Dryers are essential for any household, and it’s clear when they aren’t working properly. Is your dryer not heating up properly? Why does it take forever to dry your clothes? Could it be that you need help with replacing a dryer vent hose or servicing your dryer vent? When it comes to dryer maintenance, the questions add up.
When dryers start to malfunction and break down, the result is a kabosh on any laundry until the problem is fixed. Replacing a dryer vent hose is an essential skill that you can quickly do at home with the right tools and parts.
The dryer vent hose size is typically a 4-inch aluminum foil or white plastic ducting that’s used to connect a dryer machine to an outside vent, but the best dryer vent hose is a metal vent pipe. Not only will this dry your clothes safely and quickly, but you’ll save 10 minutes off your drying time.
In this guide, we show you what type of dryer vent hose is best and how to replace your vent in just six steps. We also answer questions like how often should you replace dryer vent hose and can a dryer vent hose be too short.
What Type of Dryer Vent Hose is Best
The best dryer vent hose is one that matches to the type of dryer you own. No matter what dryer you have, you’ll need a vent hose that properly allows for ventilation and won’t endanger your home as a fire hazard.
Most homeowners go with a flexible aluminum 4-inch dryer vent hose, but you may want to try a telescoping design for a tight space, such as the Whirlpool 4396037RP. In other cases, you may want to look for vent hoses with stainless steel clamps.
If you’re not sure what kind of dryer vent hose to buy, there are universally compatible hoses that work with any dryer type.
How often should you replace dryer vent hose?
It’s important to clean out your dryer hose once a year, but you may want to replace your dryer vent hose every other year, depending on how often you use the dryer. We wrote on this very topic recently – be sure to read up on how often you should service your dryer and dryer vent system.
How Long Should a Dryer Vent Hose Be
A typical dryer vent hose is four inches in length. It’s important that the dryer vent hose length by short but not too short that it can’t reach the exterior vent from the dryer.
Can a Dryer Vent Hose Be Too Short
There are cases where you can cut a dryer vent hose too short. The most important thing to remember is that the hose must have a tight seal around the connections. When the space is too tight, it can be beneficial to shorten the vent hose or choose a flat vent hose pipe, such as products by Whirlpool.
How to Install a Dryer Vent Hose
You’re not the only one who wants to know how long should a dryer vent hose be. Once you have the right dryer vent hose length, you can install a more efficient dryer vent hose.
Hooking up a vent for a clothes dryer can be challenging in certain situations, especially if the outlet is located in a tight or difficult-to-reach space. In these cases, it’s best to pull your dryer back from the wall. This guide shows you how to install a vent for an electric dryer.
What You’ll Need
- Adjustable wrench
- Socket driver or flat blade screwdriver
- Replacement vent or offset dryer vent kit
- Dryer hose clamps
- Utility knife
- Foil duct tape
Tips Before Starting
- Never use masking tape or other paper tapes to seal dryer hose connections, as it’s a fire hazard.
- Disconnect the power to the dryer before starting
- Remove the previous dryer hose and vacuum the interior of your dryer to remove lint
1. Move the Dryer Away from Wall
You’ll need easy access to the exhaust flange at the back of the dryer. This requires you to move the dryer a safe distance from the wall.
2. Remove Existing Hose
In the next phase, you’ll loosen the screws that hold the hose clamps and take off the existing flexible hose from the exterior vent and dryer. You can use a utility knife to cut away the previous duct tape and carefully pull away fro the dryer.
3. Replacing a Dryer Vent Hose
Place one end of the new hose over the dryer flange, now place a clamp over the hose and then tighten on the flange. Most dryer hose clamps have a pinch and release style that automatically tightens as you let go of the clamp.
Other clamps may require that you pull the clamp tightly and then tighten a screw to ensure it’s secure. You also do not want to insert screws into the hose or dryer flange, as these can catch lint and start a fire.
4. Secure Foil Duct Tape
Next, you’ll wrap foil duct tape across the end of the flexible hose exactly where it hooks into the flange. You want to make sure that you have an airtight seal.
5. Connect to Exterior Dryer Vent
In this step, you’ll bend the new hose to attach to the exterior dryer vent, then place the end over the top of the vent pipe. It should overlap by a few inches. Before you finish securing the tape, cut off any excess pipe that you don’t need.
You’ll clamp and secure the end of the flexible hose where it attaches to the outside vent. However, remember not to insert screws into the pipe or hose.
6. Finish Sealing the End of the Hose
All you have to do next is to seal the end of the hose using foil duct tape. You’ll seal this off right where the hose joins to the vent pipe, making sure that it’s airtight.
You can plug the dryer back in and move into place, being careful not to kink or pinch the flexible hose.
Get Expert Help for Your Dryer Vent
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