Is it a generally accepted practice to vent a dryer up through the roof or does a dryer vent have to generally be at a level or downward slope.
Venting tumble dryer through roof.
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.
Lately that wasn t the problem.
Every couple of months i ve pulled the vent off where it curves just before it goes to the outside.
Cleaning lint buildup from roof vents is difficult and nesting birds and squirrels often find roof vent caps irresistible.
I also have a dryer vented through the attic and out to the roof.
To make the dyer more efficient you can buy an inexpensive heat diverter and install it in the exhaust duct of electric dryers only not gas dryers you ll save about 50 worth of heat per load in the winter.
When we bought our condo the home inspector said we might have trouble with the dryer vent and he sure was right.
Difficulty cleaning dryer vent.
These terminals need to be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent lint buildup.
Clothes dryers should be vented through the side of the house preferably within reach from the ground.
I take a broom handle and tie a thick rag on the end of it and a rope on the other end.
Directly above the dryer there is a ventilation pipe that goes to the roof also connected to the vent in the bathroom that i could easily re route the dryer vent into.
But we don t recommend it for two reasons.
Venting the dryer outside in cold weather wastes a lot of heat.
Check with your appliance dealer or local building inspector for recommendations about the best roof vent cap to use.
Keeping a clean dryer vent is much easier when you can safely reach the exit.
The laundry is located in the middle of our home in a hall closet.
I push it down the vent shaft and pull it back up to clean.
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.
A couple of questions about this.
When bath fans and clothes dryers vent through the roof they melt a bunch of snow.
Vent a dryer through the roof only as a last resort.