Dryer Wall Vent Installation in Belmont, CA

## New Dryer Exhaust System Installed in Belmont This Belmont residence needed a complete dryer wall vent installation where no compliant exterior termination previously existed. Our technician penetrated through multiple wall layers, including 5/8-inch drywall, 5/8-inch shear plywood, and the exterior stucco siding, to create a proper exhaust pathway that terminates outside the building envelope as required by IRC M1502.3. Without a proper exterior termination, a dryer venting into an interior wall cavity or enclosed space would exhaust hot, moisture-laden, lint-carrying air directly into the structure, creating serious mold, fire, and (for gas dryers) carbon monoxide risks. ## Materials and Installation Details The exhaust pathway was constructed using approximately 12 inches of 26-gauge rigid round metal duct paired with an 8-inch flat 28-gauge wall plate at the interior connection point. On the exterior, the team installed an InOvate dryer wall vent hood, flush-mounted with a silicone bead to create a weathertight seal against the stucco siding. The InOvate hood features a gravity backdraft damper, satisfying the IRC M1502.3 requirement that all dryer vent terminations be equipped with a functioning damper that opens freely during dryer operation and closes under its own weight when the dryer stops. Screens at the termination opening are explicitly prohibited under M1502.3 because they trap lint, and the InOvate design avoids this issue entirely. ## Before and After: From Improper Outlet to Code-Compliant Termination Photos from the job document the transformation clearly. The interior work shows the metal collar and square wall plate secured to the wall with four screws, providing a clean, lint-free duct connection at the origin point. The exterior before condition featured a gray rectangular periscope-style cap; the completed installation replaced this with the InOvate flush-mount hood, identifiable by its white body and decorative trim ring, seated flat against the tan stucco. The final exterior installation is secure, properly sealed, and free of any debris or obstructions. ## Why This Work Matters A correctly installed dryer vent that terminates on the exterior of the home is not optional under the International Residential Code. IRC M1502.2 requires that the exhaust system convey all moisture to the outdoors, and IRC M1502.4.8 mandates that any home with a dryer space must have a complete duct system in place. By using rigid metal duct, a proper wall plate, and a quality flush-mount exterior hood with an integrated backdraft damper, this Belmont installation meets current code requirements and gives the homeowner a safe, efficient exhaust pathway for years to come. Annual inspection is still recommended per NFPA fire-safety guidance to keep the system clear of lint accumulation.