1 |
All standard American clothes dryers have an exhaust port in the center of the
rear panel at the very bottom. Cut an 8” square investigation hole in the drywall near the center of the proposed appliance and about 10” off the
floor. Cut the investigation hole carefully as you may discover that installing your Retro-Fit box will not be practical due to unknown obstacles or
situations. Hint: Hold blade at an angle (aiming to center) when cutting to make it easier to reinstall the drywall
cut-out if installation is not practical. Proceed to step 2 if install is possible. |
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Locate
and cut investigation hole |
2 |
No template is included, so you may want to trace the outer edges of the Retro-Fit box and then by-hand, transfer an imaginary line about 7/8” in from that on
the two sides and about 3/8” on the top. If you can hold it off the floor about 3/8” it will assist with the installation later. But not too much, as we
hope to caulk the gap at the bottom or have the future flooring material cover it.
Preferred installation is port up, although it will work lying on its side. Turning box upside down (port down) will not provide adequate storage and recoil
space for flex connector pipe and is discouraged (unless it is a stackable washer / dryer). |
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Trace and
hand pencil cut-line |
3 |
Cut out your hand drawn cut-line on the drywall and cut the original trace line over the baseboard. This will allow the Retro-Fit box to be installed against
the drywall. Note the notch in the lower left picture.
Remember to hold it a bit above the finish floor, just enough for caulk or grout. The higher we can install the box, the easier it will be to install. |
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Cut drywall
and baseboard to accept the Retro-Fit box |
4 |
Mark and cut the galvanized Snaplock pipe about 1 3/4” from the lower edge of the drywall. Using a Dremel or roto-disk cut-off blade will probably be the easiest.
Attempting to cut it with a hack-saw is out of the question. A long metal cutting blade on a reciprocating saw might work but try to get a Dremel.
Always wear eye protection. |
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Cut 4"
Snaplock pipe about 1 3/4" from drywall edge |
5 |
With needle-nose pliers or similar tool, attempt to crimp the end of the galvanized pipe by grabbing and twisting the metal in even increments all the way
around the end. This will narrow the pipe end a bit and will assist you when you are installing the Retro-Fit box in the next step. |
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Crimp &
twist end to narrow pipe a bit |
6 |
The
step requiring the most patience
Tuck the upper end of the Retro-Fit box into the opening attempting to align the pipe through the opening. Place a shim shake or two under the Retro-Fit box
and prepare to nudge the bottom with your foot, while you pry, align, push, pull and work the Snaplock pipe through the opening. Using putty knifes, screw
drivers and pliers may be helpful. Be creative and patient. |
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Tuck, align
and maneuver pipe through port |
7 |
Once you get the pipe through the top port, work on getting the Retro-Fit box all the way against the drywall. Use drywall screws or self-tapping screws
to secure the bottom of the Retro-Fit box to the bottom plate. Fastening the bottom to the bottom plate is actually all the affixing you will need as the Snaplock
pipe holds the top of the box firmly against the drywall. Un-crimp the Snaplock pipe and make sure it has no burrs or obstructions. Caulk the baseboard
cuts and any gaps. Put your tools away and grab a beer. |
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Attach with
screws and caulk where needed, click image to enlarge |
Notes:
- When installing in an exterior frame
wall, make sure to add insulation or duct board to back
side of box to minimize condensation and temperature transfer.
- The Snaplock pipe can be vented straight
up to a roof jack, to a side-wall vent hood or downwards
to a crawlspace or floor joist system. Width of box
and width of Snaplock pipe will facilitate 16” o.c.
stud spacing. Do not turn the box upside down unless
it is being used for a stackable washer/dryer combo or a
dryer on a pedastal.
- An alternate to this installation is
using a new construction box - click
here to see pictures
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