Dryers are great for getting rid of moisture from fabrics. But whether you’re looking for a quick fix or a convenient alternative, attempting to vent your dryer into your garage is never a good idea at all.
You shouldn’t vent your dryer into a garage because the exhaust from gas dryers contains carbon monoxide, which can be fatal if allowed to build up in your home. Other issues that could crop up include lint buildup, mold infestation, and structural damage.
In this article, you will discover more information on why you should not vent your dryer into the garage. You will also find valuable tips on how to vent your dryer safely.
How a Dryer Works
Dryers can either be electric or gas-fired. The heat source raises the air temperature, shortening the time your clothes take to dry. In other words, to get rid of moisture from your washed clothes effectively, a dryer uses hot air forced within its system.
But for the air inside the dryer to remain hot and dry without any moisture, the dryer needs to continuously eject the accumulated humid air. A dryer vent is therefore responsible for pushing the hot, damp air out.
Before venting the dryer, the airflow passes through a filter which collects a large amount of lint from the washing. The vent is designed to have a specific length, but the most suitable length offers the shortest and most direct path to the outside.
Why You Should Not Vent Your Dryer Into Your Garage
Venting your dryer into the garage can lead to a couple of problems. These include the following:
Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
If you own a gas-fired dryer, venting it into your garage could pose grave danger to your family. The thing is, gas dryers emit tiny amounts of carbon monoxide. As such, proper venting into the outdoors is crucial to avoid serious consequences. For instance, if you vent your gas dryer into your garage, the emissions could be poisonous to both people and household pests.
Heightened Risk of Mold Allergies
The possibility of having extra heat and moisture in winter sounds pretty tempting. However, directing excessive moisture into your home creates the perfect conditions for mold growth. This poses serious health concerns, as it exposes your loved ones to mold allergies as well as toxic spores.
Structural Damage
Another issue that could occur because of venting a dryer inside your garage is structural damage. This is because the extra humidity could lead to home damage through timber degradation and the rusting of other building materials. The high humidity levels might also hamper effective insulation, resulting in higher energy costs.
Lint Buildup
Dryer vents typically emit lint that builds up with time. Each time you use your dryer, it covers your garage interior with a layer of damp lint which eventually gets transported indoors. But that’s not all. When it turns dry and fluffy, lint becomes highly flammable, meaning that sparks from faulty electrical wiring can spark a serious fire upon igniting the lint.
Reduced Air Quality
Venting your dryer contents into your garage also impacts the quality of air quite adversely. While dryer lint is non-toxic, it is usually emitted in tiny particles that, if inhaled, could worsen respiratory problems, such as asthma.
It Adds Pollutants Into Your Home
When you vent your dryer inside your garage, there’s a high risk of pollutants such as detergent chemicals, dust, and lint escaping into your indoor living space via the dryer vent. The dust and lint can mess your garage while the people at home can inhale the chemicals leading to various health complications.
It Might Violate Local Building Codes
If you are contemplating selling your house, it’s important to note that building codes relating to dryer vents bear a significant impact on home inspection. As a result, you want to ensure that you follow the regulations regarding how to vent dryer exhaust systems in your locality. Besides, contravening these laws could attract fines. These regulations also specify how to install the dryer vent correctly.
How to Vent Your Dryer Safely
To vent your dryer safely and appropriately, the first thing to do is make sure your dryer vent terminates outside your home. This enables it to propel its exhaust outside, preventing any condensation-related issues and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Here are additional helpful tips on safe dryer usage:
- Use a venting pipe with the recommended width and support – follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Go for a metal vent pipe as plastic dryers tend to sag, restricting airflow, or they might trap lint within their ridges, creating a fire hazard.
- Consider running your dryer vent through a dust separator to trap most of the lint.
- Always clean the lint screen every time you use the dryer to prevent lint buildup from blocking the airflow to the outside.
- If you are currently venting into your garage, consider rerouting the dryer vent. It’s advisable to have a professional vent cleaner clean up the dryer vent every 6 -12 months to eliminate accumulated lint along its entire length.
- Regular dryer vent cleaning allows your dryer to run more efficiently; hence clothes dry much faster, saving time and ultimately reducing your energy costs.
That said, if indoor dryer venting is legit and a requirement in your locality, minimize the risks to your home and health by:
- Organizing for temporal venting through a window.
- Keeping your windows and doors open to boost circulation.
- Terminating the vent in a container filled with water to limit the amount of lint dispersed.
- Replenishing the container with fresh water after each load of laundry.
You might also want to read: Can You Vent a Dryer Through the Roof?
Final Thoughts
Venting your dryer into the garage might appear to be an easy and appealing solution to your dryer woes. However, as we have seen, the best way to vent your dryer is to direct the exhaust outdoors. This is not only safe, but it also helps you avoid exposing yourself to any toxic fumes, structural deterioration, legal contraventions, or health-related risks.
Follow the useful tips highlighted in this article to protect yourself and your loved ones from the potential risks of incorrect venting.
