Dryer Vent Cover Installation

Although not technically part of my basement insulation job this dryer vent cover had an impact on some of the rim joist insulation and needed to be replaced.
Here is a link to international Mechanical Codes:
codes.iccsafe.org/content/IMC2021P1/chapter-5-exhaust-systems
You can also check this out at my website: diynorth.com/projects/home-projects/outdoor-projects-2/dryer-vent-cap-installation/
Tools and equipment used:
Tape Measure - amzn.to/3FRWxfl
Drill - amzn.to/32wvMP2
Multi Tool - amzn.to/3p6ScOr
Caulking Gun - amzn.to/319noVs
Spray Foam - amzn.to/3G9XTSG
Dryer Vent Cover - amzn.to/3rCIRRh
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of DIYNorth, DIYNorth cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. DIYNorth assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. DIYNorth recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of DIYNorth, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not DIYNorth.

[@jamesclaeys3192]

It is a violation of the IRC to use screws that protrude into the inside of a dryer duct pipe. Reason is they will pick up and collect lint. Use a flush rivet or even better an external worm drive hose clamp. Seal the joint with a high temperature foil tape labeled for the application. Not all foil tapes are the same, you must use the one that is labeled for the application.

[@DIYNorth]

These are very good points, however not exactly correct. The 2021 International Mechanical Code 504.9.2 does allow for penetration of screws up to 1/8th of an inch into the duct cavity (the current international residential code says the same thing). I'm far more concerned about how mashed up my ducting is closer to the dryer. When I redo the laundry room in the coming weeks I will be replacing much of that ducting. Yes use the correct foil tape. codes.iccsafe.org/content/IMC2021P1/chapter-5-exhaust-systems

[@aayotechnology]

Also the flexible duct at the dryer shouldn’t be used. Replace with hard duct

[@DIYNorth]

I've never seen a hard duct connect directly to a dryer before. I assume that would be pretty hard to move the dryer without a flexible connection.

[@lindacrowley5315]

We're getting ready to do this. Thank you for posting this video. Well explained and very helpful!

[@DIYNorth]

Thanks for watching

[@anth-5951]

wow, it looks so much nicer now. Thanks for the video

[@DIYNorth]

It was a pretty low cost improvement. It works better too.

[@axtell1966]

Nice work!

[@DIYNorth]

Thanks for checking it out.

[@Ritopher]

Nice job!! I will be doing this very soon so I wanted to see a good “how to” video. Thanks for posting this!!

[@DIYNorth]

Thanks for watching.

[@nwk2VGtxbs26_eiXlo2wnQ]

Great video, just what I was looking for.

[@DIYNorth]

Thanks for watching.

[@jamiemccormick1574]

i also have a bosch multitool. makes the job so much easier

[@DIYNorth]

It's a tool I dont use often, but it's an absolute life saver in rare circumstances. A great buy for anyone getting into more challenging jobs.

[@mjm70x]

Wow! Easy peasy. Thank you!

[@DIYNorth]

Thanks for watching

[@MaximumDIYGarage]

Great job!

[@DIYNorth]

Thanks

[@carvalhonj]

Very good job👏🏼

[@DIYNorth]

Thanks for watching

[@lostmagicofdisney]

Getting ready to do this very thing. Only...we have brick siding and our vent traverses between the upper and lower floors. 🤨 Yikes!

[@DIYNorth]

Good luck. I'm sure you will be successful

[@donniewiggs8749]

Should put a vent trap where it goes up

[@DIYNorth]

There is one. There is also a flat which sort of works as well.

[@hawafrky6159]

If the house made of bricks all this hard work will not exist

[@DIYNorth]

I dont know of very many modern solid brick houses in canada, even brick houses here are generally just a brick veneer. I think it would be wrong to think that a brick house doesnt have maintenance requirements, and in some cases significant maintenance requirements.

[@S2DIOfficial]

My house is brick/concrete, but it's about 18" thick and poorly drilled. It varies from 4" wide to 3" wide, and it slopes down towards the end. Whoever renovated this complex was a dumbass. Everything about my apartment was half-assed, from the utility room, to the appliances, to the the flooring, to the windows, and I could keep going but I better not. I'd love to move, but I can't afford it as a college student. Biden's America is truly a shithole.

[@jeffgerst3619]

I’m working with a guy who purchased two of these but the vent cover tube is the same size as the vent tube he roughed in inside the house so I’m at a lose as to how he expects these two to connect together

[@DIYNorth]

not sure. sounds like a bit of a dilemma.

[@joshmehlman9394]

Is it safer to replace the inside tube or try to clean it out? How do you clean through it? Thanks

[@DIYNorth]

I'm actually going to replace my dryer tube in the coming months as it is really mashed up, but generally speaking I don't thing replacement is required. to clean mine I just run my shop vac hose through it because the run is very short from the dryer to the wall.

[@gregdeguerre8804]

You can get a flexible dryer vent brush that goes in a drill and spins with the drill at Home Depot. It’s a pretty long flexible cable so it will go around bends in the duct. Kinda like a chimney sweep brush, but only 4” if you’re familiar with those.

[@Yo-yo-dt5ze]

Now I see the importance of having a vent cover installed my previous landlord did not install vent covers which led me to have rodents and all kind of pest in insects in my house that he denied me having I eventually had to move because there was so much moisture in my house that caused me to get sick from mold and also the house had termites before I moved in

[@DIYNorth]

that is unfortunate.

[@bowold3976]

Yea never want to use screws on dryer vents bad idea

[@DIYNorth]

They aren't allowed for natural gas driers

[@freemanmt]

How about bees and wasps and mice ? How do you prevent them from entering? I don't see any fine mesh .

[@DIYNorth]

I've never seen a dryer vent cover with fine mesh on it but maybe one exists somewhere. There is a plastic flap that fully closes when the dryer is off, and lifts up from the air pressure when the dryer is on. I use my dryer frequently enough that I really doubt anything could live in there for any period of time.

[@gregdeguerre8804]

Fine mesh will plug up with lint in not time at all and cause the dryer to 1 not dry clothes, 2 vent moisture inside the house causing mold, and 3 increase your risk of fire AND carbon monoxide if it’s a natural gas or propane dryer. ☠️

[@madhukotecha1217]

I need this done who can I contact n how much

[@DIYNorth]

It probably depends on where you live. Any "handy-man" should be able to pull this off with no issue. I would think that this is a 1 hour job. 2 hours at most. I don't know what people charge to do this kind of work.

[@jamartin005]

Should really take that cage off the hood they get clogged fast

[@DIYNorth]

it actually broke off in the winter when I cleaned it.....so problem solved.

[@jamartin005]

@@DIYNorth perfect lol

[@ptoberg1]

They keep rodents out so just clean it regularly.

[@dutchcountryman1290]

I'm not about to fork out the cash for an "oscillating tool". What do you recommend instead?

[@DIYNorth]

I dont really know what tools you have. Maybe a dremel with a small cutting wheel. If you are just cutting vinyl maybe a utility knife and scissors.

[@gregdeguerre8804]

Just cut the old caulking with a utility knife. Then scrape the rest of the caulking off with a putty knife or a scraper of some sort.

[@wizeminds799]

Self tapper no good

[@DIYNorth]

They are allowed as long as they don't penetrate too far into the duct.