Is It Ok To Vent Dryer Into Attic

The international residential code allows you to run a dryer vent through the attic but you can t terminate it there.

Is it ok to vent dryer into attic.

A dryer vent should be vented outside. The photo below shows an accumulation of dryer lint in an attic after years of the vent terminating in it. We are wondering if there is any other way to vent the dryer which is gas. The moisture from wet clothes can cause mold to grow inside walls which can lead to respiratory issues certain types of cancers and death.

Serious hazards can occur when dryer vents do not exhaust directly to the outside. Sometimes such as in town homes or condos it s not possible to vent a dryer through a wall outside. Venting a dryer into attics soffits ridge vents or crawl spaces is expressly prohibited. Protect your family and your home for this very serious threat and others such as mold poor air quality and unwanted pests by having your crawl space properly sealed.

Dryers that vent indoors may go unnoticed especially if they are releasing fumes into an attic or the vent leaks into the space between walls. As seniors cleaning out the vent is a hassle because we can t climb into the attic or move out the stacked washer dryer to get to the vent. In these cases it may be necessary to vent your dryer through the attic. The dryer vents into the attic and not outside.

Venting your dryer to the attic is not only a potential fire hazard but can result in moisture problems which causes more problems. Venting a gas dryer into any enclosed space can cause an accumulation of carbon monoxide that could become lethal to humans and pets. Doing so would fill your attic with warm moist air that could rot the framing. Venting a dryer into an enclosed space is never a good idea.

Our association will not permit any outside venting. Additionally if you own a gas fired dryer you need to install a carbon monoxide detector in your laundry room and ensure that your dryer lines are inspected and cleaned every year.