Dryer Duct Preventive Maintenance

8/31/2017 (Permalink)

Above is a picture of the amount of lint we pulled from a recent dryer duct cleaning at a hotel in Scranton. Fire hazard!

Dryer vent cleaning is something that is becoming more common as more people become aware of the fire hazards that go along with lint buildup. If you begin to notice that the drying times are increasing you may want to inspect your dryer ducting. Dryer vent cleaning can not only help prevent a fire it can also save you some money and reduce the wear and tear on your dryer. Here is a few simple things that you can check for it you suspect that your dryer vent has lint buildup.

1. Check the dryer vent

Take a look at the dryer vent cap or hood. Make sure there are no visible obstruction and remove anything that may be in the way. The flap open easily when the dryer is on. If it is not it may have to be taken off and cleaned or if the flap is not working properly it may need to be replaced.

2. Check the condition of the ducting

If there are any big dips in the dryer ducting disconnect the duct and clean out any lint build up. Make sure that none of the ducting is crushed or damaged. If there are any areas that are bent or badly crushed they should be replaced because lint will collect there more quickly. The more restrictions there are the harder your dryer will work to dry clothes.

3. Check the back of the dryer

Pull the dryer out and disconnect the duct. Look into the dryer and into the pipe. Vacuum out any lint build up in the back of the dryer. If the buildup in the ducting is minimal you can vacuum that out as well. If there is quite a bit of lint built up the entire ducting should be cleaned either with a DIY vent cleaning tool or by a professional.

4. Clean the lint trap

Keep the dryer’s built in lint trap clear. Cleaning the lint trap after every load will minimize the amount of lint that gets into the ducting.

5. Look for installation problems

Make sure that the dryer ducting is not held together by screws. Using screws when installing a dryer vent is not recommended because screws will catch a lot of lint. If something is needed to hold the ducting together use foil tape.

Dryer vent cleaning tools

There are kits available at your local home improvement store or hardware store that can make vent cleaning easier for the do it yourselfer. Lint cleaning kits can come in many lengths and can help you clean out the ducting so you may not have to call a professional. The shop vac attachment is nice in these kits because you can have it sucking on one end of the duct while you use the brush to knock lint from the sides of the pipe and into the shop vac.

Professionals vent cleaning

Pulling your dryer ducting apart every 6 months to 1 years can be a bit of a chore but it is recommended. There are professionals that will come in a clean out your dryer vent. It might be a good idea to call around and get some prices to save yourself a lot of work especially if you have a long dryer duct. Having the piece of mind of having a professional do the job can be worth the money as well. Routine cleaning by professionals is often done from the outside with an air propelled snake through the vent. All the lint is caught in a special bag. Cleaning can also be done from the dryer side if needed or if any problem areas are detected.

SERVPRO of Carbondale/Clarks Summit/Old Forge offers preventive maintenance programs on both HVAC and dryer ducts. Call us today for a free estimate. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (570) 235-1646