Here’s How To Clean Your Dryer Vent In 5 Easy Steps
Dirty dryer vents are a huge fire hazard. Here’s how to give your vent a deep clean.
One of the biggest home fire hazards is a dirty dryer vent. And even if clogged dyer ducts don’t lead to household damage right away, it’ll waste your time, energy and money.
A dryer connected to vents filled with lint, dust, and dirt won’t work well either. If your dryer once polished off wet loads in one cycle or less but now needs two or even three, check your ductwork. Chances are it’s not your dryer that’s faulty — just grimy venting that’s the issue.
Your dryer vent usually enters the laundry room wall and exits outside through an external wall.
Dryer Vent Cleaning For A Dryer Vent On The Roof
During the recent quarantine, we all spent more time at home and with our families. For most of us, this means we did more laundry each week than ever before. As the dryer in your home worked overtime, your dryer vents collected extra debris. Without dryer vent cleaning, you risk the possibility of multiple big problems. But how do you do this cleaning with a dryer vent on the roof?
Start By Following This Step
Pull back your dryer and remove the flex vent before cleaning your dryer vent.
It consists of a short vent hose that connects the dryers back to the wall.
If your flex vent is dirty, it should also clean. If there is any highly flammable lint, debris, or holes, inspect it.
Additionally, it should check that it wasnt crushed behind the dryer impeding airflow.
The clamps are usually held in place by a metal clamp that must loosen with a screwdriver. It may also be necessary to remove some aluminum foil tape.
The Dryer Vent: How Often Should It Be Cleaned?
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Cleaning Dryer Vents On Your Roof
Home maintenance is crucial for keeping the building and its features from degrading prematurely or becoming hazardous. Unfortunately, homeowners sometimes neglect key maintenance steps like cleaning dryer vents on roofs until problems arise.
If you are unsure how to clean the dryer vent on a roof or why its necessary, Nelson Contracting is here to help. After reading our guide on the topic below, call us at 464-2418 to schedule service today.
Learning How To Clean Dryer Vent From Outside
There you have it: your simple guide to how to clean dryer vent from outside. Its not too hard, and its going to make a big difference in the long run for the safety and efficiency of your dryer. Figuring out how to clean dryer vent from outside is an often-overlooked aspect of household maintenance, but it is crucial to reducing the risk of fires in your home.
If youd like more advice on how to handle this, or if youd prefer to turn this tak over to professionals with the strongest shop vacs out there – get in touch!
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Turn On The Drill And Let The Brush Work Its Magic
Once attached, turn the drill on to spin clockwise on medium power. Push and pull back and forth slowly, eventually pulling the brush all the way out. As you go, debris, lint, and dirt will start spilling out of the dryer duct in front of you, and youll start to notice the lint buildup disappear right before your eyes. Its important to keep the drill running clockwise if you start spinning it counterclockwise, you run the risk of the attachments disassembling and getting stuck inside the dryer duct.
Are You Interested In Learning How To Clean Your Dryer Vent From The Outside
A clogged vent can cause the dryer to slow down and even cause a fire.
All the lint can push outside by cleaning the dryer vent from the exterior vent hood.
vent cleaning make easier, turn on the dryer, airflow is positive
how to clean the dryer vent from outside
This Home Inspector Secrets guide will cover it.
Using a leaf blower or dryer to create positive air pressure
A dryer vent cleaning tool can use to clean the vents
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Whats Included And Whats Not
for symptoms of a dirty dryer vent.
Our STANDARD Dryer Vent Cleaning is focused on the cleaning of the dryer duct work and includes the following:
For Roof Exit Dryer Vents cleans will be performed from inside the home from the dryer to the vent cap. Roof access is NOT included. It is important to have the laundry room as cleared as possible and both the washer and dryer emptied for service. The dryer will be moved during the clean. If you have a particularly delicate floor in the laundry room, please have the dryer moved in advance. Technicians will clean the dryer duct from the wall entrance to the cap utilizing some combination of rotating brushes, vacuums, compressed air and blowers. Additionally, the dryer hose connecting the dryer to the wall will be cleaned and technicians will advise if replacement is recommended. Since we live in an area where hail is common, roof pitches tend to be steep to minimize damage. 95% of Dryer vent cleans can be accomplished without roof access. PLEASE NOTE Damaged, malfunctioning or clogged roof vent caps are not part of our Standard Clean. We can refer you to a roofing contractor or handyman that is more equipped to handle roof access if the vent cap needs attention. This is for the safety or your home and our technicians.
NESTS AND BLOCKAGES MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL WORK AT AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE. WE DONT ALWAYS KNOW IF A BLOCKAGE IS PRESENT UNTIL A CLEAN BEGINS.
Why Is Cleaning Lint Necessary
You may want to take more than just your clothes to hand-wash when dealing with lint. When you clean your clothes dryer vent, you will find other things like paper and others. If this happens and those things get stuck in the lint filter, it could lead to a fire hazard in your home. So make sure you clean the vent and filter out all the debris that may be there before subsequent use!
If you dont clean up your lint filter, it can lead to a fire hazard in your home. This is because the lint that accumulates in the ductwork can easily catch on fire or ignite an area of the house where it shouldnt be. This can set off an explosion and cause extensive damage to your home.
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A Lack Of Routine Maintenance Could Put Your Home At Risk Of Having A Fire If You Don’t Know How To Clean A Dryer Vent
Family Handyman
Do you know how to clean a dryer vent? Whens the last time you checked yours?
A lack of routine maintenance could put your home at risk for a fire if you dont regularly clean your lint filter and dryer vent. In fact, the U.S. Fire Administration reports that every year clothes dryers are the cause of more than 2,900 home fires. And, aside from being a fire hazard, a dirty dryer vent can increase drying time and spike energy costs.
How Do You Clean A Dryer Vent That Goes Out The Roof
Climbing onto your roof is not the only way to clean your dryer vent. You can actually do it from the inside of your home with a shop vac and a few other supplies.
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How Often Do You Need To Clean Your Dryer Vent
While the standard advice is to whip out your vent brush about once every 12 months to make sure your dryer vent duct is in tip-top shape, you may need to put your dryer vent cleaning kit to use more often if youre a certain type of homeowner. If you have pets that shed or a large family that requires your gas or electric dryer to be in constant use, you should count on additional cleanings throughout the year.
Why You Should Clean The Dryer Vent On A Roof
Cleaning a residential clothes dryer takes more than simply clearing out the appliances lint trap. Most people stop there, however, without considering the exhaust vent. Lint and other debris from garments can accumulate in the vent, clogging the duct.
A clog in the dryer vent produces the same problem as a full lint trap a severe fire hazard. Lint is incredibly flammable, so the safety of your house and its residents depends on how often and how well you clean the dryer vent on the roof. Vent obstructions can also cause dangerous carbon monoxide gas to release into your house instead of flowing outdoors through the exhaust vent.
Clogs can also create a home for unwanted critters and pests. When excessive debris accumulates inside the vent, the duct exits hood flap will not close properly. This problem creates an opening for rodents and birds to infiltrate the house and use the lint as nesting material.
These nesting pests can venture further into your house, searching for food, leading to unsanitary conditions and property damage from their excrement and gnawing habits.
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Certified Dryer Exhaust Technicians
In their books, the Certified Dryer Exhaust Technicians union does not recommend a venting location over another. Still, it does stress the need to have shorter runs built from rigid pipes and the importance of minimizing elbows and bends.
They also revised their notes on re-routing the venting system through the roof or the wall.
Why Its Important To Clean Your Dryer Vent
A dryer vent is a very important part of your home. It helps to circulate air and to keep your home dry. If you do not clean your dryer vent, it can become a fire hazard. A dryer vent can also become clogged with lint, which can cause your dryer to overheat and catch fire.
It is important to clean your dryer vent every few months to ensure that it is clear of any lint or debris. You can use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to reach into the vent and remove any lint that has built up. If you notice that your dryer is taking longer to dry clothes, or if it is getting too hot, it is a good idea to clean the vent.
Cleaning your dryer vent is a simple and easy task that can save you from a potentially dangerous situation. Make sure to do it regularly to keep your home safe and dry.
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Cleaning Rooftop Dryer Vents
After removing the cover from the dryer vent on the roof, we clean the vent. Again, this involves using a commercial-grade vacuum. This powerful device suctions out lint and debris that causes fires. After clearing the vent of lint and other matter, we wipe down the inside of the vent to remove any residual dust.
Diy On How To Clean A Dryer Vent That Goes To The Roof
Here is a great video about cleaning the dryer vent with a leaf blower:
Here are the directions to clean the vent using a leaf blower:
- First, pull the dryer away from the wall
- Then, turn off the electricity to that room
- Remove the vent tube from the dryer and the wall
- Vacuum the inside of the dryer and the inside of the tube
- Using a leaf blower, stick it in the hole in the wall
- Wrap a towel around the hole and the leaf blower to keep lint from coming back into the home
- Turn the leaf blower on and run it for about 40 seconds
- Have someone with you that can go outside and make sure the lint is coming out of the vent. If you dont have anyone, turn off the leaf blower and go outside. You should be able to see lint all over the roof and ground.
- When you are done, put the dryer vent hose back together
- Then, turn the electricity back on
- Finally, plug in the dryer and move it back against the wall.
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Always Wanted To Clean Dryer Vent By Yourself Here’s How Can You Do It
DIY Dryer Vent Cleaning On The First Floor:
When Can You Clean Dryer Vents With A Leaf Blower
A leaf blower provides a strong, steady stream of air in a straight line. Once youve disconnected the duct from the wall, you should be able to use your leaf blower to blow all of the clogged materials out the other side dryer vent. However, this only works if your dryer vent system meets all of the following criteria:
- No metal screens on exterior walls. If you do have one and can remove it, thats fine. If you cant remove it, the leaf blower will just compact the lint, threads, and dust onto the other side of the metal screen.
- The vent line must be short. If its more than a couple of feet, the leaf blower wont be able to blow the trappings completely through the vent.
- The vent line doesnt turn or curve. If there are twists and turns, the trappings will get stuck and the leaf blower wont be able to push the clogged lint, threads, and dust all the way through.
- The vent has smooth metal inside. Some ducts use accordion-style duct material. Unfortunately, lint collects in the folds of these and can be impossible to dislodge with a leaf blower.
If your dryer vent system doesnt meet all of the listed requirements, do not use a leaf blower. You could create a worse clog that will require professional dryer vent cleaners to dislodge and remove.
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Install Dryer Vent Bird Guard
If you want to keep birds from nesting in your dryer vent, you can install a bird guard. This is a simple metal screen that covers the opening of the vent. You can find bird guards at most hardware stores.
Bird experts agree that a screen or vent cover is the best way to keep birds from entering a dryer. If a cover isnt possible or expensive, you can use steel wool or silicone caulk to seal any openings that may be too small. If youre having trouble with mice, read our post on how to get rid of them.
Tips To Keep The Outside Vent Air Flowing
In addition to cleaning the outside vent regularly, it is important to maintain an unblocked flow of air into and out of the vent. You should follow these tips:
- Do not plant large, dense shrubs in front of the outside dryer vent.
- Do not allow yard debris to block the vent.
- Do not allow snow to pile up in front of the vent. The hot air exhausted from the vent may temporarily melt the snow but it will refreeze and cause more problems.
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