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Original poster

venting a tumble dryer through the roof - i know how dull this sounds...

22 replies

WineSpider · 09/04/2015 22:36

I have googled but can't find much on this... we have a small utility room that has been converted from half the garage. We can't vent our dryer in the normal way as the exterior wall goesis the boundary directly onto the next door neighbour's garden if that makes sense.

Our builder has suggested venting it vertically through the roof (it's a single storey garage with small loft space). With a smooth plastic pipe that has a 90 degree elbow out of the dryer then goes up.

I'm a bit worried about whether this is risky ie condensation / back pressure or fluff accumulating. Anyone got any experience? Thanks.

OP posts:
seaoflove · 09/04/2015 22:40

Have you not considered a condenser dryer instead?

Crikeyblimey · 09/04/2015 22:41

Iveas about to suggest a condenser dryer. They can go anywhere so long as you have power.

PrimalLass · 09/04/2015 22:42

Just get a condenser. Ours is a cheapie Beko and it is great.

Original poster
WineSpider · 09/04/2015 22:49

Hi - thanks. I was hoping to avoid a condensor as i understood they always leave your clothes damp and are high maintenance!

OP posts:
TeddyBee · 09/04/2015 23:36

They cost more to run too. Don't get a condenser.

seaoflove · 09/04/2015 23:42

I was against getting a condenser (my mum has a cheap one that steams up the utility room and never seems to properly dry anuthing) but then I moved to a house with no room for a dryer other than under the stairs, so I had to think again.

Did some research and opted for a heat pump condenser dryer. No steam (which is good, being under the stairs next to the electricity meter!) and dries things perfectly. They aren't cheap - ours is a Samsung and was around £500 - but surely must be cheaper than creating a vent in the roof. Also very energy efficient, so not expensive to run like Teddy said.

PigletJohn · 09/04/2015 23:57

A roof is mostly intended to keep the rain out. Making a hole in it may allow the rain to come in, so I discourage holes in roofs.

However, if the roofer is doing it, and uses a special ventilation tile, he should be able to do a proper job. Avoid any home-made bodges, there are purpose-made roof components to do it.

Also avoid flexible/convoluted hose. It takes less skill and effort to fit, but tends to accumulate fluff and is fairly impossible to clean.

The duct should be insulated, to reduce the risk of condensation, and should also have a condensation trap and drain that you can see and access.

JugglingChaotically · 10/04/2015 00:04

We have a miele condenser drier. 14 years old, fantastic! Still going strong.
Does all alternatives needed for delicates to bone dry.

PrimalLass · 10/04/2015 00:44

Hi - thanks. I was hoping to avoid a condensor as i understood they always leave your clothes damp and are high maintenance

Mine is far, far better than the vented one I had. It is plumbed to drain out, so hardly any bother at all.

sumoweeble · 10/04/2015 01:03

Agree with those saying definitely get a condenser. They are absolutely brilliant and no venting needed. We have a cheapish indesit and it is ace.

FireCanal · 10/04/2015 01:28

I've had two condensers and never had any issues with them. Stuff definitely doesn't come out damp. I don't really understand why people go to the bother of installing vented ones.

JP12345 · 10/04/2015 02:28

I have a cheap Beko one which is amazing, no dampness, no steam. Yes i have to empty it of water every or every other time but it's no biggie. Def would avoid holes in the roof that can cause major problems in years to come.

MaraThonbar · 10/04/2015 09:21

We have a Bosch heat pump condensor, which I would highly recommend.

TeddyBee · 10/04/2015 14:48

Would your neighbour have a problem with your tumble dryer venting out of the wall onto their side? I wouldn't mind personally. PJ makes good points on the roof issue as always. Our condenser was a reasonably priced hotpoint model. It dribbled water, needed the condensing unit thoroughly washed regularly and cost £20 a month more to run than our vented dryer. If you are considering the expense of a roof tile, maybe go the whole hog and get a heat pump one as suggested, sounds incredible and you can normally plumb them in to avoid having to empty the water.

agnesnott · 10/04/2015 14:54

I had one vented through roof at my last house. It did cause damp around inlet and flat roof leaked. Was most annoying Sad

MrsCakesPrecognitionisSwitched · 10/04/2015 14:58

Have you spoken to your neighbour? Depending on the layout of the gardens, it may well be that having warm, damp air from your dryer (as opposed to cold damp air from the weather) doesn't faze them at all.

UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 10/04/2015 17:49

We have a mid - price JL condenser dryer which is 9 years old and works brilliantly. Much better than the vented dryer we had previously. I would sell your vented dryer and buy a condenser dryer rather than make holes in the roof.

Fluffycloudland77 · 10/04/2015 17:53

A heat pump condenser would be cheaper to run and wouldn't need a vent.

Original poster
WineSpider · 10/04/2015 20:11

Ooh - 20 replies! Not as dull as i though, thank you!
We've decided to have a chat with the neighbours or go for a condensor.

OP posts:
SprungHasSpring · 10/04/2015 22:38

Modern condensing dryers are fantastic. We have a Siemens one and it is excellent. I can't imagine ever replacing with a vented one, even though it would (theoretically) be possible in this house.

UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 11/04/2015 08:00

I think 20 years ago condensor dryers weren't that good, but they are excellent now.

As I said, our is alnost 10 years old and dries really fast. It's also got lots of settings so you can get the clothes as dry as you need.

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