I recently bought a house and discovered that the dryer vent poses some safety concerns. Currently, it has extra slack and gets pinched between two pipes before it exits the basement. To fix the issues, the contractor suggested rerouting the vent and drilling a new hole about four feet away from the existing exit. They'll also clean and replace the vent with a higher quality option and seal off the old hole. While I want to ensure everything is safe for the house, I feel that $1200 is a bit pricey. Is this a standard rate? We're also considering a DIY solution using the basement window, but I've read that might not be the best route either.
4 Answers
Honestly, before making any decisions, it's good to determine how dangerous the current setup really is. You can check airflow by hooking up a leaf blower to the vent—if air flows freely, you might be fine for now. But if it's blocked, then you've got a real problem. A contractor checking it and saying airflow is at 15mph is a good sign, but maybe it could still use some upgrades depending on the long-term use.
You and your spouse can totally handle this with a DIY approach! I did the same at my place, and it only cost me around $100 for materials. Just make sure to share some pictures of your setup here for advice, and you won’t even need to relocate the exhaust—you might find a better solution without all the hassle!
That's a great suggestion! If you show us the pictures, we can help with specific advice. It's definitely doable.
I tackled this at my house too, and while it was a Saturday's worth of work, I managed it for a lot less than what you're quoted. Just remember, if they replace it with hard ducts and cap the old hole, then $1200 might actually be reasonable. You want to ensure it’s done right, even if DIY is tempting!
For that price, why not just get a ventless dryer instead? You'd still have to manage the hole, but it might make things easier! Just take a look at options available; some are pretty decent!
I’d be cautious with that suggestion; you might end up with a model that doesn't last long. It’s worth considering, but do your research!
Yeah, that’s a solid point! I know I’d be nervous too, but airflow is key. If it’s not bad, then maybe just cutting some slack could help in the meantime.