How To Properly Clean Your Dryer Vent
Many assume that clothes dryers simply expel all lint through their filters and out into the open air. However, this is not entirely accurate.
Facts: Lint is highly flammable, and dryer vents are a major cause of building fires. Surprisingly, a significant portion of Air Vent Medics’ clients discovered that the issue causing their dryer problems lay within the vent system, not the appliance itself.
Merely cleaning your dryer’s lint filter is not sufficient to clear the entire vent system. Often, lint and debris escape through smaller exhaust port holes in the back wall of the dryer drum, can be seen when the door is open. These facts are commonly overlooked, and burn marks inside the dryer can indicate this issue.
Both the lint filter passage and the exhaust hose blow hot air into the dryer’s exhaust duct, which eventually terminates outside the building. While there are retail tools available to clear exhaust lint, they may not match the quality and effectiveness of professional equipment.
Identifying and clearing blockages is a straightforward process in theory. Lint can adhere to the inner circumference of the exhaust hose, piping, and elbows, requiring agitation with specialized brushes. These brushes, attached to long, flexible rods, are used to break up and dislodge the accumulated debris, which is then blown out of the system.
Longer distances that Exhaust must travel, more elbows in its path, usually 90°, excessive flexible hose i.e. accordion-shaped vs smooth, hard flue pipe (required by building code) and especially traveling in vertical directions add to probability of blockages in the flow path for this exhaust. Why?
A Dryer’s exhaust power, usually 80 to 130 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute), is given, permanent, limiting its ability to exhaust all lint. Exhaust booster fans can only help resolve this ONLY when that CFM is significantly higher (over 300) than the dryer’s flow. Aside from agitation/brushing/drilling AirVentMedics uses equipment with 500 CFM minimum.
Here are some important DO’s and DON’Ts:
Things To do:
1) Check for burn marks inside the dryer drum, indicating excessive heat caused by lint buildup.
2) Ensure the dryer hose is not kinked or bent when reconnecting it.
3) Tighten hose clamps securely to prevent leaks.
4) Use high-quality aluminum duct tape and hoses.
5) Test the airflow after cleaning to confirm proper ventilation.
Things Not To Do:
1) Avoid forcing brushes or tools into ducts with too much pressure, particularly inside walls, as this can cause them to become stuck.
2) Flexible hoses should not be run inside walls, as they tend to trap lint and create a fire hazard. By code, dryer vents installed inside walls must be exhausted through rigid metal flue piping.
3) Don’t use plastic hoses, as they are flammable.
Cleaning your clothes dryer vent is a relatively simple task, but it requires attention to detail and proper technique. This guide, provided by Air Vent Medics, aims to educate and emphasize the importance of maintaining a clear dryer vent system. While some jobs may require professional expertise, most household dryer vent cleaning can be done with care and attention to detail. Remember, ensuring proper dryer operation is crucial for safety and fire prevention.