Moving into a new home presents many challenges. Among them, connecting your washer and dryer.
The same is true when you buy a new dryer to replace your old one. But what do you do if a dryer vent hose doesn’t fit your dryer? Is there a way to connect things safely and get it working again?
You’ll be glad to know that you have options when your dryer vent hose doesn’t fit the dryer. Sometimes, it may be too big. Other times, it may be too small.
Regardless, dryer vent hook-up problems can be common. Before you shell out money for professional help, though, read on to discover how you may be able to fix this problem yourself. By troubleshooting through the points below, you may save yourself a bundle, paying only for the parts you need rather than paying for labor on top of it.
Other times, it may be worth it to enlist a pro, but you can at least find the materials you need and save on them by buying them yourself.
What to Do If a Dryer Vent Hose Doesn’t Fit the Dryer
Metal hoses that don’t bend and are too big for the dryer vent can be fixed into place through a silicone caulk. Fill the gap between the vent and hoses, then use a clamp to keep it there. For a much larger hose, you’re going to need to get a smaller one that fits.
Dryer vent hook-up problems don’t have to be mystifying. If you’re not sure what to do when your dryer vent hose doesn’t fit your dryer, you’re sure to find the answer to your woes here!
The Dryer Vent Cap Won’t Fit
One of the most common dryer vent hook-up problems is when you can’t get the cap to fit. Dryer vents attach by way of pipes made from sheet metal. These extend from the exterior wall of your home. They are similar in diameter and connect with a metal sleeve that comes from your vent hood.
Here’s what you should do to get it to fit.
Step 1: Unscrew the Vent
Unscrew the screws that hold the old vent in. Take the vent and wiggle it from side to side to get it off your wall.
Step 2: Clean it Out
Using a brush, clean the inside out to get that lint and build up out of the way.
Step 3: Install the New Dryer Vent
Put a new dryer vent in there. Make sure the sleeve of the dryer vent matches the diameter of the thin metal pipe you see coming from your wall.
Step 4: Attach it
Screw the vent onto the pipe.
Step 5: Make it Fit
Tap the edges around the pipe coming from your wall with a hammer if you can’t get that sleeve to fit over the wall pipe. Be careful, though, because you don’t want to cause too much of a bend. A better way is to make a few 1/8-inch indents in the center around the perimeter.
Step 6: Secure it With Screws
Put your dryer vent in, wiggling it into place, and screw it on.
Step 7: Make Adjustments if it Doesn’t Fit
If it’s not fitting, tip that vent to about a 15-degree angle, then slip the sleeve edge over that pipe. Push it over as you align the vent, so it is parallel with the pipe from the wall. Then twist like you’re screwing it on and the edge of the sleeve covers most of the pipe.
Step 8: Bend to Cover
Now you’ll hold the vent, so it’s against that wall pipe. Bend the wall pipe, so it goes inward using your hand, doing so just enough to let the edge of the sleeve cover the last inch of that pipe.
Step 9: Twist and Push
As you twist, push the vent sleeve over that wall pip. The vent opening should point downward. Then you can screw on the vent to the exterior of your home.
The Dryer Vent Hose Falls Off
Another problem people seem to have when the dryer vent hose doesn’t fit the dryer is when that hose falls off. The most common reason for this is that it isn’t properly secured. You should check the hose clamp. It needs to be in the correct placement and secured. Anything that is damaged on these pieces should be replaced immediately.
But if it’s in good condition, you may simply need to adjust the vent hose clamp, so it doesn’t come loose. Some of them have a screw that allows you to tighten it.
If you don’t tighten it, heat from the exhaust along with lint will get all over the place.
The Dryer Vent Hole Is Too Small
When the dryer vent hole is too small, it’s not a smart idea to reduce the size of the exhaust.
You should replace the wall vent with the right size. For the hose being too small, you can try a larger hose. This isn’t an easy situation, particularly if your dryer vent is built right into the dryer.
A flexible hose will be easier to work with than one that is stiff. You can pull the hose open with your hands, though be careful because you could ruin that hose.
Measuring before you buy the hose is recommended so you can be sure you get the right fit.
The Dryer Vent Hole Is Too Big
If your dryer vent hole is too big, you can make a collar that would fit the outside wall that serves as a seal to keep air, water, and pests out. Spray foam helps insulate the duct and adds a good measure of support.
As for the collar material, it depends on the type of wall you’re going through.
- For masonry, mortar, or concrete patching compounds would be ideal.
- For outside vinyl siding, you could use a small sheet of vinyl with trim pieces to make it look better.
- For wooden shingles or clapboard outside, painting a piece of pressure-treated plywood would help match the look.
Ultimately though, you want to make sure to use the right trim and caulking to seal that collar to your exterior wall. Gravity should be on your side so that you can keep water out. Think about securing these things even when using caulk because caulk does wear out in time, and you do not want water getting in behind your walls.
The Best Dryer Vent Hose for Tight Spaces
There are many dryer vent hoses you’ll see though which one is right for you depends on your situation.
The guide below will help you find the right type. You’ll want to think of sizing, material, UL certification, connectors, and the path your hose will need to connect with in your home.
The best overall dryer vent hose for a tight space is the Dundas Jafine BTD48TC Vents. It’s 4 inches in length.
Then you have the best extra-long option, AC Infinity Flexible 4-Inch Aluminum Ducting.
And if you’re working on a budget, you may want to consider the iPower GLDUCT4X8C Non-Insulated Flex Dryer Vent Hose.
Dryer Vent Hose Types
What type of dryer vent hose should you buy? There are many choices that may work for you.
– Aluminum Foil
The ones made from aluminum foil are flexible. You’ll find them at lengths that range from 1 foot to 8 feet in length.
Because these are flexible, you can make an easy connection between the dryer and the exit without an elbow connector.
However, these types of vent hoses should only be used for transition ducts, never for concealed ducts on the interior of walls. These hoses are heat resistant to about 150°F and are not very expensive.
– Semi-Rigid Metal
With these types of dryer vent hoses, they are more rigid than the aluminum. Elbow connectors will be needed when you have a bend to accommodate for your path.
Using this material is best for transition ducts, not the interior walls. These feature smoother interiors, so they catch less lint and minimize the risk of a fire.
But this material is more expensive, and it’s worth it since it can resist up to 400°F in temperature.
– Rigid Metal
If you need to conceal a dryer vent hose inside a wall, this is the only one to use. The design creates a smooth interior that helps airflow go to the max without trapping lint.
You’ll need to use elbow joints with rigid metal to match those turns in the vent path. You will find they resist heat well, up to 400°F.
– Plastic Or Vinyl
Are you considering plastic or vinyl dryer vent hoses? Most building codes forbid them. While they are flexible like aluminum foil hoses, the interiors are textured and can trap lint which can pose a huge fire hazard.
They only resist up to 140F of temperatures too, so this wouldn’t be the best choice.
Dryer Vent Hose Size
Size is an important factor when you choose a dryer vent hose. You should first figure out where the hose will need to go from the base of the dryer to the exit point or ductwork and measure it. Length here is important as well as diameter.
In general, most dryers will need a hose that is 4 inches in diameter. You can easily choose the right hose by checking the spec information that comes with your dryer.
Additionally, the dryer vent hose needs to be a match for your dryer. Most of the hoses you’ll find are suitable for both gas and electric, though, checking will put your mind at ease.
Dryer Vent Hose Certification
You may have noticed “UL” listed on your dryer vent hose.
This means “Underwriter Laboratories,” which is for third-party certification to identify components that stand up to the criteria. Anything with the UL on it will be the safest choice.
To get this designation, they must not go through any concealed spaces, including walls or floors.
For transition ducts, they can’t be longer than 8 feet, and they must be one single length.
Dryer Vent Hose Connectors
Depending on what you’re working with, you may need a connector to safely attach your dryer vent hose to your dryer.
Most vent hoses will come with some kind of clamps or a connector though that’s not always the case. Always check to make sure these things are a match with your dryer before buying them.
Dryer Vent Hose Accessories
You may find a dryer vent hose has accessories that come along with it.
Here’s what you may find and what you should know.
– Recessed Dryer Vent Box
This box can be mounted onto your wall, which will save some space and protect your duct from being squashed. It also keeps lint buildup to a minimum.
– Vent Hood
This hood will have a rigid duct that passes through the exterior wall and has a wide hood to let the hot air out.
You’ll see many of them with removable grates, which serve to keep rodents and pests out.
– Floating Shuffle Cover
Just like what it sounds like, this kind of cover is a dryer vent air seal that either moves up or opens up when the dryer is powered on.
This lets the lint, moisture, and hot air get out. When the dryer is off, the cover keeps closed and stops pests from getting into your home.
– Louvered Cover
This type of cover has flaps that let the air get out from your dryer vent but keeps things covered while the dryer isn’t running.
So, this will stop weather elements from coming in. Rain, snow, and wind will be stopped with this flapper though it is harder to clean and if you live somewhere cold, check on it often.
It has the potential to freeze open when the temperatures plummet.
Don’t Forget About the Dryer Vent Path
Your dryer’s vent path is also an important consideration. The hose you choose may need to make turns when you run it from the base of the dryer to your exit point.
You’ll want to make the shortest path you possibly can create. You’ll also want to limit how many turns.
The longer the path and the more turns, the more likely it is that lint can get trapped. When lint gets trapped, it can become a huge fire hazard.
Sometimes, there is no other way around it, though, so if your path must have turns in it, choose a semi-rigid dryer vent hose and use those elbow connectors to keep things smoother and less likely to catch lint in it.
Conclusion
Now that you know what to do if your dryer vent hose doesn’t fit, you can see which of these fixes will work in your situation.
If you need to cut through masonry, you might be better off hiring a professional for the work.
Otherwise, these simple fixes can be done by almost anyone. There’s something else you should know too.
Cleaning those dryer vents once a year will help remove any trapped lint and buildup. Neglecting them can cause fires or break your dryer, something you’ll surely want to avoid happening to you.
Even with smoother materials, lint will build up over time, so make sure you’re keeping things lint-free and letting your dryer live up to its best potential!