Hey everyone! My boyfriend and I own a townhome, and we're considering moving our washer and dryer from our dark, dingy basement to a hall closet right outside our bedroom. We're a bit concerned about the dryer vent since it will be in a more central location. I'm wondering if there's a way to check the vent ourselves and if we need any special tools. Would it be cost-effective to hire a plumber just for this job, or am I overthinking things? Any advice or thoughts would be super helpful!
4 Answers
If you have a wet/dry vac, you could try sucking debris out from outside the vent. Alternatively, using a leaf blower from inside might blow out any clogs! I haven't tried it personally, but I've heard it could work.
Yeah, a snake cam is a great option if you want to inspect the vent's inside! Just make sure to also clean it with a dryer vent cleaning brush using a cordless drill—as it’s a solid method to keep everything clear and safe.
I suggest connecting a shop vac to the vent and making sure someone outside can feel the airflow. Also, don't forget to check the drain for the washer! If it hasn’t been used for a while, it could be dried out, and that might lead to some unpleasant smells. Investigating that is pretty important!
You can definitely check the dryer vent yourself! There are dryer vent duct cleaning kits that cost around $20 to $30, which come with rods that connect to a cordless drill and have a brush on the end. This is great for cleaning out lint buildup. Also, using a borescope can help you see where the vent leads; you can find affordable options on Amazon for around $30 or $40!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely look for those cleaning brushes!