How to Keep Critters Out of a PVC Vent Pipe

If you want to keep birds and other critters out of a PVC vent pipe, you could have your dog guard the pipe, but there's a better way.

[@mts7274]

Okay, so now I gotta go out and buy an angle grinder, a more powerful drill, and a 3" hole saw...

[@efish991]

Where can I buy the mesh? I need a specific link - because none of the sites I’ve looked into have this fine of a mesh. I’m hoping to find a custom amount.

[@jimmychow4917]

You can use FLEX-Drain 4 in. End Cap and drill with 1/4 holes. It looks much better. only 2.25 from Home Depot

[@dslynx]

AWESOME! This is just what I needed. I made my own, but it's really ugly compared to that method!

[@Carlanga3533]

Upvoted just for the dog part haha

[@user-xu8eb4hu5p]

Thanks for sharing this video.

[@jhamgarces9770]

Wow! very useful. Thanks alot.

[@williamrodriguez5820]

Beautiful and easy

[@roxydog2004]

What if your discharge vent isn't round ?

[@Venom5260]

use your head

[@palangnar3588]

@@Venom5260 Good answer.

[@kareno7848]

If that is a furnace vent it will freeze and shut down the furnace.

[@kareno7848]

My furnace installer warned me not to do this. Perhaps in the summer just tie a bag around it. The heat blowing out in the winter should discourage critters.

[@accalles7652]

Any tips for a line that drains water?

[@MrXsanders]

Alright this is helpful! I liked the video was about to unsubscripted but you pulled me back in with this video keep it up.

[@hassanfaheem7356]

What about Vent Cowels?

[@Steve9031]

Drill a hole vertically into the vent pipe about a quarter of an inch from the discharge end. Now take a finishing nail and insert it into the hole and into the hardware cloth screen. When the screen needs to be removed for cleaning, first remove the finishing nail and take out the screen. You could also use a 16d common nail that would span the full width of the vent pipe. In that case drill hole not only on top but a matching hole on the bottom of the PVC vent pipe.

[@luke9822]

Good idea. A stainless steel screw would be even better. No rust, and would be less prone to accidental removal.

[@TimujinWorld]

Used this for a tankless water heater exhaust that had rusty hardware wire. This was the best tip ever. Worst part was buying 5' of hardware cloth for a 6"x6" section. Thanks.

[@tonyoltean09]

Will fall right out if a rodent messes with it. Guess its time to make a video.

[@waterhead1359]

It needs to be secure

[@jonathangwynne1917]

Seems to me it would be more permanent to use a 3.5" hole saw to match the OD of a 3" pipe and make one big enough to go over the outside of the pipe, then use some construction adhesive to hold it in place.

[@luke9822]

True, but would also be more unsightly.

[@RussSchampers]

The OD is going to be 3 1/8 and it's going to look like crap comparatively. I would simply add a bead of caulk to the inside solution. Would look great and likely last longer than I will live.

[@lsophial]

Indeed!

[@wwShadow7]

That doesn't seem like it would stay in my opinion. Especially if it's a dryer vent. It will deter, for a period of time no doubt. But out here in the country, mice will chew through that, snakes will push it out of the way, and time will rust it to dust. I made a similar but less pretty screen on my microwave vent. The keypad failure and number or hornets nests that had fallen through the vent when the old one got removed, which suggested that it was necessary.

[@jackspencer8290]

You said a number of things that are ill informed. A dryer vent should NOT have a screen on it. Doing so is a violation of the mechanical code, and is a huge fire hazard. Lint gets caught in it, and catches fire. Second, mice cannot chew through metal, period. Hardware cloth is galvanized steel, and therefore will not rust. If snakes are a concern, it can be secured with a screw as others have mentioned.

[@SimonBarsinister]

​@jackspencer8290 I had rats chew through metal screen. I had mice chew through what is called insulbrick. Don't underestimate those little bastards.

[@bororobo3805]

Hahaha. So simple. Here I am complicating things and thinking about tinsmithing an outlet box with a hood and duct and flap door 😑🤦‍♂️😭

[@palangnar3588]

Good idea, but what about make is bigger and tie it with plastic tie around the pipe, we could use two ties to make it better, what do you think ?

[@gregj2647]

What about covering a duel vent for a high efficiency furnace?

[@Venom5260]

make two....

[@gregj2647]

@@Venom5260 can’t. Intake is behind the exhaust.

[@leethao9711]

Why not just buy a vent cap with screen built in already at Home Depot for a few bucks.

[@dorothymartin8557]

Their vent caps aren't very substantial, tho. Easily pulled off. Pests are very smart! It's cold outside!

[@killerkane1957]

In my experience this is a great idea. Been living in Texas brush for 57 years and doubt a snake could push it or his prey - the rat - could eat it either. Many daily items rely on a friction fit. Queazy? Run a couple of stainless screws in to trap the screen. I'm going to use this method to keep toads out of my garden house drain. Thanks for the improved use of hardware cloth to seal out critters!

[@terrancehorn846]

thanks. anyone have a youtube or plans on how to build a dryer vent pest guard with material list,etc.

[@terrancehorn846]

thanks. anyone have a youtube or plans on how to build a dryer vent pest guard with material list,etc.

[@kendalgee5808]

Make sure to take a bigger drillbit, and drill in a couple millimeters. That way when you screw the screw in, it will be flush.

[@Muhabbatik]

I did it birds push it inside and still make a nest :)

[@greensteve9307]

Put it on the outside then. :)

[@toysorbust]

Pull the screen around and zip tie it

[@kendalgee5808]

@@toysorbust Young grasshopper, a zip tie will not hold up to the elements.

[@reggieglubber5420]

​@@kendalgee5808Just replace it more often. I used a stainless steel pipe clamp.