How to Clean Your Dryer Vents
When was the last time you cleaned your dryer
vent? Maybe it was a year ago, or perhaps it never occurred to you that it
needed cleaning.
We aren't referring to the lint screen in the dryer; but rather to the silver tube in the exhaust system that carries the hot, humid air outside. Lint can build up in your dryer's exhaust, causing it to stop working correctly. As a result, the dryer will take longer to dry clothes and cause a fire hazard., resulting in a lose-lose situation.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, about 2,900 dryer fires are reported yearly, resulting in five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property damage. What is the leading cause of these fires? Failure to clean dryer vents.
Clean Your Dryer Vent:
Four Easy Steps
Step 1: Unplug your
dryer
Move your dryer a few feet away from the wall for
easier access. Turn off the gas if your dryer runs on gas and disconnect it.
This is crucial for your safety.
Step 2: Disconnect
your vent and clean the surrounding area
· A clamp is attached to
the vent on the back of your dryer. Undo the clamp with a screwdriver or nut
driver and slide the vent off. Remove the vent from the back of the dryer.
· Carefully reach into
the opening in the back of the dryer and clear out the lint. Consider using a
vacuum hose to extract the debris.
Step 3: Clean the vents from the inside of your home
· The dirtiest parts of
the dryer vent are the foot or two on each end. We recommend using a dryer vent
brush to clean inside the vent and remove built-up lint.
· Clean as far down as
possible. For a deeper clean, use a brush with a long, flexible handle (up to
10 feet long). Work the brush up inside as far as you can go. The brush will
latch onto the lint and drag it out of the vent pipes.
· After that, you can
insert the attachment hose of a vacuum to pull out any remaining dust and lint.
Vacuum up the lint from the dryer vent.
· Reattach the vent to
the dryer and tighten the clamp back on. Plug your dryer back in, reattach your
gas line, and turn on your dryer. Be careful to push the dryer back only a
short distance from the wall. If the dryer is too close to the wall, it can
collapse the vent, cut off the exhaust, or break the gas line.
Step 4: Clean the
vents from the outside
· In your home, you
probably have access to the dryer vent from the outside. Start by removing the
vent cover, unscrewing it, and, if needed, removing any caulk with a utility
knife.
· Reach into the vent
with a brush and remove built-up lint. If you have an outdoor vacuum, insert
the hose to vacuum out the lint.
· Before replacing the
cover, return to the dryer, plug it back in, and run it on fluff to help blow
out any loosened lint. After about 10 minutes, turn the dryer off, place the
cover back on the outside vent, and re-caulk the edges to keep out drafts.
If everything goes smoothly and you have done your job correctly, the dryer should be in great shape. We recommend cleaning your dryer vents at least once a season or four times yearly, even if you see exhaust coming from the outside vent. It's better to be safe than sorry!
Trust Total Comfort
Total Comfort has been Madison County's best and largest HVAC company since 1987. From residential work to
emergency ventilation for healthcare facilities, we pride ourselves on quality
service at reasonable prices. We have grown into Madison County's best and
largest heating and air conditioning company. We make sure you stay
comfortable, no matter what the weather. Call us at 859-624-0903 or visit our website to learn more.
Sources:
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-clean-a-dryer-vent
https://www.thespruce.com/clean-your-dryer-vent-1824761
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