skip to main content

Can washer and dryer pipes and the vent hose be recessed in wall?

16 years ago

Hi - I apolologize in advance if my terminology is bad! We have a new side-by-side Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer that is at the end of our long galley kitchen. It has a counter over it, but the w/d sticks out too far. We would like to recess the plumbing pipes and the dryer "hose" into the wall if possible since it is not possible to extend the countertop. The wall we would like to recess these in to is an outside wall. Is this possible? Thanks for your advice and any tips you may have, in advance!

Kristy

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

gordonr
16 years ago
Do you live where the temp goes much below 32F? Is your construction 2x4 or 2x6?

In cold climates plumbers always prefer to run water pipes within interior wall, but sometimes this isn't possible so they will insulate them well and place them in the wall cavity so as much insulation as possible can sit between the pipe and the exterior. This might also be a good place to use sprayed in-place insulation as exterior infiltration can render fiberglass insulation less effective. On the dryer side products like the "Dryerbox" can give you a little wiggle room to push the dryer all the way back.
mcubed
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi Gordon - I live in S Cal, so it very rarely gets that cold. I am not sure about my construction, but my house is a 60 year old California cottage/bungalow style if that's any indication. Where do I get a dryer box and is this a job for a plumber (start to finish)?

Thanks so much for your time and help. I appreciate it.
Related Discussions
Foil dryer vent hose OK to use? Whirlpool warns against it.
Q
Comments (12)
dalemccl... In short the foil (and sister plastic) vent hoses have dimples or ripples caused by the wire ring spiraling through the material that it supports. It's those dimples through out the length of the hose that causes a lot of wind turbulence within the hose. Moisture and heat from the dryer pump through the hose and the moisture condenses inside the hose and lint clings on to it. Some of it is dislodged by the force of the dryer fan but some becomes stuck like a paste. Every cycle, this happens again and again eventually coating the inside of the hose. A solid metal hose/pipe has no ripples so it's the lease resistant. Flexible metal has tiny ripples so there is minimal wind turbulence. Flat out DON'T USE those cheap foil or plastic hoses. Like dixiedarlin1 stated, you can try the "Periscope" type vent. Or replace what you have with "Flexible Metal" (Flexible Metal being the best of both worlds...flexible like the cheap plastic/foil tubes but rigid like solid metal). Remember, if there ever was a fire, metal hoses will not melt and spread the fire like foil and plastic WILL. Now is the perfect time to upgrade your venting situation since your getting a new dryer. Check your outside vent cover or flapper to see if it needs updating, cleaning or replacing. I updated my old setup and cut my drying time by 10 minutes.
...See More
Stackable washer & dryer - vent hole question.
Q
Comments (4)
If you're planning a stacked washer/dryer it would make sense to place the vent line in the vicinity of the dryer vent port. If you don't know which washer dryer combination you'll be buying, then it might make sense to place the vent through the outside wall centered in the area of the laundry pair but slightly below the level of the bottom of the dryer. It's never a good idea to have vent ducting running vertically up, if it can be avoided. That being said, the shorter the vent line -- the better -- so if you can make your choice of appliances now, you can have the vent opening placed at an optimal location where it won't conflict with other connections for electrical, plumbing or gas lines -- but be as short as possible.
...See More
Dryer venting and space from wall "dryer box"
Q
Comments (5)
The "Periscope" pipe or solution mentioned above is a quick fix, but they are surprisingly very very inefficient. At 7 minutes into the vid the fitting is tested (.50 wci of pressure delta). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFOHGVhmyQA name of vid: How to reduce your clothes drying time and save energy costs The Dryerbox option is more work, but if the retro fit box installation goes smoothly, the benefits are huge. Here are links to installation pictures and instructions: bottom of this page: http://www.dryerbox.com/photo_gallery.htm instructions: http://www.dryerbox.com/pages/retro/index-500.html Generally it takes about 30 minutes to complete.
...See More
Disconnected dryer vent in wall - can't access
Q
Comments (4)
I would go for the shorter, more efficient route. Also check the dryer manual for max run length with number of turns. Since when are garages supposed to be pretty anyway? If da wife complains, just say FIRE. We have your back. Gat that sucker fixed. My sister almost had a fire in her relatively new house a few years ago. My sis messed with the original plan and moved the laundry to the basement from the 2nd floor. The idiot builders ran an overly-long duct to the back of the basement. It clogged up and started to smolder. Duct now makes a much shorter run to the adjacent garage and then out the front. Just last summer on one of my occasional visits East, I noticed that the originally-planned dryer vent was installed outside near (2nd) floor level on the back of the house. Good grief!
...See More
gordonr
16 years ago
Check out: www.dryerbox.com for info. Plumbers I've known here in New England (where cold temps matter) would show little interest in doing the remodeling to install the dryerbox. Once it was in place they would be happy to run ducts and a gas line to the dryerbox if your dryer is gas. They would obviously also move water lines as well for the washer. Don't know what your So. Calif plumbers are like. Here it would be a mini-project requiring some minimal GC type skills. Around here there are people who I'd call handymen who do small projects and they typically know plumbers and electricians who could be called in.
mcubed
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks so much Gordon. All seems very doable! :)

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Should You Get a Recessed or Wall-Mounted Medicine Cabinet?

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Here’s what you need to know to pick the right bathroom medicine cabinet and get it installed

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor Tips: Advice for Laundry Room Design

By Buckminster Green LLC

Thinking ahead when installing or moving a washer and dryer can prevent frustration and damage down the road

LAUNDRY ROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Laundry Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make fluffing and folding more enjoyable by borrowing these ideas from beautifully designed laundry rooms

LAUNDRY ROOMS Laundry Makes a Clean Break With Its Own Room

Laundry rooms are often a luxury nowadays, but a washer-dryer nook in a kitchen, office or hallway will help you sort things out

LAUNDRY ROOMS A Kitchen Laundry Cabinet Full of Surprises

By Mitchell Parker

A little DIY spirit allowed this homeowner to add a washer, dryer, kitchen countertop and dining table all in one

PETS 5 Finishes Pets and Kids Can’t Destroy — and 5 to Avoid

By Christine Tusher

Save your sanity and your decorating budget by choosing materials and surfaces that can stand up to abuse

RUSTIC STYLE Houzz Tour: Modern Meets Rustic on a Lake in Texas

By Becky Harris

A builder uses her home as a design-construction lab, fashioning gabion walls, pipe lights and reclaimed-wood features

HOME OFFICES Quiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home

By Christine Ciarmello

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

KITCHEN STORAGE Boost Your Kitchen Storage With Pegboard on a Wall

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Julia Child knew it: This budget-friendly material is a winner for wall organization

BATHROOM DESIGN Small-Bathroom Secret: Free Up Space With a Wall-Mounted Sink

By Rachel Grace

Make a tiny bath or powder room feel more spacious by swapping a clunky vanity for a pared-down basin off the floor

Sponsored

More Discussions

Second Floor Laundry - Water Shutoff/Leak Protection

8

Dryer is taking too long to dry!!!

14

Modern brass wall hooks?

11

Seeking comments on Laundry Room renovation

3

Change my house layout Help needed

11