How to Clean Out a Dryer Duct

American Air Duct ‌Service offers ‌the best service to clean out a dryer vent cleaning in Houston . For more information, call 866-373-3828.

Despite the name’s promise, a dryer does not always dry your garments perfectly. That said, if your clothing remains excessively damp even after a complete drying cycle, or if the outside of the dryer grows extremely hot while performing its function, it may be time to clear up your dryer vent ducts.

Dryer ducts should be cleaned twice a year, according to experts. While doing it on your own may seem daunting, there are ways to do so effortlessly, affordably, and very fast.

What should be done first

Before beginning cleaning, it’s critical to determine whether your clothes dryer runs on gas or electricity:

A grounded 240-volt electrical outlet is required for an electric dryer. Additionally, the plug will be larger than a regular plug, with three or four prongs.

On the other hand, a gas-powered dryer plugs into a regular 110-volt three-prong outlet and connects to a gas valve.

If your dryer is gas-powered, you’ll want to switch off the gas supply valve and take care not to damage the flexible gas line when relocating the unit. If you’re ever in doubt about doing, consult a professional.

What you’ll Need To Clean Dryer Vent

A dryer vent cleaning kit – these are available for around $24 at your local hardware store or online.

• Drill with an electric motor
• Vacuum cleaner or dustpan and broom

In six simple steps, learn how to clean your dryer vent.

The first step is to locate your vent.

Step1: Before cleaning your dryer vent, you must first determine its location. Dryers are often attached to a short exhaust pipe with a 4-inch diameter that connects to ductwork within a wall. The hot air from your dryer is sent through this pipe and exits your home through a vent on the exterior wall.

After locating your external dryer exhaust vent, inspect inside for any debris, such as dust, lint, or even dead bugs. Clean any displays and remove any visible obstacles.

Step 2: Carefully detach your dryer from the wall.

After determining how your ducts function, it’s time to unplug your dryer. After that, remove any metal tape or clamps used to connect your dryer vent pipe to the exhaust. Take care not to break the vent pipe when removing it from the wall duct.

Vacuum the lint

By now, you should have a clear view of the inside of your dryer vent from within your laundry room (or nook). Suck up any lint in or around the hole using the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner or shop vac.

Step 3: You can repeat this procedure on the exterior duct with a portable vacuum. Otherwise, attempt to manually clear debris from the exterior.

Step 4: Infiltrate the area with a brush.

Connect the dryer brush to your power drill in the vent cleaning kit and insert the rod’s brush end into the duct. Push the meeting as far back as possible, keeping in mind that depending on the route your duct travels; you may need to manipulate the hose attachment cautiously.

If you’re having difficulty threading the brush through the entire length of your duct, or if your meeting does not extend that far, try inserting the brush head into the outside duct as well.

Step 5: Conduct a thorough cleanup and reconnect

At this point, you’ve almost certainly discovered a goldmine of lint. You’ll want to sweep away your new fluffy pals with a vacuum cleaner or broom and dustpan.

Following that, connect your dryer to an outlet and reattach your wall duct.

One caveat: if your dryer connects to its wall duct via a flimsy foil-style vent, you’ll want to replace it with something more robust. A 90-degree metal elbow that is fire-resistant and provides optimum ventilation will suffice. 

Step 6: Rejoice

You accomplished it! While cleaning up a dryer vent is not a glamorous job, you rose to the occasion and deserve a victory lap. Switch on your dryer and listen for the lovely sound of air flowing gently out the vent—this is the sound of accomplishment. There will be no more damp clothing and no more endless cycles. And you accomplished it entirely on your own. You should also know how to clean out a dryer duct.

How to avoid future accumulation

To prevent those nasty lint fibers from interfering with your future drying game, remove the lint trap filter located on the outer edge of your dryer door and clean it before each cycle. Additionally, you’ll want to vacuum the lint screen regularly, depending on how frequently you dry your clothing. Finally, brush and dust the area around your dryer.

We have a specialized maintenance crew that can assist you when you have attempted to resolve household issues on your own but need to call a professional Houston dryer vent cleaners.