Access Panel Through Two Walls

Hello -

I'm a newbie to DIY Home Improvement, so please bear with me. I need to cut an access panel through two walls in order to reach through one side of the wall to the other side where my washer/dryer sits. I need to do this so that I can appropriately connect my dryer hose from the dryer to the outlet.

I plan on installing a plastic access panel, such as this (Access Doors & Panels | Flush Access Doors | Plastic Access Door - 8 x 8 | B204666 - GlobalIndustrial.com).

I understand how one cuts and installs an access panel through one sheet of drywall, and I will first install the plastic access door through drywall sheet #1. For drywall sheet #2 (the wall immediately adjacent to the washer dryer), I assume I will do the same except I would be installing the access door on inside of the drywall (rather than the outside as for sheet #1).

Any tips? My guess is that there will be both plumbing and wiring between the drywall sheets, given the washer dryer. I assume I should shut off electricity first?

Thank you!

 

Why do you need the access holes? How will they help in connecting the dryer hose? Can't you connect the hose and slide the dryer back, compressing the flexible hose?

 

Yes; however, the compression is the issue. Given the hose length and the fact I can only compress so much, the compression space needed prohibits me from sliding the w/d back all the way. This prevents me from shutting the door to the washer/dryer closet. If I can access the connection from "behind" then I can utilize a shorter hose, which in turn will eliminate most of the compression space currently needed, giving me about 5-6 in of more space, and allow me to shut the door.

 

As appliance repair person I run into this all the time. Easiest if there is room is to install dryer first, Connect vent and slide dryer back, If you have 2 people have one person slide dryer back and the other line up vent hose. Another trick is to tie a rope,(string) to vent hose. run it over dryer back and use this to line up vent hose.