Installation considerations

DryerDock is designed so that the vent-pipe adapter "wedges" into the pipe to create an interferance fit. This means no sealant is required, although a silicon or other heat resistant sealant may be used if desired. Because of this "designed-in" fit, we have tested DryerDock with a number of different vents and vent adapters, and there are several issues to take into consideration in order to achieve a successful installation. These include:

• Two sizes of "four-inch" vent pipes
• Two methods, and two variations of one of those methods, for fastening the "flat" aluminum (or, in some cases, galvanized steel) into the tube shape
• Variances in the size of the vent pipes as manufactured.

Because of the size, fastening, and manufacturing variations, there are times when DryerDock will not fit directly into the vent pipe. This page is to help the user identify potential installation problems and to offer solutions to any problems which may arise.

Two sizes of vent pipes

The two sizes of vent pipes are (1) the "home standard" size used for most home installations, and (2) a "manufactured home" size used in the manufactured home industry. The ones used for manufactured homes are generally about .060 smaller in diameter than the home standard size. This means the DryerDock vent-pipe adapter does not easily fit into the vent pipes normally installed in manufactured homes, and additional work is often required to fit the DryerDock vent-pipe adapter into manufactured-home vent pipes.

Two tube-fastening methods

Vent pipes are generally fastened into a tube shape by either (1) inserting rivets, or (2) by crimping the metal so the two edges snap together. The crimping method is generally known as Reeves Snaplock, and there are two variations, lock type "A" and lock type "B." These two types are illustrated below.

Lock Type "A"
Modified Reeves Snaplock

Lock Type "B"
Reeves Snaplock

Most vents use the lock type "B" version of the Reeves Snaplock. Each page about a vent we have tested with DryerDock lists the method used to secure that vent pipe. See the Vents Tested Page. DryerDock normally fits into the riveted-style vent pipes without any problem, and we have not encountered any need to take other measures to fit the vent-pipe adapter into them. Most of the time, DryerDock also fits into the Reeves Snaplock style vent pipes without any additional work. However, we have encountered occasional instances where DryerDock will not fit the lock type "B" without additional work.

Manufacturing variances

Generally, we have found that identical Snaplock units from the same manufacturer will vary slightly in size. This is not surprising, as vent pipes in the home do not require the parts to meet a high- tolerance specification, nor is the Snaplock pipe locking method highly precise.

Installation solutions

In our experience, about 20% of the time the DryerDock vent-pipe adapter will not insert directly into a lock type "B" vent pipe. If that is the problem you are encountering, the vent pipe must be altered in one or more ways as documented below.

No. 1: The "mash the lock" solution

In our experience, if the vent-pipe adapter will not fit directly into the vent pipe, about 90% of the time, we can "mash" the lock in the vent pipe with pliers in order to enable the DryerDock vent-pipe adapter to insert into the vent pipe. Therefore, we suggest you try this "fix" first.

No. 2: The "enlarge the pipe" solution

On one occasion, the "mash the lock" solution was not sufficient to enable the vent-pipe adapter to insert into the vent pipe. We then "enlarged" the diameter of the end of the vent pipe by gently bending about 1/2" at the end of the pipe with pliers in several places around the periphery. The combination of "mash" and "bend" enabled the adapter to insert into the vent pipe.

No. 3: The "slit the pipe" solution

We have not had to try this, but it is possible that if the above two solutions still don't make room for the adapter to insert, you might try making 1/2" slits in the pipe at about six places, then gently bend the ends of the pipe outward as in solution No. 2.

No. 4: The "crimp the pipe" solution

Again, we have not tried this, but have considered it as a possible "last-resort fix". Although this method may provide a "fix" in the extreme situation, we do not recommend using this solution because it will create a "lip" which may tend to trap lint. This method allows the vent-pipe adapter to slip over the outside of the vent pipe rather than insert into it. There are crimping tools available, and one of these tools would be used to crimp the periphery of the pipe to reduce the diameter of the end of the pipe so it would insert into the DryerDock vent-pipe adapter. The result would look similar to the crimped end of a normal extension vent pipe. If you resort to this method, we suggest you seal the adapter to the pipe with silicon or other heat resistant sealant. This method will also create a place for lint to collect at the lip of the pipe inside the adapter, and any such installation should be inspected and cleaned more frequently than might otherwise be required.

If you didn't find the solution here

If you encounter problems not addressed above, please email to us and we will attempt to provide a solution to the problem you encountered.