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How to Clean a Dryer Vent

Difficulty
Beginner

Duration
Under 2 hours

Dirty or clogged dryer vents and ductwork don’t just reduce your dryer’s performance. The combination of heat and accumulated dryer lint and dust can lead to a fire hazard. In fact, clogged clothes dryer vents cause thousands of fires per year in the United States. Learn how to clean a dryer vent at least once a year to keep your home safe and ensure that laundry day runs at peak efficiency.

Tip: Check for warning signs of clothes dryer lint buildup such as laundry taking longer to dry, the clothes dryer becoming hotter to the touch or a burning smell becoming noticeable in the laundry room.

1

Disconnect the Dryer

  • Before dryer vent cleaning, locate the vent, which should be easily found at the back of the dryer. Also locate the dryer exhaust vent at your home’s exterior.
  • The first step on how to clean a dryer vent is to unplug the dryer. If you have a gas dryer, turn the supply valve off while cleaning.
  • Pull the dryer away from the wall about a foot to begin cleaning your dryer vent.
  • Disconnect the dryer ductfrom the back of the dryer. You may need to use a screwdriver to disconnect the vent clamp.

Tip: Some types of flexible dryer hose made of plastic, vinyl or foil are more likely to become clogged and cause fires, so replace them with ductwork that meets your local building codes.

2

Vacuum Out the Vent

  • While wearing safety gloves, remove lint from the hole at the back of the dryer.
  • Cleaning lint from a dryer duct requires a vacuum. Use the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner or shop vacto clean in and around the hole at the back of the dryer.
  • If you can detach the length of duct where it meets the wall, do so. It will make cleaning it easier.
  • Cleaning a dryer duct isn’t difficult. Remove lint from the duct by hand and then vacuum the inside of the duct. Use hose extensions, if available, to vacuum out as much of the duct as you can.
  • Go outside the house and remove the exterior vent cover.
  • Clean out the dryer vent from the outside using a vacuum.

Tip: Some homeowners use a leaf blower to expel dust through the vent from inside, but this tends to be a less efficient system for most homes.

3

Brush Out the Vent

  • If your dryer vent is too long to efficiently use a vacuum to remove the lint, buy a dryer vent kitfor an alternate method. These kits contain flexible brushes with extensions that can be used comparably to drain snakes and more thoroughly clean the vent’s interior walls.
  • The first step to cleaning a dryer duct is to feed the brush into the duct and move it back and forth while slightly rotating it.
  • Extend the brush as needed and continue until the vents are free of dust and lint.

Tip: Determine whether the interior or exterior opening of your house is higher and begin brushing on the higher side, so gravity will help loosen the lint.

4

Reconnect the Dryer

  • When finished cleaning, inspect the ducts to make sure that they are undamaged and up to safety codes. Replace ducts if needed.
  • Reattach ductwork and vent cover. If necessary, seal sections of ductwork with UL-listed metal foil duct tape.
  • Push the dryer back into place and plug it in or turn the gas valve back on.
  • To test the dryer, run it for 15 to 20 minutes on the fluff or air dry setting to make sure all the connections are strong and to dislodge any remaining debris.

Tip: If the above vent cleaning steps are insufficient, consider hiring a dryer vent cleaning service.

5

Take Steps to Avoid Lint Buildup

Reducing the amount of dust and lint in and around your dryer may reduce how often you need to clean the dryer vent.

  • Regularly sweep and dust the area around the dryer.
  • Remove the lint trap filter and clean it out before every cycle. It’s quick, easy and makes a big difference in your dryer’s performance.
  • On a regular basis, remove the lint screen and vacuum in and around the lint filter housing with the hose attachment of the vacuum cleaner.
  • Dryer sheets can leave residue on a lint screen that can build up over time. If the lint screen is clogged, use a scrub brushto wash it in warm, soapy water, rinse it with clean water and dry it off with a towel.

It’s important to remove lint regularly to avoid lint buildup. Cleaning lint from a dryer ultimately protects your home from house fires as well. Not only can the lint catch fire due to buildup, but if a fire were to start due to other circumstances, the lint would provide fuel, causing the fire to grow. Cleaning a dryer vent not only keeps your home safe, but keeps your dryer working properly and efficiently.

A clogged clothes dryer may not just be a fire hazard, but can cause your energy bills to increase by requiring longer drying times for your laundry. Knowing how to clean a dryer vent can protect your house, save some money and make your clothes look better.

Get all the things you need to clean your dryer vent today. The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them.

Source: https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-clean-a-dryer-vent/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90104093975

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How To Prepare Your Home For Vacation

Planning a getaway this summer? We don’t blame you — it’s about time! Just don’t forget to make sure your home is prepared for your absence. There are a few things that homeowners often overlook as they get ready for a vacation; which is why we’ve put together the following list of tips and insights to help you enjoy your sunny retreat without hesitation.

1. Alert your alarm company

If you have an alarm system at home, make sure to arm it before you hit the road. Also be sure to let your alarm company know that you’ll be away. By knowing the dates that you will be away, they will know to alert authorities immediately if your alarm is set off.

2. Talk to your neighbors

Consider letting a trusted neighbor know that you’ll be away as well. If your neighbors are aware that you are away, they will know not to expect any cars in your driveway or people about your property. Keeping your neighbors in the loop will help them better recognize any potentially suspicious behavior occurring around your property, allowing them to alert the proper authorities if necessary.

3. Turn off all appliances

Be sure to turn off and unplug appliances! This can help minimize the risk of a fire starting while you’re away, while also saving you money on your electricity bill. Go through your home room by room before leaving and make sure any appliances that don’t need to be on are either off or unplugged. Think about items like televisions, kitchen appliances other than your fridge, window air conditioners, or cell phone or computer chargers.

Adjusting your thermostat/air conditioning depending on the season will also help you save on your energy bill.

4. Don’t forget to lock up!

It may sound obvious, but don’t forget to lock up! The simplest step you can take to safeguard your house before leaving is ensuring everything is locked up. Check all doors and windows to make sure everything is closed and locked — if you have a window air conditioning unit installed, consider taking this out and locking all windows before you leave as well. Avoid leaving a key out on your property. Instead, consider leaving a key with a trusted neighbor or relative, in case something comes up and your home needs to be tended to while you’re away.

5. Avoid Having Your Home Look Vacant

Consider installing timers on a few lights or lamps to make it appear as though someone is home while you are away. This way, you can set the lights to turn on in the evening instead of having your home remain dark for days. Installing motion sensor activated lights in outdoor areas, like outside of your front and back door, is also a great idea.

A full mailbox can also be an indicator that you are away. Be sure to stop or redirect your mail if you’re going to be away for a long time. You can contact your local post office about holding your mail while you’re away or about having it redirected to a relative/friend.

Lastly, you should consider how long you’ll be away. For example, scheduling a lawn service to cut your grass or landscape your property while you’re gone. This will make it look like you’re home and you’ll return to a neatly manicured lawn!

6. Insurance

Consider your insurance needs before you go. Will your auto policy cover you where you’re headed? Do you need additional coverage for a rental vehicle? Is your renters or homeowners insurance enough to cover the contents of your luggage or valuables you are traveling with in the event that they are lost or damaged? Keep all these considerations in mind while you’re away.

We hope these tips help give you peace of mind while you enjoy your trip. To learn more about how you can protect your home and your valuables, visit our website. www.quincymutual.com.