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mathew stouffer
05-13-2009, 06:17 PM
Can dryer vents be exposed in closet areas.

Jerry Peck
05-13-2009, 06:53 PM
Yes, but it needs to be supported and that ceiling needs to be insulated, unless that is a ceiling/floor system with living space above it, and then the perimeter would require insulation and that would require closing off the open hole or installing draftstopping on each side of the hole at each floor joist (it would get nightmarish to try to do that - so the ceiling needs to be closed back up).

Now, IF that were a return air plenum, then no, the dryer vent would need to be boxed in and sealed around.

While there is 'some' risk of the dryer vent getting hot and combustible material stored on that closet shelf, I don't recall a code which prohibits it or clearance requirements around the dryer vent.

mathew stouffer
05-13-2009, 06:59 PM
Jerry,
So simply closing the ceiling would eliminate the need for the aforementioned requirements.

Ted Menelly
05-13-2009, 07:02 PM
It should be boxed around just becasue it should.

And what more could you want. It's a nice shiny pipe. And that opening above just lets the bad air out of the closet and the heat from the dryer vent warms up your clothes on cool mornings. Helps take the chill out of the old bones.

Jerry Peck
05-13-2009, 07:11 PM
So simply closing the ceiling would eliminate the need for the aforementioned requirements.

Yes, as long as the ceiling is closed back up and sealed, the wall is sealed up around the duct, and the duct is supported properly.

Looking at that ceiling and the previous straps, it looks like that used to run across the ceiling and out someplace else, do you know why it was moved?

Looks like a new door, was that closet changed around, part of a larger room, an addition, or ... ?

The direction of flow of the exhaust in that dryer duct should be from the left side of the photo to the right side, then turn and go ... (outside?)


It should be boxed around just because it should.

Yeah, "it should" ... but if they left the hole in the ceiling ... well, they "should have" known better than to do that too.

Looks like that duct used to run along the inside of that header over the door and was boxed in. At least that is my guess.

mathew stouffer
05-13-2009, 08:18 PM
Not sure what they did, but you are correct regarding direction of flow.