How do you do a simple replacement on a dryer vent hose? Basically, you replace an existing hose if it is clogged and poses a fire risk or if it gets disconnected from a connection, and you see huge amounts of lint building up inside. That’s the time you consider a replacement.
Indications that the hose is already clogged are when your clothes are no longer completely drying on a regular drying cycle and your clothes feel hot and damp. If the room is hotter when you are drying than before, it is an indication that the hose has gone disconnected.
So here, we’re going to show an easy replacement procedure. If the existing hose is really an old one and looks like garbage of clothes fiber inside, the best way to go is to have it replaced with a new one. Do not just clean it; replace it with a brand new hose.
How to Replace a Dryer Vent Hose Inside a Wall
What You Will Need:
For this DIY job, you need the following tools and materials:
- A new dryer duct tubing
- Clamps or aluminum/duct tape
- Vent elbows
- Exterior caulk
- Caulk gun
Steps:
Access the dryer vent by pushing the machine away from the wall where the vent is connected. Follow through with these steps:
Step 1 - Expose the Duct.
For drywall installation, cut through the wall to expose the old duct work. You want to remove the hose that you see extending from the machine up to the vent hood that exhausts hot air outdoors.
If the hose goes through a concrete wall and the vent hood is attached on the external side of the wall, cutting through the wall is not needed.
Whatever the case is, proceed to step 2.
Step 2 - Detach the Hose from the Wall Connection.
Loosen the screw on the clamp that’s around the hose’s end attached to the dryer vent extending from the wall. If you find a ring attached to the wall, you also need to unscrew that ring.
You might find foam installation used to bind the dryer vent to the wall or caulk connecting the exterior dryer vent to the wall. Cut through these bond materials to proceed. If everything’s ready for detaching this end of the hose, proceed to removing it.
Step 3 - Remove Lint Buildup from the Dryer’s Lint/Heat Exit.
When you’re done detaching both ends of the hose on the wall side and the dryer side, you would want to clean that part of the dryer at the back where lint is usually deposited and hot air is expelled. Doing this ensures that your dryer can breathe better when it’s putting out exhaust.
Step 4 - Connect the New Duct Tubing.
Depending on how the entire vent structure has been designed, you might need to use vent elbows to form the entire ducting. Complete the entire ducting first. If there’s no need to put elbows, the task is much easier to do. Just reconnect the two ends tightly and you are done.
Step 5 - Caulk/Put the Duct Tape/Attach the Clamp.
This is the last step. Here, you reinforce the attachments to make sure the hose stays in place if the machine needs to be moved.
Remember that a long hose might not allow the machine to be positioned close to the wall. In any case, you’re done and ready to test your new dryer vent hose.
Here’s a video tutorial on how to replace an existing dryer hose vent. What’s nice with this video is it shows options for securing the attachments with a sturdy fit.
The Final Verdict
This post outlines the simple steps to take when replacing a worn-out, dirty, or an old dryer vent hose. The job can be done within an hour or so, and a new hose costs about 20 bucks.
If you have any questions or clarifications, don’t hesitate to put them below or call us for more detailed instructions.