Proper Dryer Vent Cleaning

If you don t know how to clean a dryer vent or lint screen and trap here s how in eight quick steps.

Proper dryer vent cleaning.

To make the dyer more efficient you can buy an inexpensive heat diverter and install it in the exhaust duct of electric dryers only not gas dryers you ll save about 50 worth of heat per load in the winter. What causes a clogged dryer vent. Also locate the dryer exhaust vent at your home s exterior. A home owner can take apart and clean the dryer vent s interior himself.

If you have a gas dryer turn the supply valve off while cleaning. All clothes dryers have different types of filters to catch the lint generated as clothing tumbles inside the dryer but the filters cannot catch all the lint. Some amount of lint inevitably passes into the ductwork leading to the outdoor vent and proper maintenance requires that you clean this ductwork regularly. Before dryer vent cleaning locate the vent which should be easily found at the back of the dryer.

In order to properly clean your dryer s ventilation system you have to first know where it is and where it ends. If you have a gas dryer it will also be necessary to turn off the gas before you go any further. The first step on how to clean a dryer vent is to unplug the dryer. To clean the dryer vent first unplug your dryer from the wall socket.

Venting the dryer outside in cold weather wastes a lot of heat. How to clean your dryer. This is made easier with a vacuum cleaner with a long hose attachment. Once the vent is exposed use a vent brush first clean the exterior surfaces.

Turn off and unplug dryer. One is that moisture can t escape and so the dryer takes longer to dry your clothes. The lint is caught in a. If the vents are blocked and the dryer can t expel air there will be consequences.

It blows air 360 degrees backwards blasting the lint loose and blowing it outside. Some hvac professionals and chimney sweeps also offer dryer vent cleaning as a service. Then get on the roof and peel back any shingles that may be covering the vent as well as the guard. Before you clean a dryer vent on the roof vacuum out the vent behind the dryer since it s easier to clean out the length of the vent from the ground floor.

Routine cleaning is done from the outside by sending an air propelled jet snake through the vent. Effects of a blocked vent. During a home inspection the inspector should try to determine the type of clothes dryer vent material s.