According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, each year clothes dryers are associated with more than 2,900 fires in the United States. The leading cause of these incidents is the failure to clean the machines.

A clogged dryer vent prevents your appliance from operating at optimal performance, which can result in higher electric bills and strain on your machine. It is also a threat to your home and safety.

Even if you have been running your machine for years without an incident, there are good reasons to pay attention to your dryer exhaust ductwork. But you may have no idea of what that entails.

The information below will walk you through some of the issues associated with clogged dryer vents. It will present you with steps on what to do should you find an issue and make suggestions on regular maintenance.

Keeping your dryer vents clear will help your appliance run efficiently. It also will eliminate the risk of damage to your machine and the threat of fire hazards.

Clogged Dryer Vent Indicators

There are a few signs of a clogged dryer vent that you can look for. These will alert you to obstructed ductwork that needs attention.

If you notice clothes taking longer to dry, this could be a result of a stopped-up vent. That is because the dryer exhaust expels hot vapors as it removes moisture from your clothes. When it is clogged, the moist air has nowhere to go.

If your dryer is hot to the touch, this can be a sign that it is not expelling hot air. Besides the risk of fire, this can lead to more serious problems, like damage to other dryer components.

A burning smell is another sign of a clogged dryer vent. Lint can accumulate in the ductwork or lint trap and heat up.

Most dryers operate at between 125 and 135 degrees Fahrenheit. But some can reach temperatures of 175 F. A burning smell is an urgent alert to remove lint before it catches fire and causes serious damage.

A good way to know if your dryer vent needs cleaning (without any warning signs) is if it has been more than a year since you have done so. Dislodging lint, dirt, and debris that has accumulated in the ductwork is a great way to avoid the potential problems described above.

DIY Dryer Vent Cleaning

Checking and cleaning your vents is a straightforward task for most dryers. Before doing anything, unplug your appliance from the electrical outlet. If you have a gas-powered unit, turn off the fuel valve before proceeding.

Pull the unit away from the wall so that you can access the back of the appliance. Disconnect the vent clamps on each end of the ductwork that attaches to the machine and the wall.

This is a good time to inspect the integrity of your ductwork. If it is old and has cracks or other signs of corrosion, it may be time to replace it.

Some aluminum, plastic, or vinyl accordion-type vents are more likely to accumulate lint and dirt. If your dryer space can accommodate it, consider replacing them with rigid metal ones that have fewer ridges to catch debris. These are also much more durable. 

Look for any visible clumps of link or debris that you can remove by hand. Then vacuum out the insides of all duct attachments. Also, go outside and clean out any lint from the vent screen.

You can purchase dryer vent kits at your local hardware stores. These include brushes that will allow you to clean the inside of the vents. Move the brush back and forth, and rotate it, inside the ductwork.

Finally, reconnect the ductwork to the wall and the dryer, and plug the appliance back in. You may want to run a test cycle to ensure you properly connected everything and the machine is venting as it should.

Hire a Professional

If you have a dryer vent that exits through your roof, you definitely need a professional to clean it on an annual basis. Beyond the hassle of cleaning any dryer vent, there are several advantages to hiring a technician to do so.

One big benefit of hiring someone for dryer vent cleaning is knowing that they will be thorough. You can have the peace-of-mind that nothing was missed and they reassembled the ductwork in a proper manner. Not only will a professional have the right tools for dirt and debris removal but instruments like cameras to inspect every inch of the ductwork.

Another advantage is efficiency. Depending on the complexity of your ductwork and the positioning of your dryer, it can be a hassle to clean. A trained technician will be able to tackle any obstacles so that you’re not spending all day trying to overcome them.

Another reason to hire a professional is that they will be able to do general dryer maintenance. They can diagnose associated problems and suggest solutions.

Even if you are vigilant in examining your dryer vent and removing minor clogs, regular professional maintenance will make these tasks easier. An annual “deep clean” can go a long way to staving off build-up and the potential for clogged vents.

Eliminate Dry Vent Clogs

Now that you have an idea of how to identify and address a clogged dryer vent, you can have your machine back up and running in no time. It will give you the peace-of-mind that your appliance is operating efficiently and that you have eliminated a potential fire hazard.

We hope you found this information helpful. Be sure to check out our other blog posts on home maintenance tips and a myriad of real-estate topics.