Can You Use Dryer Vent for Bathroom Fan? (4 Risks Explained!)
A dryer and a bathroom fan have one thing in common; they all emit exhaust air that should be vented out. For that reason, some people assume that the two could share the same vent. But can you use dryer vent for bathroom fan?
You cannot use a dryer vent for a bathroom fan because it’s unlawful to do so. According to the International Residential Code, dryers and bathroom fans should have separate ducts to avoid fire, mold, and slipping risks.
But the law aside, it spells trouble combining the dryer and the bathroom fan vent as you risk lint, which is a fire hazard, and moist air drawing into the bathroom and damaging its wall and ceilings.
It also becomes harder to clean your dryer ductwork as they have strict cleaning requirements.
How about insurance claims and when you want to sell your house?
Well, home insurance companies are more likely to deny your fire claim. Moreover, the house may not pass a home inspection when you want to sell it.
Let’s dig deeper into these reasons!
4 Key Reasons You Cannot Use Dryer Vent for Bathroom Fan
Generally, a dryer and bathroom fan shouldn’t share a vent due to these four key reasons:
1. It’s Unlawful – The International Residential Code (IRC) Prohibits It
According to the International Residential Code, you shouldn’t combine dryer ductwork with any other, not even an exhaust system, in a residential setup.
The IRC actually calls it illegal, which means you may be subject to criminal charges if something goes wrong and someone innocent gets hurt in your house.
But is that the only risk?
No! The IRC states several possible hazards such as fire, mold, and slippage associated with such a decision.
Read more about the IRC Code on combining dryer and bathroom fan vents here.
2. Moist Air Pullback
Remember, a dryer’s function is to vent out moisture to enable your clothes to dry. Sadly, that may not be the case if the dryer and the bathroom fan share a vent.
In such a case, moist air will pull back into your bathroom instead of getting out, which comes with a few serious risks.
First, the moist air could spark the growth of fungi, especially mold and mildew, which have serious respiratory effects and can damage your bathroom paint.
Second, the moistness could become a slip hazard. It makes your bathroom floor slippery, improving the risks of slipping and falling.
Last but not least, the dampness could directly damage your bathroom ceiling and walls, leading to structural issues which could extend beyond the bathroom.
3. Lint Pullback
Before I can explain this risk, let me mention what lint is. Lint refers to the fabric fragments that separate from your cloth during the cleaning process.
Since these fragments are smaller, they are quickly expelled alongside the moist air through your house’s ventilation system.
If the dryer and the exhaust fan share the same ductwork, lint may draw into your bathroom and get to the fun, becoming potentially flammable.
So, lint is a fire hazard when it gets to the exhaust fan where there is so much heat production. Lint also interferes with your bathroom fan’s performance. So fire is not the only risk.
4. Dryer Ductwork Has Strict Cleaning Requirements
When comparing the two ductwork, dryer ducting calls for sterner cleaning requirements. The ductwork has to be clean to vent out air efficiently.
The other reason is that the cleaning prevents damage and keeps the ductwork safe from mold and even fire when lint dries. So, if the two ducts combine, the dryer duct will likely collect more debris, dirt, and other unwanted fragments, making cleaning difficult.
Besides, the fact that the cleaning or maintenance is more challenging means the performance efficiency of the two systems reduces.
Can You Use Dryer Vent for Bathroom Fan and Claim Insurance Compensation?
Homeowner insurance companies always look for loopholes not to compensate you for damages, and you give them one when you combine the dryer and bathroom fan vent.
In case of a fire claim, your insurance company will likely point to this reason and deny your claim.
According to them, such a risk is avoidable by following the basic IRC building regulations.
Can You Use Dryer Duct for Bathroom Fan and Sell Your House?
Put yourself in the home buyer’s shoes! Would you risk buying a home with serious safety, health, and fire risks?
I guess not! So, if you are planning to sell your house anytime soon, it’s a good idea to separate the bathroom vent from the dryer vent.
Besides, your house won’t pass a home inspection if the two systems are sharing a vent. Home inspectors are likely to identify this issue at first glance and may advise potential buyers against it.
What Type of Duct to Use for Bathroom Exhaust Fan?
Generally, you can use either a flexible or rigid duct for your exhaust fan, with both options enjoying their fair share of pros and cons.
- Flexible Duct
As the name suggests, flexible ducts are easy to maneuver. These ducts allow you to fit them in tighter spaces almost seamlessly, and you can bend them as much as you want.
They are also easy to install and more durable, given that they come in an aluminum build.
The downside is that they often sag if poorly supported and may suffer friction which reduces their efficiency.
2. Rigid Duct
Unlike flexible ducts, rigid ducts don’t sag and suffer as much friction as flexible options. So, they are the best for high-pressure use.
They also have a longer lifespan and enjoy low maintenance. Their downside, however, is that they are costlier and not flexible enough to fit into tighter spots.
Additionally, they can be noisy.
Overall, you cannot go wrong with the HVAC 4″ X 20′ Round-Duct Pipe (View on Amazon).
This rigid ducting comes in a galvanized metal construction, thus rust-resistant and easy to maintain. It’s also durable and energy-efficient and enjoys a snap-lock design for easy fitting.
What Can I Use If I Don’t Have a Bathroom Fan?
While a bathroom fan is unequalled in performance when venting out moisture and foul odor, you can still do without it.
Here are its substitutes:
- Open the bathroom doors and windows when taking a shower to get rid of exhaust air.
- Install an air conditioning system in the bathroom to also help lower the bathroom humidity.
- Unseal your bathroom door if it’s sealed.
- Utilize a regular fan to promote air circulation through the bathroom and to vent out moist air.
- Use a portable dehumidifier, which lowers the humidity of your bathroom, and you can even use it in the basement and garage as it’s portable.
People Also Ask
1. Can You Use Dryer Vent Duct for Bathroom Fan?
It’s generally unacceptable to use a dryer vent duct for a bathroom fan as the duct may draw in moisture or lint into the fan. Lint is potentially flammable, while moistening the ceilings and walls can interfere with the building’s integrity.
2. Can Flexible Duct Be Used for Bathroom Fan?
Yes, a flexible duct is a good choice for the bathroom. It is cheap and easy to fit in tighter spaces and offers a tighter seal. The only issue is that a flexible duct is likely to sag if you don’t support it well.
3. What Can I Use for A Bathroom Vent Pipe?
You should preferably use a foam-core PVC pipe as it’s easy to glue and make it water-tight. With it, you wouldn’t have to worry about water leaking into your walls and ceilings and damaging them.
4. Are Vent Fans Required in Bathrooms?
Vent fans are essential in expelling moisture out of your bathroom, more so when taking a shower. In doing so, they promise a cleaner surrounding, one that’s free from odor, dampness, and stuffiness.
5. Can A Dryer Vent Be Used for A Bathroom Vent?
A dryer vent cannot be used as a bathroom vent as it’s illegal, unhealthy, and unsafe to do so. The International Residential Code prohibits it as it could potentially lead to serious risks like fire, mold, and slipping. So, consider separating the two vents.
6. What Do You Do If Your Bathroom Has No Exhaust Fan?
Nothing replaces the bathroom exhaust fan apart from an AC. However, you can still ensure the free flow of exhaust air to the outside by learning to open the bathroom window when you shower.
Can You Use Dryer Vent for Bathroom Fan? Final Remarks:
As discussed, it’s unsafe and unlawful to combine the dryer and bathroom fan vents. So, consider fitting the two vents separately instead of taking such a risk, which is often financially costly.
After all, your dryer and bathroom fans are likely to work more efficiently when their ducts are independent of each other.
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