Semi-rigid aluminum flex vent does have corrugations, but the interior surface of the pipe is smoother than that of plastic and foil duct, making it less likely for blockage to occur. By restricting airflow, it slows down drying, forces the dryer to work harder and drives up your energy bill. However, they both have one significant drawback: They can start fires. If you need flexible duct, this is the best choice. When lint catches fire, vinyl duct burnsand this is the result.
This makes the dryer overheat because it can't expel air fast enough, and the extra heat can ignite the lint. Using the wrong materials to construct the vents can have the same effects by promoting lint buildup, and it can cause a fire. A dryer and its vent need to be cleaned out regularly (experts recommend cleaning every year). So use rigid metal wherever you can and keep flex lengths to a minimum.
Most pros prefer aluminum; its easier to cut and never rusts. 
It has smaller ridges inside for better airflow and less lint buildup. Lint sometimes does collect inside rigid pipes, but because the pipe is straight and smooth, it's easy to remove it with a lint brush. When it becomes necessary to bend the vent line in order to route it properly, the line should have a shorter total length. 
Why Does My Dryer Make a Loud Thumping Sound? One cause of lint buildup is neglect. It also has a smoother surface that catches less lint, according to some experts. // Leaf Group, Reuben's Home Inspection Blog: Dryer Transition Ducts.
up your dryer, moisture condensation forms inside the cool duct. Aluminum foil wont burn, of course, but it will quickly disintegrate in a fire.
This article will help you recognize and correct problems with your dryer vent. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Learn how to install a rigid metal duct for a safer dryer. Subtract 5 feet for each 90-degree bend, and 2 1/2 feet for each 45-degree bend.
But remember this: Each 90-degree elbow counts as 5 ft. In most situations, the materials cost for a completely new vent system is about $60. Even the best flexible vent material reduces airflow and catches lint. Flexible dryer vent pipes are useful when the dryer is situated in such a way that makes it impractical to install straight pipes. Includes two duct Hooker-Upper Protectors to easily attach duct to the dryer and the wall vent.
Aluminum foil tape seals perfectly and stays put forever. Dont be fooled. The proper place for flexible (semi-rigid) aluminum pipe is between the dryer and the opening to the main vent. Worst of all, vinyl is flammable. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. Dryer manufacturers dont recommend foil ducts and neither do we. Something went wrong. We recommend our users to update the browser. So if you need two elbows, for example, the rest of the duct can total only 25 ft. Longer dryer ducts means more resistance to airflow, and most dryer manufacturers call for a total length of 35 ft. or less (check the owners manual). If you have this type of duct, replace it. Builder's Best 4"x8' Semi-Rigid Dryer Duct w/Two Clamps, {"modules":["unloadOptimization","bandwidthDetection"],"unloadOptimization":{"browsers":{"Firefox":true,"Chrome":true}},"bandwidthDetection":{"url":"https://ir.ebaystatic.com/cr/v/c1/thirtysevens.jpg","maxViews":4,"imgSize":37,"expiry":300000,"timeout":250}}. 2019 Deflecto, LLC. When youre building your duct system, make sure the crimped ends point toward the airflow direction and the uncrimped ends toward the dryer. Available stock is reserved in someone's cart. Lint is moist as it emerges from a dryer, and the moisture makes it stick to the corrugations. But some pros prefer galvanized steel because its stiffer and available in longer sections at some stores. View cart for details. Some inspectors and dryer manufacturers allow up to 8 ft. of flexsome less. Learn where lint is, how to get at it, and the best way to clean it out. Flexible metal (semi-rigid aluminum) pipe is available in most hardware stores, as are flexible plastic and flexible foil ducts. Builder's Best 4"x8' Semi-Rigid Dryer Duct w/Two Clamps, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new window or tab, - for PayPal Credit, opens in a new window or tab, Learn more about earning points with eBay Mastercard, - eBay Return policy - opens in a new tab or window, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new tab or window. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. Its also important to keep the flex runs short. Lint buildup, plus the heating system inside a dryer, is a recipe for fire. No clamps, tools, or tape needed. These guidelines ensure the blower on the dryer is able to expel lint and hot air through the side of the building without overworking. But if the seam faces up, the water will stay in the duct and evaporate as the duct heats up. to flow outside easily. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Benzene, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. It needs to be as straight and as short as possible, and when it does bend, it should do so without kinking. Protects duct from being smashed behind dryer which can cause lint build up and longer drying times, Supurr-flex Dryer Duct is UL listed 2158A, fire-resistant, flexible, easy-to-install.
We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Learn where lint is, how to get at it, and the best way to clean it out, Dry Clothes Faster with a Dryer Duct Booster, how to install a rigid metal duct for a safer dryer, Most dryer problems can be fixed in an hour with a few basic tools, Do Not Sell My Personal Information CA Residents. With its smooth, straight walls, pipe provides maximum airflow and minimal lint traps. WARNING! If you need to go longer, install a special dryer booster fan (available online, starting at about $150). As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies. A bad vent also costs you time and money. A bad vent traps lint. If you get this backward, lint is more likely to build up at joints. This Venting Kit includes up to 8 feet of semi-rigid transition duct and two Hooker-Upper duct connectors with protectors to easily attach duct to the exhaust vent opening. Screw tips poking into the duct catch lint. They come in handy when the dryer vent outlet is offset from the vent opening in the wall, and they allow you to slide the dryer away from the wall without disconnecting the duct. How to Connect a Dryer Hose to a Kenmore Dryer, Building Codes for Gas Dryers in Los Angeles. Dryer vents should be 4 inches in diameter, have a maximum length of 25 feet and be constructed of smooth metal. Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. A good vent allows the dryers exhaust (and lint!) Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. The main vent through an attic or crawlspace always should be rigid metal. Aluminum pipe also offers better fire-resistance than the other flexible ducts, yet none are as safe as rigid metal duct. If the seam on rigid duct faces down, that water will leak out and drip onto whatever is below. How to Install a Dryer Vent Through Vinyl Siding, Copyright 2022 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Lifestyle, All Rights Reserved. Join sections of duct with clamps or tapenever screws.
Underestimating the importance of dryer vents can be trouble. Check out hoe to get Dry Clothes Faster with a Dryer Duct Booster. It also withstands fire better than other flexible duct.
You can bend flexible pipe because is has corrugations, but these corrugations also are lint traps. Another cause of lint buildup is a bad vent. It may be tempting to choose plastic or foil duct because they are less expensive and appear to offer a trouble-free venting solution. Duct tape often falls off after months or years. Undersized, curved or long vents make your dryer work harder and increase your energy bill.
Your vents should be made of smooth metal to avoid this issue, but flexible aluminum pipes, also called semi-rigid or transition ducts, often are allowable as transitions between the dryer and the main vent. Flexible metal can sag over long runs, and each sag is a place where lint can collect. Like vinyl ducts, these ducts impede airflow and trap lint. The ridges inside impede airflow and trap lint. All Rights Reserved. Thousands of dryer fires are caused by lint every year, yet they can be easily prevented with a few minutes of cleaning. Eventually, more lint collects and the vent becomes constricted. Some vinyl ducts have a silver coating to imitate metal foil. The sections of pipe forming the vent should be constructed so the male connection faces toward the vent opening (exterior exit point).
This venting kit is easy to install. Easy to install; no clamps, no tools, no tape needed.