Having a dryer at home definitely gives you the convenience of washing, drying, and storing your clothes all in one room. Yet, without a suitable vent, the dryer won’t function properly.
Now here’s a question, can you vent a dryer into a crawl space?
The answer is no, as venting a dryer into a crawl space has so many risks that it’s simply not worth trying your luck with.
In this article, we’ll tackle why it isn’t recommended to vent a dryer into the crawl space. Keep reading!
What Are the Risks of Venting a Dryer Into a Crawl Space?
Earlier in the 80s, many builders would vent dryers into the attic, garage, or crawl space. Through the years, this practice proved to be harmful in the following ways:
1 – Increases in House Temperature
When you vent your dryer into a crawl space, the hot air from the vent will accumulate in this limited space and rise. This can make your house hotter, especially during summertime.
You might think of doing this during the winter season, but it won’t work as a heater. It’ll only cause damage to your crawl space due to the excessive heat.
2 – Dust Build Up
Crawl spaces are already dusty on their own, and more dust can enter your home through the vented air if your dryer’s air is released into a crawl space.
If you have cracks in your foundation, this dust will find its way to your walls and furniture.
In addition, the accumulated lint will scatter throughout your home after your clothes have dried. Talk about endless cleaning hours!
3 – Mold Growth
Mold grows in spaces where there’s warm and moist air. By going for indoor venting, you’re bringing a huge amount of moist air into your house.
This encourages mold growth, which can pose a serious health danger to the people living in your house. Exposure to mold can cause mild to severe allergic reactions, such as:
- Stuffy nose
- Wheezing
- Red or itchy eyes and skin
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
4 – Potential Fire Hazard
Venting your dryer into a crawl space will also lead to lint buildup on clothes and under the house. Since lint is highly flammable, it could pose a fire hazard, which can cause significant damage to your house.
Now, if your dryer vents into a crawl space and a fire starts there, it’ll be difficult to find and too late to control. This can lead to troublesome results.
5 – Pest Infestation
Pests such as mice and cockroaches can get inside your house through dryer vents. If your vent is uncovered or damaged, you’re giving these pests easy access to the rest of your interior space.
Similarly, small pests such as dust mites, mold mites, and silverfish will have the opportunity to grow inside your home. They have the potential to bring health issues for you and your family, as well as damage to your house.
6 – Structural Damage
You won’t easily notice this, but venting your dryer under your house can cause structural damage over time. Too much moisture and mold build-up can weaken the foundation of your house.
Ceilings may also become saggy, and walls may start to bend out of shape. In addition, moisture overload can cause the wood in walls, flooring, and furniture to rot.
7 – Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
With indoor venting, harmful gasses will be released into your home if the crawl space has dirt or lint blockage. These gasses include carbon monoxide, which is a gas that’s hard to detect if you don’t have a designated detector.
According to statistics, accidental CO poisoning causes at least 430 deaths in the U.S. every year. This is why you should steer clear of anything that might cause CO poisoning, including letting a dryer vent into your crawl space.
Final Thoughts
Can you vent a dryer into a crawl space? No, you can’t.
Doing this can increase your house’s temperature and invite more dust into your rooms.
In addition, venting a dryer underneath your house encourages mold growth and pest infestations. It can also lead to CO poisoning and possible fire outbreaks.
You won’t only be risking your property, but also the health of your family members. So, it’s best to find other, safer ways to vent your dryer.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. As a homeowner, I love working on projects around the house, and as a father, I love investigating various ways to keep my family safe (whether or not this involves tech). I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.