Is It Time To Clean My Dryer Vent, I do not know???
At a previous seminar we had a lengthy discussion about dryer vents; the exhaust hose material and the importance of periodic cleaning .
As part of your Home Examination, I have to ask:
- Are your clothes coming out of the dryer damp?
- Are you adding more time to the drying cycle?
- Are you no longer feeling hot air coming out of the exterior vent opening?
In March 2017, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) issued a report on this topic. Below is a summary of the report’s findings:
“Report Highlights
In 2010-2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 15,970 home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines each year. These fires caused annual averages of 13 civilian deaths, 444 civilian injuries, and $238 million in direct property damage. The vast majority of fires (92%) involved clothes dryers. The leading items first ignited in dryer fires were dust, fiber or lint (26% of total) and clothing (26%), while items first ignited in washing machine fires were part of the appliance itself, including wire or cable insulation (26%), appliance housing or casing (24%), and drive belt (11%).” National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA)
So how are we going to remove the lint/dust from this pipe?
Tools for Cleaning the Vent Piping
The basic tools required to clean a 4″ vent pipe: A drill, a brush tip and enough flexible extension attachments to clean the length of your pipe.
- Drill, brush and 5 flexible extensions.
- Brush attached to drill with 1 flex-extension.
- Extending brush’s reach with more flex-extensions
- Additional flex-extensions added as needed.
- Keep on extending depending on your duct length
- Expanded brush reach by approximately 10 feet.
How About the Dryer
Here are the brushes need to clean the lint filter opening:
Many years ago I had trouble with our dryer, it just was not drying the clothes. I cleaned the pipes, the dryer itself, everything I could think of. So I called Sears. Well, after checking everything that I had done, and made sure the flame was coming on, he noticed that the lint screen was clogged with soap. He asked me if we did a lot of our laundry in cold water, yea, we do I replied. He explained to me that the soap, which was not totally dissolved in the cold water clogged the lint screen and that is why our clothes were coming out damp…FYI Guys!!!!!
What does a poorly installed vent pipe look like?
- This vent has been installed bent and with a material that is highly flammable and thus no longer made.
- Vent is hung over wires and should be horizontal. There is no support here and the vent type is no longer made due to its flammable nature.
How about a properly installed venting system???
Vent piping materials:
I hope this Tip of The Month helps.
See you all soon.
Brian
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