So, my girlfriend and I just moved into our first home, and we've hit a snag. We hooked up our washer and dryer today, but when we tried to use the dryer, it threw an error saying the vent was blocked. After checking the outside vent, I realized it's not connected to anything! I looked inside and saw only some electrical wires and the back of a wall. The duct seems to be stuck between two walls in the basement, and it looks like the previous owners installed a new wall over the old one. They also have this bizarre mix of aluminum and plastic ductwork. What can we do to fix this mess? Do we really have to cut into the wall? And I was wondering if we could put a glass block vent in an existing glass block window instead; that could be a cleaner solution.
3 Answers
It looks like that white flexible duct should have connected to the vent outside, but if it’s just sitting there, it’s no good! You definitely need to cut into the wall to connect it properly. For the duct, I'd recommend using rigid duct to prevent any moisture issues in the wall. You’ll need some elbow bends too, and I wouldn’t go with flexible again since it traps lint. Get yourself some durable duct and a good vent pipe.
Your best bet might be to call in a licensed sheet metal contractor. They'll know how to properly hook everything up and can give you a fair price for it. Sometimes it’s better to let the pros take care of things like this, especially with safety in mind.
Honestly, you're probably better off not having that old flex duct sealed inside the wall because it can trap lint, which is a fire hazard and hard to clean. Replacing it with a proper 4" rigid duct is a smart move! You'll definitely need to open up that wall for access, but at least you'll be able to fix it right. Also, installing a dryer vent in that glass block window is totally doable, and they have kits for that. Just make sure to keep those bends to a minimum to prevent lint buildup.
Yeah, doing it right this time is crucial. It might take some effort, but your safety is worth it!
Good call! Using rigid duct always works better. Better to do it right the first time.