Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, WA Home Inspector (King of the House)

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Whatcom County Home Inspection (King of the House) -- Dryer Ducting

I know that I have talked about this before, but below is an excellent photo of how dryer flex ducting should not be used.

Okay, let us be practical. People like convenience and using a short little section of this accordion style flex duct right behind the dryer is par for the course even at new homes. They are known as "flex transition ducts" and they are allowed by codes but with some stipulations: They cannot be concealed in construction (crawl spaces, attics, going through walls and floors) and the maximum length must not exceed 8 ft. Even for these short runs the semi-rigid ducting is better, just do not crush it.

The ducting in the concealed space must be, again per code, smooth interior ducting with joints in the direction of the airflow and with zero screws to catch lint. How long the smooth ducting can be depends on the number of elbows and the manufacturer's instructions. 

The duct above, situated in the crawl space, is more problematic than most similar crawl space ducting. In this case, the duct is taking so many twists and turns that, no doubt about it, it is a potential fire hazard and it can be hard on the appliance above if the vent is, essentially, restricted. The other thing with this flex duct is that it tends to tear or come apart. Therefore, before long, you end up with the dryer spewing into the crawl space. Since we are setting the record straight here, not only should ducting under the house be smooth metal, it should, also, have R4 insulation around it. That reduces the amount of condensation that forms in the ducting when warm air is running through the duct in the unconditioned crawl space.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

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Comments

Is that a python or a boa?

Posted by Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC) about 2 years ago

Jay,

Nutsy snapped this down under Charlie's house so who knows?

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) about 2 years ago

I learn a lot from your posts, and wonder if you have any earlier posts (or other resources) on what first-time home buyers should be looking for in general from their home inspectors?  I'd like to share an overview with my clients. I can tell them, but somehow something printed seems to carry more weight and serves as a good reference for them. If you can direct me, I'd appreciate it!

Posted by Marcy Eastham (Town & Country Realty Corvallis Oregon) about 2 years ago

Steve, about the only thing Nutsy is likely to "snap" under my house would be his mind

Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com) about 2 years ago

Is that a shot of the famous Buell foam?

Posted by Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC) about 2 years ago

Marcy,

I have probably written something like that in the past -- so many posts over the years that I am not sure. I will write something like that. Give me some specifics on what you want, the angle you want, and I will write something when I get some time here and then let you know.

Steve

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) about 2 years ago

You've been churning out blogs faster than I can keep up.  But I caught this one and worry again about what's under my floor! 

Posted by Barbara S. Duncan, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) about 2 years ago

Godmother,

The boss wanted to space them better than this, but he is so lame that he posted two in draft, thinking they were public, then sent them into cyber space at nearly the same time. I will tell him that you are upset and he will then be upset that he has let down my Godmother.

Godson,

Nutsy

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) about 2 years ago

Are you sure that's not an Annaconda on the lam from Florida??

Posted by Lizette Fitzpatrick - Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes - Horse Farms (Lizette Realty - Lexington KY - Richmond KY) about 2 years ago

Lizette,

No that is Charlie's dryer duct. It is experimental. He is doing some sort of science project.

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) about 2 years ago

Sagging a little don't you think? Might need some support...

Helping you live your American dream...

Posted by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector - 615.661.0297 (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.) about 2 years ago

Thanks, Steve.  I will send you an email.

Posted by Marcy Eastham (Town & Country Realty Corvallis Oregon) about 2 years ago

Polly wants a cracker

Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com) about 2 years ago

Mr Charles,

The boss tries to be serious and tries to do serious posts, with no silly. So then you come along and turn it into a laugh riot.

Nutsy

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) about 2 years ago

Nutsy, The boss wanted use the dryer duct under his house for this blog, but you and your rodent friends chewed it up. Must be like a down factory under there by now.

Posted by James Quarello - Connecticut Home Inspector (JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC) about 2 years ago

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