Hooking your dryer vent isn’t tough at all. But it may often become a complex matter if the position is tight. A complete guide will help you if you’re struggling and don’t know how to hook up a dryer vent in a tight space.
A proper guide isn’t always helpful if everything is not given. You can do it yourself, but some annoying parts will still appear, which only an expert will need to fix.
Here is the right place you landed, and you will get every inch-by-inch solution needed. Some specific accessories and materials are required to hook up the dryer vent. Everything is talked about in this solution guide here, and you need to follow the instruction below.
How to hook up a dryer vent in a tight space
Troubleshooting how to hook up a dryer vent in a tight space is relatively easy if we follow the step-by-step guide from the beginning. First, focus on the tools and essential materials to do the work. You can’t get a solution to any problematic situation if you don’t manage any required tools.
Equipment / Tools
A few pieces of equipment are necessary, and the task will become hard to do without them.
- Wrench for adjustment,
- A flat-blade driver or socket driver.
You will need the driver to tighten the band clamps.
Materials
The list of recommended materials for how to hook up a dryer vent in a tight space is here:
- Measure tap,
- Aluminum foil tape,
- Offset dryer vent kit,
- Two pieces of 4 1/2 inch stainless steel band worm-gear hose clamp.
Reconsidering offset dryer vents instead of accordion-style hoses is suitable if your dryer vent isn’t lining up with the wall vent. A measure tap is needed to measure the distance of the tight angle to hook up the dryer vent properly.
The Step-by-step guide to hooking up a dryer vent in a tight space
Let’s jump to the step-by-step guide on how to hook up a dryer vent in a tight space.
Step 1 – Unplug the dryer:
The first step is to unplug your dryer vent. It is the first and foremost work you must do to ensure safety. Electricity may flow into a plugged dryer vent if you don’t unplug it, and it may cause critical damage.
Step 2 – Measure the distance:
Now, take the measuring tape, and open it to 4 to 6inch. Measure the distance from your dryer vent to the wall vent. This distance allows you to understand what sizes of offset vents you will require to hook up the dryer to the wall.
Once you identify the distance, again take the measuring tape and find the distance against the offset dryer vent.
Whirlpool 18 Inch Vent Periscope and Builder’s Best SAF-T-Duct Zero are the two different sizes of the best 90-degree offset dryer vent you can buy at an affordable price for a good fit.
Step 3 – Old clamps and vent removal:
Unhook the old clamps and vents if there added. If you’re reinstalling your dryer, old clamps may still tighten with the dryer vent.
Use the wrench to loosen it and the flat driver to unscrew the clamps.
Moreover, you have to untapped the old foil tapes too.
Step 4: Seal the gaps with the tape of the offset vent:
Some gaps remain in the dryer offset vent. Take the aluminum foil tape and seal them properly. Carbon monoxide gas exiled from the dryer may spread to your home from the gaps and cause various dangerous health issues.
Professional Grade Aluminum Foil Tape is the best pick for hooking up your dryer vent to seal the gaps. It is designed to seal HVAC air ducts quickly and other warm or cold intakes.
Step 5 – Connect the Offset Vent to the Dryer:
It is the most crucial part to do patiently. First, put a clamp into the outer part of the offset vent. Now, take that edge of the offset vent with clamps and connect it to the dryer vent.
Connect the offset vent with the dryer and tighten the clamp with the driver as if it fits appropriately.
Step 6 – Align The Offset Vent With Wall Duct:
Now, slide another hose clamp over the wall vent. Take the other end of the offset vent connected to the dryer vent and put it into the wall vent.
This step may take some finagling, and you could have to slide the dryer a bit to adjust the offset vent. Use elbow grease, and it will save your work and time.
If you notice the alignment is accurate, tightening the hose clamp will be your last work.
Step 7 – Plug in the dryer and check it:
It’s time to replug your dryer vent and check if the hooking up is done or not. Your dryer vent will work, and there will be no hazards.
FAQ
What to do if the dryer vent hose keeps falling?
There is no reason your dryer vents will fall if you tighten them properly. The pressure you put on the clamps isn’t snug properly, and you should buy a new clamps hose.
Can You Use A Dryer Without Hooking Up the Vent?
No, it is unsafe to use a dryer without hooking them up to the vent. Dryer vents are an essential part of a dryer to keep the poisonous gas outside the house.
The vent is not a fire hazard; a dryer without a vent can cause fire incidents.
Is it ok to use a Flexible Hose For Dryer Vent?
Flexible hoses are usually used while the dryer vent is in a tight place. As they are flexible, they quickly adjust to the dimensional necessities.
But flexible hoses have high fire risks on the kinks. If you know the efficient method of how to hook up a dryer vent in a tight space, you won’t need to use flexible hoses.
How much space Do I Need behind a dryer?
A minimum of four to six inches is necessary to have behind your dryer. Pressure will remain on the offset vent and wall vents if you don’t leave spaces between them. So, it is essential to have some space behind your dryer.
How can I install a space saver dryer vent?
Space saver dryer vent has no complex installing process. In addition, you can easily install a Space saver dryer vent by following the step-by-step guide above.
Final thoughts
Space problems often appear when you move to a new place or bring new kinds of stuff to your home. But with the proper instruction and equipment, it becomes a glance of time to renovate your home as you wish.
Here is the proper guideline for those who don’t know how to hook up a dryer vent in a tight space. Don’t forget to use suitable materials and tools as they are obvious for this problem.
Cleaning the lint trap every time you use the dryer and the lint trap cavity once a year will keep your dryer good.
