Dryer Guide
How to Install a Dryer Vent Through a Brick Wall
Running a dryer vent through a brick or masonry wall is doable, but it calls for the right tools and a few safety rules — get the duct or the slope wrong and you create a lint trap and a fire risk.
What the job involves
- Mark the exit point on the shortest, straightest run from the dryer.
- Drill a pilot hole, then bore through the brick with a hole saw or core bit sized for the duct (typically 4 inches).
- Run rigid or semi-rigid metal duct — never flexible foil or plastic — through the wall.
- Fit an exterior vent hood with a backdraft flap, and seal the masonry gap with appropriate caulk.
- Keep the run as short and straight as possible and slope it slightly downward to the outside.
The safety points that matter
Use only metal duct inside the wall — foil and plastic sag, trap lint, and are a fire hazard. Avoid screws that protrude into the duct, since they snag lint. And don't cap the run with a screen, which clogs fast; a flapped hood is the correct termination.
Cutting cleanly through brick without cracking it, and sealing the penetration against water, are the parts most worth getting right. If you're not set up for masonry work, this is a sensible one to hand to a professional.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Our technicians repair this across Toronto and the GTA — same-day in many cases, with clear pricing and a warranty on the work.