Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - dryer venting question

Hello, I'm in the process of relocating my laundry room in the basement. All pluming and electrical is complete, with the exeption of the VENTING. The laundry room is located near the wall. It is a new house, with the 2x10 floor joists running PARALLEL to the foundation wall. In the same area above the wall, there are other penetrations for utilities, although none is larger than the 4" i need for a dryer vent. Is it OK for me to drill the 4" hole in the same area (i think it is called the sill plate?). I'm a little hesitatant to drill a 4" hole if it would violate the integrity of the structure.

Also, what do you recomment in terms of the venting material itself, flexible metal or something other.

Thannks in advance for your help.

tom

There is no harm in cutting the 4" hole in the sill plate. There is no span to weaken and all weight is supported by the foundation wall. Be cautious where you vent it so as not to dump lint in the area of your outdoor a/c unit or any other intake that would suffer from the clogging effect of the lint. The best duct to use is aluminum. Either solid 4" pipe and fittings or the heavier flexible corrigated pipe.

thank u much kfield. good point on avoiding venting near the AC units as they are currently directly on other side of the wall, so I'll need to be a little creative.

Like KField said dont vent anywhere near that A/C O/D unit. I think if you look you can run a vent like that for up to 15' of pipe/ But you have to count a 90o L in the pipe as 5' .Id also say the solid 4" pipe is better;) ED

do not use sheetmetal screws, as they will trap the lint. in georgia code says pipe should be held together with rivets. be sure the crimp is toward the outlet end of the pipe.

I'm sure glad i brought this up with the Forum, and appreciate everyone's suggestions and tips. I have one more follow-up question. How far should the vent be located from the AC units? Both AC units are located directly opposite the interior wall where the dryer will be placed? Can I change direction of the vent outside so that it vents away, or will this cause a problem with winds, etc. I may not have a choice but to run the vent across the room to other side of the house. Please advise!

Id say run it to the other side . With the wind and all, also the A/C unit's own fan would try and suck the lint in. Then dont forget it would also be a warm air comeing out of the vent pipe and this wont help the A/C unit. So vent this dryer as far away from the A/C O/D unit as you can;) ED

will do. thanks Ed.