Installation Instructions
Fire Hazard and Carbon Monoxide Warning!
If not already completed, it is critical that the vent system and attached appliance are clean. According to the National Fire Protection Agency(NFPA), U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 15,970 home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines each year. 27% of which are a result of dust, fiber, or lint. It is for this reason that beyond cleaning the lint trap in your dryer prior to every use, the internals of the dryer, the duct work, and the vent assembly on the exterior of the structure require inspection and cleaning.
Proper installation of dryer vent louvers is essential for ensuring optimal performance and efficiency of your ventilation system. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to installing your replacement vent louvers.
Before beginning the installation process, ensure that you have the correct size of vent louvers for your specific installation needs, as Louver Lovers offers a variety of sizes to accommodate different installations. Compare the width and height of one of your old louvers to the new louver. If they are not a match, stop! Further assistance is available via our contact form: https://louverlovers.com/pages/contact
1. **Preparation**: It is crucial to ensure that the opening is clean and free from debris. If you are replacing existing louvers, remove them carefully to avoid damaging the surrounding structure. Inspect and clear any debris from the vent assembly including inside the holes that the pegs of the replacement louvers will be inserted into.
2. **Positioning**: The replacement louvers when installed should, in most cases have the textured surface facing away from the building. The side of the louver that has the peg bump, should face toward the building. If you find that after the louvers are installed they do not fully close, reverse the installation and check again. If the louvers still do not fully close, stop and contact us for further assistance.
3. **Insertion**: The replacement louvers are flexible and will be bowed in order to fit into your vent. The louvers will naturally return to being straight and flat once inserted. If for any reason they do not, they can be bowed in the opposite direction until once again straight and flat.
4. **Post Installation Checks**: It is critical that the vent be thoroughly inspected prior to operation. Once the new louvers are installed, they should rest fully closed. Each louver should move freely. Ensure that each louver has some amount of overlap to the louver below it. Also ensure that each louver has a small amount of side to side movement to prevent binding in the enclosure.
5. **Minor Adjustments**: While it is unlikely that any adjustments would need to be made, 120 grit or finer sand paper can be utilized to clearance the louver. We recommend prior to doing any such adjustment, contact us as adjustments are uncommon, and it may be possible that the wrong size was ordered.
6. **Final Installation Checks**: Once installed and verified to be free moving per step #4, turn on the appliance being vented. Make sure while in operation the louvers all open and allow airflow outside the structure. Now, turn off the appliance and check to ensure all the louvers close naturally and lay flat.
7. **Color Match To Existing Exterior**: If it is desired to have the replacement louvers match your existing exterior. The louvers can be customized through lightly sanding and painting to match the aesthetic of your home. We recommend using an exterior grade paint to be applied with a foam brush or similar as a very thin coat as to not impede operation of the louver. Once painted, repeat steps 4-6 to ensure proper operation.
8. **Post Installation Maintenance**: It is crucial for the prevention of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning that your vent is kept clean and functional. It is recommended that dryer vents be cleaned at minimum once every year. If the dryer is used frequently, this should be reduced to at least once every 6 months. A basic inspection of the dryer vent louvers should be done monthly. If it is noted that there is any reduction in functionality or buildup of lint, clean immediately to ensure continued trouble-free service.