Dryer Vent Through Roof Code

Considering that back pressure higher than 6 wci is generally recognized as inefficient you can see that venting through the roof with non dryer specific vents is immediately problematic.

Dryer vent through roof code.

The roof area of a house is used to vent many of the homes mechanical systems. Dryer venting cannot be combined with other systems such as chimneys or exhaust vents. Clothes dryers should be vented through the side of the house preferably within reach from the ground. The laundry is located in the middle of our home in a hall closet.

Keeping a clean dryer vent is much easier when you can safely reach the exit. Exhaust ducts for domestic clothes dryers shall conform to the requirements of sections 504 6 1 through 504 6 7. Flexible duct shall not be concealed within the construction. When bath fans and clothes dryers vent through the roof they melt a bunch of snow.

If you have to install bends you should reduce this limit by 5 feet for every 90 degree bend and 2. The vent should be as straight as possible and the code sets a limit of 25 feet on its length. Bathroom and cooking area fans also vent to the roof generally through a gooseneck style vent that exhibits a damper and grill. 504 6 1 material and size.

Difficulty cleaning dryer vent. A proper hood or a roof cap equipped with a backdraft damper must be at the termination of dryer venting. I think the roof is a stupid spot to terminate clothes dryer vents because it s difficult to clean and it s a major contributor to ice dams. Doing so would fill your attic with warm moist air that could rot the framing.

Check the local codes and dryer manufacturers recommendations for specifics in your area. Dryer vents should always be vented through the side of the house and not vented through the roof and ideally the exit should be fairly close to the ground. The exhaust duct size shall be 4 inches 102 mm nominal in diameter. When we bought our condo the home inspector said we might have trouble with the dryer vent and he sure was right.

Exhaust ducts shall have a smooth interior finish and shall be constructed of metal a minimum 0 016 inch 0 4 mm thick. These terminals need to be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent lint buildup. The less back pressure is created by the roof vent the more efficiently the system performs.