Get the Lint Out
Does your clothes dryer seem to run longer than usual? If so, it is likely that the vent system is clogged up with lint. No matter how careful you are about keeping your dryer’s lint filter clean, lint will build up in the vent system. Eventually it will block the air flow completely. Without proper air flow, the heat and humidity cannot be exhausted as it should. Here are the basic steps to clean out your dryer vent system:
First, unplug your dryer’s electrical connection, or turn it off at the breaker panel. Then pull the dryer forward from the wall, giving yourself enough room to reach down near the floor. Disconnect the flexible vent tube from the wall.
Next, get your vacuum cleaner and vacuum out the flexible vent tube, the inside of the dryer (through the exhaust vent), and the inside of the wall vent. A “shop-vac” is ideal for this purpose, if you have one. Here’s a trick: Take an old towel and wrap it around the vacuum hose in such a way that no air will leak when you vacuum the wall vent. Don’t be surprised at the amount of lint getting pulled into your vacuum cleaner!
Reconnect the flexible vent tube between the dryer exhaust and the wall vent. Push the dryer back toward the wall, being extremely careful not to kink the flexible vent tube! Reconnect the electricity, and turn the dryer on.
Finally, take your ladder and climb onto the roof. Inspect the roof exhaust for your dryer. It usually has a flap that closes when not in use. This can trap lint and get clogged. Using your fingers, reach into the roof vent and pull out as much lint as possible. Since the dryer is on, you should feel air blowing out of the roof vent. If you have good air flow, you have verified that your problem is resolved. Congratulations!
Safety tip: Because a clogged or faulty dryer can cause a fire, never run your dryer when you are away from home or when you are sleeping in the home.