The Department of Energy reports over 17,000 fires per year caused by dryers and washing machines. Clothes dryers account for 92%. Almost one-third are attributed to “failure to clean” and dust, fiber, and lint accumulation. Plugged dryer vents cause hot dangerous fires.
How To Spot a Clogged Dryer Vent
Dryer lint filters catch and hold most of the lint produced by the drying cycle–but not all of it. Some is blown into the pipe out of the vent. Lint builds up in the vent pipe–especially if it is kinked, ridged, or too long. It builds up if the vent hood doesn’t open. Or it is stuck on the rodent screen of the hood. Lint also builds up if rodents or insects nest in the pipe. Signs of a plugged dryer vent include:
- The dryer vent cap doesn’t blow open when the dryer is operating. Not enough air pressure or it is jammed closed preventing air and lint from escaping.
- Lint build-up in the vent hood pipe.
- Clothes are not completely dry at the end of a cycle or feel very hot.
- Clothes smell musty.
- The lint screen collects an abnormal amount of material every cycle.
Causes Of Dryer Vent Clogging
Plugged dryer vents are caused by one or more of the following.
Vent Cover Stuck Closed
Most vent clogs start at the outlet. Vent covers that are stuck closed are a contributing factor. Some vent cover problems include:
- Built-up lint above the hinge.
- Crushed or damaged hood.
- Broken hinges–especially on plastic covers.
- Dirt build-up.
- Insect nests.
Constricted Vent Pipe
Clogs inside the pipe occur if the pipe is kinked or crushed. This usually happens when the dryer is pushed too tightly against the wall or there are too many bends and direction changes in the pipe. Try to avoid flexible pipes. They are very useful in some situations but the corrugated interior can trap lint that builds up over time.
External Dirt and Pests
Some types of vent covers become stuck open easily–by damp lint, damaged flapper, or poor installation. Dirt, dust, leaves, and rain will blow into the pipe and stick to the pipe walls. If the screen is missing, rodents like mice, rats, and squirrels may build nests. If the cover is stuck open, wasps and bees may move in. All of these can clog a vent pipe.
Lint Build-up
Lint is almost always the cause of plugged dryer vents. It builds up on the vent cover, vent cover screen, and in the pipe–especially in flexible vent pipes. If the machine lint screen is broken or missing, all of the lint created during the drying process blows into the vent pipe.
How To Reduce Vent Clogging
Plugged vents can be eliminated by performing yearly maintenance. Remove the pipe from the dryer and the vent hood. Vacuum or brush out the pipe, dryer outlet, and vent cover extension. (For long pipes, dryer vent cleaner kits that reach up to 30 feet are available online or from home improvement outlets for less than $50.00.)
Make sure the vent cover is clean and working properly. Replace it if necessary. Clean the machine lint filter regularly.
The average cost to hire a contractor to clean your dryer vent is $143.00. More for second-floor or roof vents. You may get a better price if you are having your furnace vents cleaned at the same time.
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