Most people use duct tape when assembling various sections of the dryer vent. It helps cover the edges or screws of the vent hose, which may obstruct lint on its way out. However, there has been a debate about whether it’s OK to put duct tape on a dryer vent. Here, we shall look at the venting guidelines about duct tape on a dryer vent and give our honest opinion.
Keep reading.
Venting guidelines
The venting guidelines recommend metal tape for securing joints on a dryer vent. Likewise, screws and rivets are discouraged, as they can obstruct lint or cause an accumulation. With this in mind, we shall look at the disadvantages of using duct tape on a dryer vent and give recommendations on the best products to use.
Disadvantages of using duct tape on a dryer vent
- A duct tape is not recommended for covering joints or edges as it can form a barrier that can cause lint to accumulate. Lint is those tiny particles that come out of the laundry from a dryer. They are expelled via the ductwork into the open environment. However, if they accumulate, it means the ductwork will not expel hot air from the dryer, and this can lower the efficiency of your equipment and increase your power bills.
- Duct tape can dry out after a long time because of changes in temperature. When this happens, it can expose small cracks or openings in the joints of your dryer vent. These small openings can be avenues for lint to escape to the walls of the building. Lint can ignite a fire when it rubs against dry surfaces, leading to the destruction of property and risk to life.
- Duct tape is extremely tacky and can turn into a mess when used on a dryer vent. Also, hot vapor from the dryer can soften the glue and make it come off.
What’s the best alternative to duct tape?
You can use metal foil instead of duct tape to cover joints in your dryer vent. Metal foils are expensive but can last longer than duct tapes. We recommend the aluminum tape from Impresa product for covering the joints in your dryer vent.
We chose this product because it’s made of high-quality and industrial-grade aluminum. Therefore, it’ll last longer and deliver the best value for money.
Sometimes the ductwork may run from the basement and to the roof. Thus, the dryer vent may cover a large area, and therefore there will be many joints. The ductwork may be enclosed inside the walls of the building and hence the need for a more durable metal duct. This metal foil will form a reliable bond in such scenarios.
Another reason why we chose this aluminum foil is that it’s coated with epoxy resin. Therefore, it can withstand external effects such as corrosion. It holds up pretty well against vapor or moisture. Also, it can withstand a temperature change which is sufficient in providing a stable bond.
Conclusion
When sealing or covering joints in your dryer vent, it’s essential to use the right material. Our discussion shows that duct tape is not the right material since it can damage temperature changes and disintegrate. Therefore, this can be a fire hazard when lint escapes and on surfaces. It can block the passageway for lint, leading to an accumulation that affects your dryer efficiency, translating to high bills. Metal foils are the best products since they are durable and offer a bond for long-lasting performance. Contact a professional for fixing the metal foil duct on your dryer vent.
