I purchased an older home and the dryer vent connection is just a hole in the floor with a torn flexible hose. I would like to repair this, to code, as cheaply as I can. The hole in the ceramic tile floor is 4".
Will I have to go into the crawl space under the home to install a new hose? Or should I use a rigid aluminum pipe? I am guessing I could stick a metal collar like thing into the floor and seal any gaps with silicone caulking. Attach the dryer to the collar then crawl beneath the house and use metal straps to hang the pipe?
Please keep in mind I am an old woman and am a chicken lol. What type of person usually handles this i.e. handyman, plumber? Advice would be appreciated. I am thinking of contacting my local Lowe's home improvement to see if they do this but I really don't want to pay $200.00 or above when I can supply the necessary parts. Thanks for your time and I wish you the best!
Update: The dryer is electric. The existing damaged flex hose extends approximately 17' to the nearest exterior wall, where an exit vent used to be located, now it's just an open hole without a cover. I believe I need a roll of foil tape as I'm going to be using rigid metal pipe instead of full flex hose, so I don't have to worry about the possibility of fire. Thank goodness the crawl space is lighted as I recently had it sealed to code. Thank you all again I truly appreciate your help. :)