Getting Rid of an Unused Dryer Vent

If you have moved the location of your dryer, you may have a large dryer vent that is not being used anymore. It is best to close this exterior hole because it no longer serves a purpose, and it's likely just leaking warm or cool indoor air and providing an easy entry for pests. You can remove an unused dryer vent with a few tools and materials from your local home improvement store.

Step 1 - Remove the Outside Vent

The first step in getting rid of an unused dryer vent is to remove the exterior venting component. These exterior vents vary in design, but you will probably need your drill to remove it. Once the vent is removed, you should clean up the area as best you can. You don’t want any outside debris left in or around the opening.

Step 2 - Add Blanket Insulation

Using a straight edge and a utility knife, cut a chunk of blanket insulation and place it in the hole. You will want to press it down a bit and then fluff it out. The insulation should fill the hole without protruding from either side.

Step 3 - Insert Wire Mesh or Thin Aluminum

If you are removing the dryer vent from a brick house, you should place a piece of wire mesh inside the hole after the insulation. You will need to cut the wire mesh with a reciprocating saw to fit it to the appropriate size. You should make the piece slightly larger than the hole you are filling.

Press the piece against the outside of the house and push it into the hole. Because it is slightly larger than the hole, you will have to press firmly. The oversized wire mesh will stay firmly in place. Be sure to wear heavy gloves when working with the wire mesh to protect your hands.

If you have a wood or sided home, you should follow the same procedure except use thin, rigid aluminum to fill the hole instead. The thin metal can easily cut your hand, so be sure to wear heavy-duty work gloves in this case too.

Step 4 - Close Hole from the Outside

With the insulation and metal in place, you can now begin to fill the hole. If you have a brick house you have two options. You can simply fill the hole with quick set concrete or you can replace the bricks.

Filling the hole with the concrete is very easy; however, you will be left with an area on the exterior of your house that doesn’t match the rest of the brick. If you decide that you want to replace the bricks, use a hammer and chisel and remove a rectangular area. Then, find matching bricks and use mortar to set the new bricks in place.

If you have a wood house, find the matching exterior material and nail it in place.

If you have a vinyl or aluminum sided house, you will need to purchase a new strip of siding and hook it in place.

Step 5 - Close Hole from the Inside

With the hole closed on the outside, you now need to close it on the inside. You will want to match the existing material of the wall that the vent is set in. Since many dryer vents are in the basement, poured concrete is a common and easy choice. Pour it into the hole and simply let it dry.

If your dryer vent was in an interior room, you will need to cut the drywall out all the way to the studs and replace it with a new piece. You will nail the new drywall to the studs, tape it, and mud it.

That’s it. You can get rid of an unused dryer vent in one afternoon!