Clogged Dryer Vents: Signs, Safety, And How To Clean?

You might not be worried about clogged dryer vents as a household problem, then, you should worry about it. When your dryer vent becomes clogged, it might become a serious safety hazard for your home and family because if it happens there is a chance of fire risk in your house. Dryers are capable of working more efficiently and safely. 

However, this depends on the ability of this vent to expel hot, humid air from it which plays a crucial role. Moreover, don’t neglect the essential component of dryer vents, when it is clogged. In this article, we’ll look at the causes, and symptoms of clogging, safety concerns, how to deal with and clean it, and also learn much more. 

What are Clogged Dryer Vents?

First of all, understand what Clogged Dryer Vents are and why they matter before delving into the problems that surround them. The dryer vent is a conduit that is responsible for expelling the hot, moist air or lint that is produced while drying the cloth to the outside. These are available in the market in different types of rigid metal vents or flexible ducts. Therefore, the primary function of a dryer vent is always to maintain adequate airflow.

Why are Dryer Vents Clogged?

Over time, the dryer vent that exits the appliance and leads to the outside becomes clogged. So the chances of fire increase. A few reasons for the closure have been cited.

• The lint collects frequently in the dryer as a result the clogged dryer vents fill with lint. However, the lint traps mostly capture minor lint not at all. With the passage of time, this lint increases inside the vent.
• Coins or gum wrappers, wrappers that you take in your pockets are also the cause of clogged dryer vents.
• The course of the vent can be clogged by rubbish and even animal nests.

What are the signs of Clogged Dryer Vents?

In order to solve the problem quickly, it is important to first understand the problem and the warnings that indicate a clogged dryer. Pay close attention after spotting the following warning signs.

• Drying Time: Pay attention to the drying time if your wet clothing takes more time to dry. So, the dryer takes more time to dry the clothes than their regular routine, which is a noticeable sign.
• Produce Heat: When the dryer runs, the inside of the dryer gets extremely hot. By the hand touch, you feel the hotness. Therefore, that indicates a sign of poor ventilation.
• Burning smell: When the lint is overheating the burning smell comes from the dryer. Therefore, this sign indicates that it can cause a fire.
• Notice Moisture: In your laundry room, a blocked vent that is caused to stop the wet air from exiting could cause noticeable or consideration. Moreover, condensation or noticeable moisture can result in your laundry room from a clogged vent from escaping and also stop the moist air.
• Lint Appearance: You can easily see the lint accumulation outside the trap and vent because the dryer vent is blocked and full of lint. So, before drying the clothes in the next cycle, first clean the lint from inside the dryer.
• Dryer Damp: The clothes come back from the dryer damp when you try to dry the clothes.

Safety Concerns

If your dryer vent is clogged that can create high safety risks for your home. So, if the issue of clogging occurs quickly try to resolve it before any high damage.

• Risk of Fire: Lint has the capacity to be highly flammable. So, when it collects in the vent the chances of fire risk increase. 
• Risk of Carbon Monoxide: If your dryer is gas-fired and the vent is connected to other appliances. Then a clogged dryer vent can cause a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide from a furnace or water heater and other types of equipment connected.

How to avoid clogging in Dryer Vents?

To avoid the dryer vents being clogged make sure the vent is clean and there is no debris, wrapper, coins, and lint stay inside. This is the easiest way to avoid the clogged vent. 

Cleaning the Lint Trap regularly: 

The vent should be cleaned regularly to prevent clogging. Before starting the next cycle, must make sure the inside trap is clean from the tint. As a result, the aggregate tint will not collect in the dryer vent. Hence, it will help to clean the vent and also ensure safety.

Annual Cleaning: 

Once a year take an analysis of the dryer vent system. Hence, this cleaning helps in identifying any issues in the system. As a result, if symptoms appear then remedy them right away and make sure there are no issues occurring in the future to protect yourself and your home.

How to Deal with When Dryer Vents Clogged?

If you notice the signs of clogging that appear in the dryer vent and think that it is clogged, then you must clean it quickly without wasting any time. There are two ways to clean it.

• Do-it-yourself Maintenance: Clean your dryer vent by yourself on a regular basis. You can clean the dryer vent with the help of tools like a vent brush and a vacuum with a long hose adapter. Hence, as a result, the chance of any risk is reduced. 
• Expert Cleaning Services: Hire a professional for a complete and efficient solution as they are trained and expert.

How to clean the Clogged Dryer Vents at home?

Cleaning the dryer vent when it is clogged is necessary for the effectiveness of your dryer. Also, it’s important for the security of your house. Here are all the steps discussed step by step for properly clearing clogged. 

Collect the Safety Precautions and Materials:

• Safety Gloves
• Safety Goggles
• Vent Brush
• A vacuum that has a long hose adaptor
• Dryer vent cleaning Kit

Priority First:

• Your dryer should be turned off.
• Unplugged the dryer from the electrical outlet.
• Also, turn off the gas supply if your dryer is fueled by gas.

Disconnect the Dryer from the Wall:

• Pull the dryer gently away from the wall so you see the back vent. On the back, you see the flexible or rigid duct.

Severing the dryer vent:

• According to your dryer how it is configured. So, you can use the screwdriver to open the clamp holding. 
• Disconnect the dryer’s vent with great attention.

Examine the vent:

• Carefully check the vent for any obvious clogging indicators such as lint or debris, wrappers, and coins.
• Just shake it so you get rid of any loose material.

Use a Vent Brush:

• Insert the brush in the vent opening. Now, push the brush gently through the duct so any tint or anything that comes back from the vent.
• Rotate the brush and push it gently again and again into the vent. So, do it to dislodge and release clogs.
• Continuously keep pushing the brush through the whole length of the duct.

Clean the Duct:

• Attach the vacuum with a long hose or nozzle to the duct entrance. To collect all loose lint and any material. 
• To remove the loose material inside the vent, vacuum the duct thoroughly.

Clean the vent cap:

• Go outside your home and locate the vent cap, which is usually located on the outside of the home and is usually mounted on an exterior wall.
• Open the vent cap and use your hands or a brush to clean any dirt or lint from the vent cap.

Connect again and close the vent:

• Again reattach the duct to the dryer’s back.
• After tightening the clamp make sure that the airtight connection firmly tightens.  

Reposition the dryer:

• Reposition the dryer carefully.
• So, that it is once again against the wall at their own place.

Connect and Test:

• Again reconnect and plug it.
• If it’s a gas dryer, turn the gas supply valve back on.
• To make sure that it is clean and set correctly take a test. Start the dryer and dry the clothes to check that all operations are satisfactory.

Standard Maintenance:

• Clean the lint trap after each drying cycle before starting the next cycle to avoid future obstructions.
• Make a plan for yearly inspections and cleanings.

Contact a Professional:

If your dryer vent has any issues and you feel uncomfortable with the process of cleaning yourself contact the professional.  Hence, it’s advisable to hire a professional dryer vent cleaning service because they are experts. They also give you more suggestions for future problems after analyzing your dryer.

Our point of View:

When a dryer vent is clogged it poses a serious safety hazard to your home. As a result, there are two main reasons: clogging on the dryer can lead to reduced equipment performance or safety issues. Keep your dryer running well with routine maintenance and pay close attention to warning signs to protect your home.

Try to remove all hazards from the clogged dryer and clean it as soon as possible. If you find it difficult to clean it yourself, take the help of professionals. Don’t ignore danger signs to ensure the efficient operation of your dryer.

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