How to Check if Your Dryer is Venting Properly: A Must-Read Guide for Homeowners
Is Your Dryer Venting Properly?
The dryer is one of the most common workhorses of home appliances. It tirelessly dries your laundry day in and day out, but are you certain it is operating properly and efficiently?
The dryer venting system is one component of routine dryer maintenance that regularly gets overlooked by homeowners. The ducting system can easily get clogged or disconnected from the external vent without you knowing, leading to hot and moist air blowing into your home or crawlspace. For a number of reasons that we’ll discuss below, it’s important to ensure that your dryer is venting properly.
Any questions or need professional advice? Get in touch with us for a free inspection or to give a quote.
Risks Associated with Disconnected or Clogged Dryer Vents
Clogged Dryer Vents Lead to House Fires
One of the most critical reasons for proper dryer venting is to prevent house fires. Lint builds up in the ducts and can obstruct the vent, preventing airflow. This leads to heat buildup that can cause the trapped lint to combust and lead to a fire that spreads to the home. Unfortunately, lint can also back all the way up into the dryer itself, collect around the heating element of the dryer, and catch fire. Thus, the fire starts right inside your laundry room and can quickly grow.
To avoid fire risk, it’s important to regularly inspect and clean the dryer vent system. We typically recommend dryer vent cleaning every 1-3 years depending on use.
Ensure Dryer Vents Are Connected to Keep Moisture Out of Your Crawlspace
A properly connected dryer vents the hot, moist air from your laundry to the outside through an external vent. If the dryer duct is broken or disconnected, then that hot, wet air might be blowing back into your laundry room, or even worse, your crawlspace. Over time, this moisture can grow mold and mildew, as well cause structural damage to your home and potential health problems for your family.
The best way to prevent this is to check that your dryer vent is properly connected. It might require that you go into the crawlspace or check the activity of your external vent outside while your dryer is running.
Keep Your Dryer Working Efficiently
Apart from safety and health problems, improper dryer venting can also interfere with its efficacy. Clogged and disconnected dryer ducts can lead to the dryer overheating and straining to the point that it breaks or causes a fire. Even if the result is not so drastic, you’ll find that you have to run your laundry multiple times to get it dry as well as pay increased electric bills. 
Think of it like running a marathon with a backpack full of rocks- much harder, much less efficient, and you burn out faster. The same is applicable to your dryer; if it is constantly pushing air through the blocked vent, then it will wear out faster and cause an expensive repair.
How to Check If Your Dryer Is Venting Properly
Since you now understand why it is important to ensure there is proper venting for your dryer, here’s how to check. There’s two main things to look for: a clog and a disconnection.
Check for a Clog
- Unplug your Dryer: First, ensure that your dryer is unplugged from the electric outlet before you proceed with troubleshooting.
- Locate the Vent Opening: Determine and inspect the area where your dryer vent attaches to the back of your dryer. This is usually a flexible or rigid metal tube.
- Check External Vent: Just step outside and look for the opening of the vent. Usually, the vent is on the side of your home. Look out for any visible blocks like lint, debris, or bird nests. Use a flashlight if necessary.
- Remove Lint Screen and Clean: Remove the lint screen from your dryer and clean it very well. Lint accumulation here can also interfere with airflow.
- Check the Duct: If you suspect that there’s a clog in your vent, remove it from the back of your clothes dryer and check. Give us a call to schedule a cleaning, as it is very easy to damage the ducting if you use improper tools.
If you suspect a clog but are not comfortable checking yourself, please give us a call, and we’ll be happy to do an inspection and cleaning if necessary.
Make Sure the Duct isn’t Disconnected
- Access the Back of the Dryer: Pull your dryer out from the wall and give yourself access to the back panel.
- Inspect the Duct Connection: Make sure the duct is properly connected to both the dryer and the wall vent. If the piece is loose or disconnected, reconnect it.
- Secure with Clamps: By use of metal clamps, secure the connections of the ducts. Ducts that are loosely connected can let out moist air and lint into your house.
- Torn or Damaged: Look for tears or damage in the duct. Replace accordingly any necessary replacement if required to ensure proper venting.
Conclusion – Stay Safe and Dry Efficiently!
In conclusion, as a homeowner, it is very important to determine whether your dryer vents are properly maintained. Prevent house fires and moisture in your crawl space, and ensure that your dryer is operating efficiently, cutting down electricity bills.
Ultimately, it’s a simple process that can make a world of difference in the safety and functionality of your dryer. So, spend just a few minutes regularly inspecting and cleaning your dryer venting system each year. Your home will thank you!
