Blogger Pittsburgh, PA on Jan 26, 2013

Dryer Duct Cleaning: Dust Bunnies are Pyromaniacs

We all clean our dryer's lint trap but when is the last time you vacuumed the dryer ducts or around the heating element?

Okay, I'm ashamed to admit that I've never done this (yes I should be punished by the DIY gods).

So this past weekend our electric Maytag dryer got some much needed cleaning attention. Here are some tips you can immediately put into action to prevent a dryer fire in your own home (and believe or not there over 15,000 annually):

+Add an appliance brush to a 1/4 inch drill and thoroughly clean all duct tubing

+Vacuum tubing, the lint reservoir, and inside the dryer around the heating element

+Make sure there isn't a birds nest or other animal debris in your exhaust vent

+Use stiff walled or rigid metal duct tubing instead of the plastic variety

+When you push your dryer back against the wall don't kink or crush the tubing

+Make all kids & husbands do their own laundry on Sunday (haha, this last one is optional although I wash mine all the time) ...»

To see more: http://www.homerepairtutor.com/dryer-duct-cleaning/

13 Comments

Becky J Troy, IL

once a year I take the garage air compressor and blow air through the dryer vent tubing to clean out the lint. Our tubing goes between floors to the outside vent (it's a split level). I have never taken the back off the dryer, however, to clean whatever it is you show you are cleaning.

on Jan 26, 2013 · Like 1
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks Becky for sharing your cleaning method. I took off the front of the dryer to access to vacuum all the lint and dust around the heating element.
It makes sense that fires occur due to clothes dryers once you look at all the wires and location of the heating element.

on Jan 27, 2013 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

I wrote an article on this last year. It was in conjunction with me setting up our new "used" dryer. The pic in the article was one I shot at one of my clients home. It is one of the worst ones I have seen in some years. The best runs are short and built with smooth pipe.
http://www.networx.com/article/diy-tips-vent... ...»

Here is a pic of my run...smooth pipe and gentle crush proof elbows.
on Jan 27, 2013 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

The picture in your article is crazy. The dryer duct looks like a slinky trying to escape from behind the dryer, LOL.
Nice job with the rigid tubing.

on Jan 27, 2013 · Like 0
Val L Henderson, NV

Mine goes through the roof of my house and the cover is welded on. Any suggestions?

on Jan 28, 2013 · Like 0
Judy S Oshkosh, WI

If you don't want to or cannot DIY, hire Dryer Vent Wizards (a national franchise). Our vents in the condo go through the roof, too. He found many problems throughout our HOA. Worth it to get it checked out!

on Jan 28, 2013 · Like 0
Debra D Katy, TX

PLEASE! Make sure you do this. I just moved into a rental that had a washer/gas dryer included that was left behind by the last tenant. (NOT covered by the landlord) They both looked good and ran, so I decided to keep them. The dryer decided to quit heating after about a month, and I am sure glad it did. When the repairman opened it up, it was so full of lint right around the box where the gas igniter is, that it was a MAJOR blessing the dryer stopped working. I almost had a heart attack ...»
when the repairman showed me where the box was inside all that lint. The dryer is in my garage, and the resulting fire would have burned the whole house down! Please! consider checking this before your next load, especially if it is natural gas.

on Jan 28, 2013 · Like 0
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Knowing nothing about dryers I was shocked when I learned mine went through the roof. I had the dryer moved to an outside wall and needed an electrician to install the proper wiring. Now it has a straight short run to the outside & I feel a lot safer.

on Jan 28, 2013 · Like 0
Trent-Tonya Sharp Franklinton, LA

thanks for this post i need to do this i like following your post so helpful

on Jan 28, 2013 · Like 0
LoEtta yaden Longview, WA

Do not forget to clean the lint tray evvery time you use ur dryer.

on Jan 28, 2013 · Like 1
Helene Chamberlin Lubbock, TX

I bought the link lizzard last year and it has worked wonderfully for me in helping to keep the lint down in the hosing area. Will work on pulling the front off the dryer this weekend to clean the dust from inside. We live in West Texas so I am quite sure it is ready for a good internal cleaning.

on Jan 29, 2013 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks Judy for helping out Val. I've never heard of the Dryer Vent Wizards but if you've had a good experience with them that's good enough for me :)

on Jan 29, 2013 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Debra, that's a crazy story.
If that isn't enough to get us off our butts then I don't know what is. Glad to hear you're okay and your dryer is back to normal.

on Jan 29, 2013 · Like 0