By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
Our home is less than one year old and has one annoying problem. The clothes dryer exhaust blows directly into the garage. When we run the dryer, the interior of the garage becomes very damp, especially in winter, and we're continually cleaning lint off of everything. We've asked the builder to fix this, but he says everything is up to code. What should we do? --John
Dear John,
The Uniform Mechanical Code, which governs the venting of appliances in most states, requires that clothes dryer exhaust outlets vent to the exterior of a dwelling, not into the garage or any other portion of the building. Venting a dryer into a garage causes moisture problems and promotes the growth of mold. Accumulated lint can pose a fire hazard, especially if there are gas-burning fixtures, such as a water heater or furnace, in the garage.
It is possible that the code requirements for dryer venting are different in your area, since not all states use the Uniform Mechanical Code. To verify the standards that apply where you live, call your local building department and ask an inspector if a clothes dryer can be legally vented into a garage. If the installation violates local code, the builder should install a vent to the outside. Otherwise, you'll need to make the upgrade on your own.
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