What Size Hole Should I Drill for My Dryer Vent – 4" or 5"?
Asked by dude1234!
I'm trying to figure out the right size hole to drill for a dryer vent in my house, which has about 5 inches of stone veneer on the exterior. I can rent a core drill from Home Depot, but they offer bits in 4-inch and 5-inch diameters. I'm worried that a 4-inch hole might be too small for the vent pipe, while a 5-inch hole might be too big. Also, will a 5-inch hole work well with the vent cover? I would really appreciate any advice!
Answers
Honestly, the 4-inch seems like it might work, but double-check the actual size of the vent pipe you're using. Sometimes what's labeled as 4 inches can actually be slightly off. It might be worth measuring the vent pipe or even bringing it to Home Depot to compare against their bits.
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You should definitely go with the 5-inch hole. The cap will easily cover that size, and you can fill in any gaps with low expansion spray foam to help with insulation. I’m a licensed general contractor, and we often use 5-inch bits without any issues. Just make sure to check that you're following local building codes for your dryer vent, which often call for a minimum of 4 inches, but a slightly larger hole gives you more room to work with!
dude1234!: Thanks for the insight! That's super helpful!
RenovationNerd: Do you have any tips for sealing the old dryer vent hole? Since I'm moving it due to plumbing work, I thought about stuffing insulation in it, putting up wire mesh, and then using spray foam.
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I used a rotary hammer to make a hole through some tough materials. I drilled a bunch of small holes in a circle then used a cold chisel to chip it out. Just be cautious if you're also drilling through wooden rim joists; that's a bit tricky!
ToolTimeTim: Sounds like a good technique! Just be careful; the basement setup can make things complicated.
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InquiringMind: Great idea! I never thought about measuring it beforehand.