I just moved into a house where the dryer vent stretches about 20 to 30 feet across to the outside on the back deck. Our dryer isn't drying clothes properly, and since warm air is still blowing out of the outside vent, we're suspecting the long venting might be the issue. We're considering hiring a professional to clean it, but we'd love to know if there are any tips or tricks to do it ourselves since we're unsure about the bends in the vent. Any advice?
3 Answers
I've had a similar situation with a 25-foot run to my outside vent. It can definitely get clogged up! If possible, try to inspect the vent to see how many turns there are. I ended up replacing mine with a round metal duct pipe after realizing the old flexible one was a lint trap. I also use a wireless vacuum or a leaf blower for a thorough clean, and it feels great to get all that dust out! Just remember to clean it at least once a year or more often if it's long like yours.
One great option is to use a leaf blower! I saw this awesome tip on a video where they attached a leaf blower to the vent from the inside after removing the vent hood. My wife described it as a giant lint monster shooting out at high speed, and it worked wonders for us! Definitely worth a try if you're comfortable doing it yourself.
Oh, it was a mess for sure! A dust cloud everywhere. Just be ready with a vacuum to catch the aftermath!
I recommend renting or buying a dryer vent cleaning kit. They come with long flexible rods that connect to a drill, and you start from inside, working your way to the outside. If you're dealing with a lot of twists, just take it slow to avoid snapping the rod. It's super effective!
Haha, that sounds wild! I can only imagine the amount of lint that came out! Was it messy?