If your dryer isn't doing its job, a clogged dryer vent may be to blame.
If your clothes dryer is taking longer than usual to dry loads of clothing, a clogged dryer vent is likely the culprit. A clogged dryer vent can pose a serious fire hazard. That’s why it’s so important to unclog dryer vents when they become loaded with lint, dust and dirt. Fortunately, unclogging a dryer vent is a straightforward process that doesn't take special skills.
Instructions
1. Assess the severity of the clog by pulling your dryer away from the wall and undoing the clamp connecting the dryer to the vent. Look to see how dense the clog appears to be.
2. Use your vent brush if the clog appears to be not too dense and does not penetrate very deep into your vent. Simply stick the brush into the vent and use a rotating and outward motion to get all the lint and debris out. Dryer vent cleaning brushes can be purchased in appliance parts stores or online.
3. Stick a long, plumbing snake into the vent if the brush isn’t able to get material deeper in the vent. Rotate the snake while inserting it as far in as it will go. Pull it out slowly, all the while continuing the rotating motion.
4. Use a shop vac if the vent brush or plumbing snake don’t get all of the material stuck deep in the vent. First, try using a shop vac to suck as much lint as possible up. A dryer hose extension on the shop vac can help you reach into the vent.
5. Aim a leaf blower into your vent on high speed if there is still material clogging the inner portion of the vent. This will blow out any remaining material to wherever the dryer vent leads, such as the roof of your home.
6. Sweep up any lint and debris that you removed and throw it out before reconnecting the dryer to the vent. If you used a leaf blower to blow the debris out, climb onto your roof or go to the vent’s outlet on your home’s exterior and clean up any debris that ended up in those locations.
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