Dryer Vent Do's & Dont's
Just like every other potential DIY project, you will find entirely way too much information online about it. You could watch hundreds of hours of videos online and read countless of blog posts but you may still end up being confused. Sometimes there are many more ways than 1 to skin a cat. With that being said, there are certain things we should certainly avoid and we should certainly do when it comes to dryer vents and servicing them. Have a read below to see our go-to’s!
Do:
Clean out your dryer vent every year. One of the best ways to reduce the risk of a house fire is cleaning your dryer vent every year. If there are multiple people and several kids in the home, you may be doing more laundry than “normal” and may require cleaning every 6 months. This will maintain a clean dryer vent along with increasing your dryer’s efficiency.
Don't:
Do not put off dryer vent cleaning services. While you may be able to do it yourself with relative ease, some dryer vent runs are quite long and have several elbows, making it somewhat difficult to clean. If you think you may need assistance, just reach out and we’d be happy to help!
Do:
Ensure the lint trap is cleaned in between each use. While it is extremely easy to do and only takes a few seconds, it can be easy to forget doing it. It is important to help your dryer run more efficiently and will help to increase the airflow out the exhaust. One thing to keep in mind is that there is an exhaust area typically underneath the lint trap. It is usually held in by just a few screws and is easy to remove. You will often find excess lint UNDERNEATH the lint trap, so visually inspect this area when cleaning.
Don't:
Do not use duct tape on any part of the dryer vent. The dryer vent is used to exhaust hot air to the outside world and the air can get very warm. The adhesive on duct tape cannot easily withstand these high temperatures which may result in a leak or may even lead to a disconnection. Rather than using duct tape, use a UL listed metal tape that can easily withstand the heat.
Do:
Use proper clamps to secure ducts together and to fittings & collars. Improper clamps and screws may loosen with time and may disconnect over time. If you fail to visually inspect your duct on a routine basis, your dryer vent may be disconnected for quite a while before you see the issue.
Don't:
Do not use screws to connect your dryer vent ducting together. Long screws that stick in towards the center of the duct may be a trap for lint to get stuck on, increasing the risk of a bad clog. Instead of using screws, use the proper collars and clamps.
Final Thoughts
When inspecting your dryer vent, there are many things you should look out for. The above list will be a great place to start to make sure your dryer vent is up to date, up to code, and running properly & efficiently.
If you’d rather get some help from the professionals, we’d be happy to help! Fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you ASAP!