A clogged dryer vent may quickly turn into a serious problem, When was the last time you had your dryer vent cleaned? Therefore, it is very important to perform proper maintenance and observe certain events that can predict a blockage. This can save you money… or save lives.
How dryer vents work and why they are necessary
Knowing how they work can help you detect malfunctions and prevent breakdowns or more serious safety problems.
Clothes dryers work by spinning wet clothes through hot air in a rotating drum. This hot air evaporates the moisture, collects it and, with a fan, pushes it out of the dryer.
The vent then carries this moist air from the dryer to the outside of the house. At the back of each dryer is a 4-inch diameter metal vent that exhausts the water-laden air.
With most dryers, this air cannot be blown into the house. The air is moved from the dryer to the outside with a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid tube. One end of this tubing is connected to the dryer and the other to a hole cut in the side of the house.
The vent must be free of obstructions for safety reasons and for proper drying performance. The following signs may indicate that the dryer vent is obstructed.
The Warning Signs and Dangers of Clogged Dryer Vents
Check for increased drying time
The most common sign that the dryer vent is clogged is that the drying time is longer. Check the owner’s manual to see if the run time is longer than indicated. If you have trouble finding the manual, download it here using your product model number. If the dryer vent is blocked or restricted, the appliance will take longer to dry clothes.
Check if the appliance or clothes are warmer than usual
If the dryer or clothes are hotter than usual, it means that the vent is not able to properly exhaust the hot air. In that case, the heat will remain in the dryer and cause the clothes and the appliance to get hotter than usual.
Check for steam inside the dryer.
Hot, moist air inside the dryer produces steam. If the dryer vent is not obstructed, this steam is removed. Check the door, the display and the inside of the appliance for steam or condensation after a cycle. If you observe that there is, check if the dryer vent is clogged or blocked.
Check for water leaks
If moist air is not being drawn out of the appliance, there may be puddles around and behind the dryer or inside the vent. If you find puddles around the appliance or vent, check the vent to see if it is clogged or blocked.
Check for lint or fibers in the lint filter
Lint and fibers released from clothing are collected in the lint filter. If the dryer vent is blocked, little or no air will move and will not reach the clothes. If you see no lint or less than normal lint in the lint filter, the dryer vent may be clogged.
Check for wpliance or vent, check the vent to see if it is clogged or blocked.
