Conducting a length of pipe vents dryers outdoors. While vent covers seal this opening satisfactorily from problems like rodents, it is possible for air to leak out little gaps, or even for dust and insects to enter your house. Silicone caulk or spray foam are perfect for sealing dryer vent gaps, and provide a durable seal that protects eliminates and pests air infiltration. The product you should use depends on the size.
Narrow Gaps
Remove the dryer vent cover and wash around the opening with a damp cloth to remove dust and debris. Silicone adheres best to wash surfaces.
Add a tube of silicone caulk into a gun and trim the silicone tube by means of a utility knife’s tip. Typically is sufficient, but you might want to assess the size of the gap. Reduce the tip until you have an opening that’s large enough to produce a bead of caulk that will fill the gap.
Replace the cover and use a bead of silicone caulk around the gap between the wall and the pipe. Silicone caulk contains little to no shrinkage and does not enlarge, so you be sure you fill the gap all the way round.
Any spills from the wall with a sterile cloth. If the silicone has dried, you can peel it and clean residue with mineral spirits or paint thinner.
Allow at least eight hours curing time prior to exposing or painting the caulk.
Medium to Large Gaps
Before you begin put on gloves and safety goggles. Foams are available in different kinds, which are intended for different tasks. Pick the formulas recommended for sealing cracks and gaps when sealing around your dryer vent.
Remove the dryer vent cover and use a damp cloth to wash away dust, dirt and debris. Spray foam adheres best to wash, dry surfaces.
Add the spray straw, which is usually taped to the side of the spray foam can, in the opening at the top of the can.
Replace the cover and insert the spray straw into the gap between the wall and the dryer vent .
Depress use around the circumference of the vent and the trigger on the spray foam. Do not fill the opening. As it heals fill the gap no longer than one-half to three-quarters full, spray foam expands by about 25 percent.
Wait 24 hours for the foam. After it’s treated with a utility knife, Reduce foam.