Eliminating the hidden dangers of a dirty dryer vent

Although you probably clean your dryer’s lint trap after each load, lint still builds up inside the machine, in the duct and behind the dryer.  If your dryer is taking more and more time to dry the clothes, chances are it's not your dryer that's faulty – it’s just clogged ductwork that's to blame. Dirty ducting isn’t just inconvenient, according to FEMA there are an average of 2,900 dryer fires each year in the US.  A little maintenance can go a long way.  

If you have flexible metal or plastic tubing this not ideal and is a greater fire risk.  The better option is a solid metal pipe.  Though the solid pipe is hard, they're durable and provide the best airflow.

 The duct coming from the back of your dryer leads to a vent outside the house.  Depending on the location of your dryer it can be out through the wall, a window or through the roof.  There should be a cover at the exit point that opens to let warm air escape but stays shut otherwise to keep animals out.

Safely disconnect the dryer

Now that you know the start and end points of your duct, it's time to disconnect the dryer. It's a simple task if you own an electric dryer. First unplug the machine's power cord from the wall outlet. Next remove any metal tape or clamps keeping the dryer vent pipe fixed to its exhaust. If it's easier you might only want to remove material attaching the vent to the duct inside the wall.

Gently pull the vent pipe away from the wall duct. If your dryer is electric you should be able to push the appliance out of the way without any issues. This will open up more space to work.

Homeowners with dryers that run on natural gas need to be more careful. Make sure not to disturb the dryer's gas line too much if you need to reposition the unit. Like gas ranges, the fuel hookup usually consists of a flexible steel hose. The hose should be tightly attached but it's best to play it safe. Gas leaks are serious and dangerous business. If at any point you're unsure, call in a professional.

Clean, clean, clean

At this point you should have clear access to the dryer duct opening at the laundry room wall. You can also easily get at the exit point outside the house by removing its duct flap or duct cover. Next you need to buy a specialized dryer vent cleaning kit. It consists of a lint brush and six 2-foot-long flexible segments. You join these parts together to form a rod that spans a full 12 feet. You can usually find these at a local hardware store or Home Depot for under $25.00 

If your duct is longer than 12 feet you can buy an extension or even additional unit which both doubles its reach and provides a back-up brush head for safe keeping. The end of the nifty contraption also fits inside standard power drill chucks. So armed, you'll be able to spin the brush with a good amount of speed and power.  

First you will want to remove the lint filter, and using the long-handled vent brush clean as much of the cavity as you can.  Then you will insert the brush end of the rod into your duct. It’s easiest if you enter from the outside of the house since that's its highest point. The idea is to use gravity as an aid to clear lodged debris. It's also easier to collect lint off the laundry room floor.

While spinning the rod (counter clockwise to avoid unscrewing its segments), push the brush as far as you can down the duct. Hopefully you'll have enough length to reach the duct's other end. Keep in mind the process might take a few tries, depending how many twists and turns your ductwork may have.  

Another trick is to use a leaf blower.  In this case you would use it from inside the house and use the strength of the blower to blow any debris outside.

Tidy up, reconnect everything

If you clean the duct from the outside you can expect quite a bit of lint to come flooding out of the wall.  Be sure to clean all that lint before putting the dryer back into place.

Carefully move your dryer back into position and reconnect it.

After everything is tidy, put everything back the way it was -- with one exception. If your dryer used a soft foil-style vent to link to the wall duct, get rid of it. These hoses are a known fire risk. I personally replaced the original semi-rigid venting with a pair of 90-degree aluminum elbows.

Do a trial run and smile

No doubt about it. Giving your dryer duct a thorough cleaning is sweaty, messy work. Neglecting this task can effectively cripple your dryer but doing this regularly can save you money in the long run since your dryer will work more efficiently and won’t wear out as quickly. You will also reduce the risk of a scary dryer fire. All and all I’d say it’s worth the effort. 

When it's all said and done, your vents should demonstrate greatly increased air flow.