Running a Dryer Vent through the Garage

If you are putting a dryer vent into your home, you need to have a connection to the outside air. This is usually done using a pipe section, which extends from your vent to the wall. Installing a vent into a dryer which is in the garage can be more complicated, as you will have to extend the pipe work throughout the garage and place the end vent in the location of the outside wall. You may consider having this vent installed in your home by a professional, but you may be able to install it yourself if you have some basic home improvement skills. Follow a few basic guidelines to complete this project in a few hours.

Step 1 - Make the Vent Opening

You will first need to make a hole in the outside wall of your garage, or perhaps in the door. Cut a hole though the garage door using a drill, and then check to ensure that you are making the gap in the right place. Once you are sure that you are drilling the right area, then you can cut out the required hole using a saw.

Step 2 - Fit the Vent Hood

You will then need to fit the vent hood around the hole. Screw the inside and outside plates together using the screwdriver. Once the hood is in the right place, you may find that you need to slowly caulk around the edge of the vent hood in order to seal it and ensure that there are no drafts penetrating the garage door.

Step 3 - Connect the Dryer Vent Kit

You can now fit the vent kit to the back of the dryer. Turn the water off at the mains. Remove the back of the machine, and then attach the vent to the connections. The connections to the vent should be described on the instructions of your dryer vent kit, and these will give a better idea of where you will need to place your vent. Once you have installed the vent, you can replace the back of the dryer.

Step 4 - Connect the Pipes

While you have the dryer moved out of position, attach the first elbow shaped pipe into the back of the dryer. Push in the first straight piece, and then replace the dryer back into place. Add another piece of pipe and repeat until you reach the top of the garage ceiling. You will then need to add another elbow pipe, and then trail this across the ceiling. You can attach brackets to hold the pipes in place, using caulk around the edges of the pipe to keep the joints in place.

Step 5 - Finishing

When you have finished installing the pipes, you should turn the water back on, and run the dryer for a few minutes. Check the pipe for any signs of leaking. You may need to add more caulk if there is a problem, but otherwise you can run the dryer as before.