By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
When we built our home, we opted to have our washer and gas dryer in the upstairs hall closet. Our builder ran the dryer exhaust pipe directly through the roof, rather than through an outside wall. This has turned out to be a problem, because the attic is vented at the roof ridge, and the vent screen becomes clogged with dryer lint. Every few months, I have to go into the attic to clean the screen. I've been told that the installation meets code, but I'm not convinced. Does this sound to you like a proper way to install a dryer vent? -Ira
Dear Ira,
Your description of the clothes dryer vent in your home is puzzling in one respect. You say the builder "ran the dryer exhaust pipe directly through the roof." Yet you are able to remove the lint from inside the attic. If the pipe extends through the roof, rather than terminating in the attic, then the lint should be on the outside of the screen, accessible only from outside the building, that is, from the roof. Apparently, a picture of this situation would be worth many words.
Having said that, your best bet is to have the entire dryer exhaust installation reviewed by a qualified third party. An experienced home inspection should be able to determine the efficacy and appropriateness of this vent. Even if it complies with applicable code requirements, it may be installed in a manner that is impractical or functionally problematic. Although legal, it may warrant improvement.
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