Leaky Roof Around Dryer Vent? (floor, roof shingles, washer, townhouse)

[nyc2020]

Our washer and dryer are on the second floor and the dryer vent tube goes into the ceiling of the laundry room. I noticed the ceiling around the vent having a water stain and now it's starting to crack and sag. I'm guessing this is due to a leak in the roof shingles around the outside vent. Just want to make sure this is it before I call out the roofer.

[chet everett]

I suspect that this is the handiwork of someone that is very unskilled, has no knowledge of code, and likely has made other mistakes.

The air exhausted from a dryer is very very very warm and carries a great deal of moisture vapor. As soon as that exhaust hits cold air the moisture vapor will condense to liquid water. Liquid water will them fall down and cause problems. There may very well be liquid water leaking right back into the pipe. If you live in an area where there is often snow on the roof there can be dangerous build up of melted snow that refreezes into ice that seeps back into a the roof. Codes often specify a type of vent that will prevent this.

There are ways to do this with a specific anti-condensing vent or using a vent line that exits through a side wall horizontally so any liquid can safely drip away. http://www.dryerjack.com/djk486/index.html You will note that thing is sorta HUGE so that it does not make a mess. It also has flap so that squirrels do not crawl into the exhaust when the dry is not running and fill it with acorns. It also has a removable access so that you can clean out the lint -- that is a code requirement in many jurisdictions as a lint filled dryer vent is often a fire waiting to happens!

I am afraid you have to rip out your ceiling to diagnose the extent of the damage. You should also have the proper type vent to safely get the dry exhaust out to the roof. The pipe itself needs to have a proper weather sealing "boot" on it.

This could get very expensive and may be worth making a claim on your home owner's policy. It may be best to re-route to a side wall...

[sj08054]

Is there an attic above the 2nd floor? First thing I would check is to see if the dryer vent itselft is the culprit. If you have access to the vent above the ceiling, I would inspect that first.

[nyc2020]

good point. let me get up there into the attic.

[nyc2020]

so i got into the attic. moved all the stuffing so i could get a view and feel for the ceiling. definitely felt the deterioration but felt no moisture. i haven't used the dryer in a few days and it hasn't rained either.

i saw the dryer vent in tact....not really sure what to look for there. just signs of a leak i guess but the last time there was a leak around there i would hear the ticking sound of rain against the aluminum.

[sj08054]

You need to take note of when it leaks.

Does it rain or after rain?
When you are using the dryer?

Does the drver vent come up to the attic and then up to the roof? I would inspect to make sure that the vent flap is working properly.

[nyc2020]

true.... So other than getting on the roof maybe I run the dryer at night and look for stream

[sj08054]

Originally Posted by nyc2020

true.... So other than getting on the roof maybe I run the dryer at night and look for stream

Put a bunch of fabric softener sheet in the dryer and run it. Can you smell it outside?

[nyc2020]

Originally Posted by sj08054

Put a bunch of fabric softener sheet in the dryer and run it. Can you smell it outside?

that would be hard to do since the vent is way up. it's a three story townhouse so it's quite high.

here's a pic i took tonight. in the beginning i noticed the stain ring...then that escalated into this. the crusty part is about to fall apart any minute. not sure what i should do. for the short term, maybe patch up with plaster and caulk. i do feel clothes are taking longer to dry.

[nybbler]

Get the problem fixed first before worrying about the ceiling. Does the part on the roof look like the one Chet posted or is it just a straight pipe? I'm guessing this whole thing was done completely wrong... is that flexible duct just shoved through a hole in the ceiling?