When Was the Last Time You Cleaned Your Dryer Vent? Be Honest

Summer’s a good time to knock out the chores you’ve got been pushing aside, and cleansing your dryer vent must be close to the highest of the record. It may not appear as pressing as wiping down cabinets or clearing muddle, however a clogged dryer vent is without doubt one of the greatest fireplace hazards in your house. Even if it does not trigger a fireplace, it could nonetheless waste time, power and cash with out you realizing it.

If your dryer used to deal with hundreds in a single cycle however now struggles to get the job achieved, it is probably not the machine — it is your vent. Lint, mud, and particles buildup contained in the ductwork can severely affect efficiency and effectivity. Giving it an excellent clear this spring will help your dryer run smoother and prevent cash in your power payments, which, in accordance with a current CNET Money survey, are already stressing out practically 80% of US adults. A fast clear now could make laundry quicker, cheaper and safer all 12 months lengthy.

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Step 1: Locate your duct

In order to correctly clear your dryer’s air flow system, it’s important to first know the place it’s and the place it ends. In again of most dryer models is a brief 4-inch diameter exhaust. This exhaust connects to devoted ductwork contained in the wall by means of an aluminum elbow or different pipe. Hot air travels alongside these steel pipes to finally emerge by means of a gap on an out of doors wall of your own home.   

In my explicit setup, the dryer exhaust joined a duct on the foot of a wall inside my laundry room. Located within the basement, from there it runs to an exit vent at floor degree and some ft to the correct of my entrance door. Capping the exist is a louvered plastic cowl. It opens to let heat air escape however stays shut in any other case to maintain animals out.

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Step 2: Safely disconnect the dryer

Now that you realize the beginning and finish factors of your duct, it is time to disconnect the dryer. It’s a easy process in the event you personal an electrical dryer. First unplug the machine’s energy twine from the wall outlet. Next take away any steel tape or clamps protecting the dryer vent pipe fastened to its exhaust. If it is simpler you would possibly solely wish to take away materials attaching the vent to the duct contained in the wall.

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Gently pull the vent pipe away from the wall duct. If your dryer is electrical it is best to have the ability to push the equipment out of the best way with none points. This will open up extra space to work.

Homeowners with dryers that run on pure gasoline must be extra cautious. Make positive to not disturb the dryer’s gasoline line an excessive amount of if it’s good to reposition the unit. Like gasoline ranges, the gas hookup often consists of a versatile metal hose. The hose must be tightly connected nevertheless it’s finest to play it secure. Gas leaks are critical and harmful enterprise. If at any level you are not sure, name in knowledgeable.

Step 3: Clean, clear, clear

At this level it is best to have clear entry to the dryer duct opening on the laundry room wall. You also can simply get on the exit level exterior the home by eradicating its duct flap or duct cowl. Next it’s good to purchase a specialised dryer vent cleansing package. I picked this one up at my native Home Depot for $19. It consists of a lint brush and 6 2-foot-long versatile segments. You be a part of these elements collectively to kind a rod that spans a full 12 ft.

In my case I bought an extra unit which each doubles its attain and supplies a back-up brush head for secure protecting. The finish of the nifty contraption additionally matches inside commonplace energy drill chucks. So armed, you’ll spin the comb with an excellent quantity of velocity and energy.  

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Insert the comb finish of the rod into your duct. I made a decision to enter from the skin of the home since that is its highest level. The concept was to make use of gravity as an assist to clear lodged particles. It’s simpler to gather lint on my laundry room flooring too than it’s from inside my mulch-covered flower backyard.

While spinning the rod (counter clockwise to keep away from unscrewing its segments), push the comb so far as you’ll be able to down the duct. Hopefully you will have sufficient size to succeed in the duct’s different finish. Keep in thoughts the method would possibly take a couple of tries relying what number of twists and turns your ductwork might have.  

Step 4: Tidy up, reconnect every little thing

If your dryer vent is something like mine, anticipate loads of lint to come back flooding out of the wall. The quantity of junk that littered the laundry room flooring introduced my upright vacuum to its knees. In the top I needed to clear out the vacuum twice to return it to working order. In hindsight, I counsel utilizing a easy broom and dustpan.

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After every little thing is tidy, put every little thing again the best way it was — with one exception. If your dryer used a smooth foil-style vent to hyperlink to the wall duct, do away with it. These hoses are a identified fireplace threat. I personally changed the unique semi-rigid venting with a pair of 90-degree aluminum elbows. Adjustable but onerous, they’re sturdy and supply the most effective airflow interval.

Step 5: Do a trial run and smile

No doubt about it. Giving your dryer duct a radical cleansing is sweaty, messy work. Two years of duct neglect was all it took to successfully cripple my previous dryer. A fast trial run post-cleaning, nevertheless, confirmed the equipment had regained all its energy. Not solely would I not have to purchase an costly new unit, I’d put the kibosh on the chance of a scary dryer fireplace. Now that is a worthwhile chore.