on clothes dryer systems:
- provide better air flow, smoother internal surface,
- slower accumulation of lint debris inside the duct system
- reduce dryer time and operating costs,
- are more fire safe,
- are less easily punctured and leaky,
- won’t sag due to weight of accumulating moisture or lint, and
- are easier to clean.
Best Types Of Roof Vents + Understanding Attic Ventilation
The best roof ventilation systems dont just extend the life of your roof, they help lower your homes energy bills and make your house an overall healthier place to live
Different types of roof vents are more effective than others, but each type of vent has the basic task of either removing stale air from your attic space or bringing fresh air into your home .
If you want to truly take advantage of the benefits of proper roof ventilation, then it is critical to have both intake and exhaust ventilation installed. However, in many cases it is not possible to have intake ventilation because of the homes architecture. In these cases, having only exhaust is better than nothing! But for the sake of discussion, we can assume your roofs design can structurally handle both intake and exhaust.
Before covering each type of roof vent available on the marketplace in 2020, lets first get an overview of the two styles of ventilation in general
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How You Can Clean On Your Own
If you want to clean out your vents yourself from time to time, you will do a similar process.
First of all, make sure the dryer is unplugged before you start cleaning.
Open the access panel in your dryer and vacuum around any debris that are inside the machine. You can also try to scrape and clean any debris from the main dryer vent.
But remember, this should replace professional dryer vent cleaning. You still need a professional to clean the places you cant get to.
Roof Dryer Vent Cleaning
Not many companies clean dryers and dryer vents, and even less will clean roof top dryer vents, we do it all for you to ensure safe, efficient drying. When you call in Dryer Vent Cleaner you are guaranteed a professional job. We alway provide photographs of what its like up there so you know what it was like before and after.
For roof Dryer Vent Cleaning in Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Hamilton, Ancaster and Mississauga call us today on 9059660838 or contact us
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Were Trained & Equipped To Repair & Install Or Re
Many of us know we need to have our dryer vents cleaned, but what if those dryer vents are improperly installed or damaged? What types of problems will you have and who can you trust to help?
Sometimes dryer vents function inefficiently and get dirtier, faster, because of the path they travel through the home. For years, the clothes dryer was installed against an outside wall of the home, typically in the basement, which meant the vent itself didnt cover much ground, and the lint and byproducts of combustion didnt have far to travel to reach the outside.
But with the desire to increase convenience, builders began placing clothes dryers in closets and hallways, and on second floors, oftentimes paying little regard to the laws of airflow and the path of the attached venting. Builders typically consider the path of the dryer vent as an afterthought, which can lead to a host of turns, twists, bends, rises, and dips, none of which are conducive to efficient airflow and venting.
This can cause a host of problems:
- Longer dry times
- Harder working and shorter-lived clothes dryers
- Increased fire and carbon monoxide hazards
- Higher utilities
Not only do we find long, winding, ineffective dryer vents, but we also find that many of these ducts are attached with simple duct tape. While duct tape may work for a while, heat and moisture can cause it to come loose.
Did you know that 1/3 of all dryer vents are improperly installed or vented? We want to get that number down to zero.
Difficulty With A Dryer Vent That Goes To The Roof
One of the biggest issues with a dryer vent going to the roof is that forcing lint from the base of the foundation out through a tube attached to the roof can be challenging. It is a long distance for the lint to travel and can make a mess of the roof.
The other difficulty is that the vents are multi-functional. The vents are meant to allow air to escape from your bathrooms and smaller areas of your house. So the lint gets stuck in the air vents as it travels upward and out to the roof vents.
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Why Cant I Just Clean The Dryer Vents Myself
You can. In fact, its a good idea to clean your dryer vents regularly. This will keep any buildups you cant reach as small as possible.
Because there will definitely be debris, you cant clean them out yourself.
You most likely dont have the same tools and training professional vent cleaners have, which will make it impossible for you to clean all the debris and clogs out from the vents completely.
Install The Dryer Vent
To add a duct elbow you will need to get on top of the roof. First of all, you will have to cover the hole perimeter with roofing tar. Next, remove any shingles or other pieces of material that could cover the hole. Add the pipe of the vent through the hole and place the flashing on the shingles.
During this installation, you will have to nail the flashing to the roof with nails of 1 inch, made especially for roofs. Make sure to cover the edges with tar and attach the cap. The cap of the vent will be attached according to the model you have but most of them just snap on and off with no struggle.
You will have to connect the tube of the vent to the dryer as well. Do this by securing the tube on the fittings that your dryer comes with and follow the instructions of the product as each dryer is different.
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How To Clean Dryer Vents
As with the dryer ducting, the dryer vent at the exterior can become clogged with lint over time, causing the dryer to dry less efficiently and resulting in dangerous house fires. To clean your dryer vent, remove the outside cover on the vent, and use a special lint brush with an extendable handle to clean the inside of the pipe.
Periodically check while the dryer is operating to make sure that the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open. Clean lint out of the vent pipe once a year. Learn how to clean your dryer vent in the video below. Please note this is not Ed.
Roof Dryer Vents Are Harder To Clean
One of the main issues with roof dryer vents is that they are difficult to clean since you will have to get on the roof to do that. Dryer vents need to be cleaned often to avoid lint build-up. So installing them on the roof makes the cleaning process difficult, making a person reluctant to clean it, which further leads to air blockage and even fire hazards. Therefore, it is always better to install the vent on an outside wall than on the roof.
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Stay On Top Of Dryer Vent Cleaning
Theres no reason to put it off. Dirty dryer vents could lead to serious accidents, and a simple cleaning is all you need to keep your house and family safe. It will also keep your dryer in good condition so it can dry your clothes quickly and easily.
Are you ready to get your dryer vents cleaned? Contact us, and well get you the help you need.
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Inspect The Exterior Vent
Your exterior vent could be located low to the ground or high near the roof on the exterior wall. If its near a roof on a building with multiple stories, its not going to be easy to access, so you can’t do any cleaning there. If, however, your exterior vent is near the ground, you can repeat the process of snaking the flexible rods through and drill brushing, only this time from the outside in.
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Hard Wired Powered Attic Vents
Powered attic vents are powered by a motor-powered fan and controlled by a switch or preferably a humidistat. The fans can circulate the air in the attic or similar confined space or move hot out of the area through a roof vent.
Powered attic vents are very well suited to applications where you need to expel high volumes of air. The powered vents are used extensively in factory or warehouse environments, often in conjunction with ridge vents.
The downside of this system is that the fan-created noise that may cause discomfort in some applications and, secondly, being hard-wired to the electrical supply, costs money to run.
Various designs of power attic vents are available for commercial and domestic use. Selecting which will suit your particular application may require advice from a professional.
A hard-wired powered attic vent is essentially just an exhaust vent. They require ample inlet vents to prevent a negative pressure buildup in the attic.
Powered attic vents often have a louver-type grid or downward-facing exhaust pipe that expels attic air from the roof, and at the same time, ensures that the opening in the roof remains weatherproof.
The Two Styles Of Ventilation
What is ventilation, anyway? According to Oxford, ventilation is the provision of fresh air to a room, building, etc.
Its out with the old and in with the new . In roofing just like in life, this is very refreshing and important strategy to have!
Understanding how air naturally moves helps us realize why both intake and exhaust play a critical role in a roofs venting ability. And knowing how the two work hand-in-hand is important before choosing which of types of roof vent systems are best for your home and budget.
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Why Invest In Dryer Vent Care
Why invest in dryer vent care? Well, even if youre religious about emptying your lint trap, a lot of lint will end up in your dryer vents. Even if theres only 1/2 buildup of lint, efficiency is cut by just under 40%, which means youll be running your dryer for longer to accomplish the same job. Not only will this waste time and energy and make your clothes dryer work harder, but since lint is flammable, it can also cause a dryer vent fire.
Preventable, lint-related dryer vent fires account for more than $500 million in property damage and an average of 100 injuries every year here in the U.S.
On top of that, lint-filled dryer vents are a health hazard. Gas appliances produce carbon monoxide, and if the vent is clogged or blocked, this dangerous gas can make its way into your home and harm you and your family.
These same problems can arise if the venting is improperly installed or if ducts are damaged or loose. But with regular dryer vent cleanings and proper installation, youll enjoy lower fire risk, lower risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and lower energy bills.
Dryer Safety Tips: Keeping Your Dryer Vent Clean And More
The secret to keeping your dryer exhaust vent consistently clean lies in the lint trap. Make sure to remove any dryer lint from it every time you run the dryer while doing a load of laundry, especially if you use dryer sheets. This is critical. Not only will this help you maintain a clean dryer vent, it will keep the entire dryer running smoothly, improve your machines drying time, and decrease the risk of house fires.
In addition to simply keeping it clean, its also recommended that you never run a dryer unattended. Never turn on a load and leave the house. If youre not home and a dryer fire starts, it can wreak havoc before someone notices and calls the fire department.
Last but not least, always give your dryer room to breathe. Putting clutter and storage items on or around a dryer is definitely a fire hazard you want to avoid.
Dont forget to clean out your lint trap regularly.
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Dryer Vent Specialists In Phoenix
In newer homes, it is common to put the laundry equipment on the second floor of a two-story house. Unless the laundry room is directly next to an exterior wall, the builders may not have any choice except to vent the dryer exhaust through the ceiling. If youre having a new home built, we recommend that you request a dryer vent installation with horizontal airflow.
Re-doing your laundry setup to vent through the side of the house may not be an option for you, and that isnt the end of the world. As long as you stay on top of things with regular cleaning, you shouldnt experience any problems. So remember if you are thinking about venting your dryer through the roof, its probably not the best option and you should consider contacting a professional. At A-Z Air Duct we are dryer vent specialists! We and can help you assess the potential risks of your vent. Contact us today with any questions!
How To Calculate The Amount Of Ventilation You Need
Please note: the following provides advice for homes with ventilated attics. There are some styles of vaulted ceiling homes or flat roof homes that have ventilation spaces within the roof itself, and no attic. These ventilation needs are calculated differently.
The key to proper ventilation of your roof and attic is balance: the amount of space you devote to intake must be equal to the amount you allow for exhaust, and these must be calculated according to the size of your attic and slope of your roof.
You can calculate attic ventilation requirements by determining the square footage of your attic floor , and compare that to the total required net free area . Vents are rated by their net free area, or the amount of space for air to flow in or out. This helps make it easy to calculate how many vents you need for your attic, once youve determined your requirements.
If your attic floor has a vapor barrier, you will need one square foot of NFA per every 300 square feet of attic floor area . If there is no vapor barrier, double it to one square foot of NFA for every 150 square feet of attic floor space . These are broad guidelines, so be sure to check with your local building code.
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Roofers Using Wrong Roof Vents Could Lead To A Dryer Fire
It is not fair to say roofers cannot read, but when a dryer roof vent says Do Not Use This Model for Dryer Venting it does make one wonder! Here at dryer vent cleaner we can only assume that when roofs are shingled or re-shingled they do not always know which vent is the dryer vent. Its not hard to determine but when under pressure to get the job done it can get over looked. However after re-shingling its easier to determine as lint is normally present in the vent.
The Moisure Drainage Can Be A Hassle
Dryer vents installed on the roof go vertical compared to a wall vent parallel to the ceiling. There is always the chance of moisture condensation in the vent pipes. A wall vent is normally pitched to the outside to drain any water as a result of condensation. However, for roof vents, the condensed water will move back into the dryer since the whole piping is installed vertically. This can be troublesome.
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