Relocating a dryer vent
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Ifi28035764
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I own a townhouse. The dryer and vent is located on a interior wall. The vent makes the first 90 degree into the wall, a second 90 degree turn where the vent was run under the Master bedroom and a third 90 degree turn, where the vent exits, on grade. I discovered that because the dryer exits on grade, water was entering the system, making it impossible to dry clothes. I don’t know what to do because relocating the exit vent seems impossible because the only options appear to vent through the roof (I’m told this could lead to attic fires), or one 90 degree turn, exiting to the rear of the house however, venting this ways will certainly cause the air conditioner to suck in the lint from the dryer vent.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!
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dryers will one or more bends will collect lint quickly. This will slow down the drying time of clothes. Venting thru the roof is generally acceptable. You need to keep combustible materials at least 2” away from pipe, this includes roof decking and use the proper roof vent. To clear lint from pipe, some people use a leaf blower to clear lint. The dryer has to be moved, this exposes the vent in the wall. The blower will clear the pipe in less than minute usually.
Every 90 degree elbow equals to 5' of straight run pipe. I'm surprised it vents properly. You would need to check with your association if you can change the venting. They may provide a solution. Another option would be to put in another elbow and length of pipe to vent above grade. Seal any openings with caulk and pipe joints with foil tape.
I would vent through the roof, if allowed. Instead of an elbow where it turns up use a tee. Tie the dryer into the center tee connection with one end up and one end down. Cap off the turned down end. It will trap any lint that doesn't go up and out. A vent called a roof cap for dryer vents on top of the roof.
https://www.google.com/search?q=roof+dryer+vent+cap&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiMlILXxLPcAhVMPawKHd7MCvUQsAQInwI&biw=1093&bih=498
When clothes take longer to dry, it’s because of lint build up in vent. Try blowing lint out vent pipe and see if that makes a difference. The water in the vent may be condensation of warm moist air meeting cooler air. The exterior vent cap should keep rain water out, check that for damage. Dryers vented thru roof are common.