What You Need To Know About Installing a Dryer Vent System

What You Need to Know About Installing a Dryer Vent System

Proper dryer vent installation is necessary to acquire the desired outcome and prevent catastrophes.

Dryer vents are not new. They have been an integral part of every household for generations. With time, the setup got updated to assimilate our requirements.

In the early 19th century, England designed the first mechanical clothes dryer. The clothes were dumped in a barrel, which was then rotated over flames.

Later, in the late 20th century, the design was improved with a flexible vent fixed with the dryer to blow out the moisture. Even though the updated design fixed the moisture issue, but its tendency to pose fire hazard remains unchanged.

Dryers hoses made out of metal tubing or flexible vinyl have rigid ducts that are the perfect lint traps. Later on, to improve the safety, experts started recommending rigid/semi-rigid vent’s hose.

Rigid or semi-rigid vents have a smooth interior, which allows lint to easily blow out from the hose, which is only possible with a proper dryer installation.

Planning to install dryer vents? Here are a few tips that you need to look out for installing dryer vents properly.

Tools You’ll Need to Install A Dryer Vent System

No installation can be completed without proper materials and tools. To avoid potential headaches, arranging them beforehand is a wise decision. Here are all the materials and tools you will need to install a dryer vent system.

  • A caulk gun
  • Corded Drill
  • Drill Bit-set
  • A ratchet screwdriver
  • Tin Snips
  • Measuring Tape
  • Safety Glass
  • Work Gloves

Dryer Vent Installation Guide

1.  A proper location for the exhaust duct

The first step towards installing a dryer vent properly is to decide the route of the duct from the appliance outside your house. It is always a wise choice to keep the duct as shorter and as straighter as possible.

Though the scenario is not always that favorable and uncomplicated, just make sure the duct does not exceed 25ft when there is no bend. For each 90-degree bend, deduct 5ft from the duct length.

2.  Precise drill measurement

Precision is the key to proper installation. Using a driller, make a pilot point. Then, check the exterior part of the point to check its position. Now, using a 4-1/4inch drill bit, make holes in the wall as required.

3.  Attach the vent cap

Use the Caulk gun, attach the vent cap, and screw it in with the same number of turns on every side. If there is uneven tightness, the flap won’t seal.

Dryer Vent Maintenance

1. Remove lint from the trap

Before starting the dryer cycle, clean the trap to make sure that the dryer has no lint that can cause fire or capture moisture and reduce performance. Adapting it into your daily habits is a wise choice.

Every 3-4 months, remove the trap and thoroughly clean it with lukewarm water and dish soap to remove the residue. Wait for the lint trap the dry inside-out before you put it back inside the vent.

Don’t forget to examine the trap for any holes or crack on the screen. Replace the lint if it’s damaged to prevent lint build up inside the ducts.

2. Clean Dryness Sensor

Cleaning your dryness sensor annually will save you a lot of money down the road. They can be easily found under the interior part of the drum door or around it.

Clean it with a cotton ball dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Rub the sensor bar gently like caressing it. This will remove all the residues that have accumulated there without causing damage to the sensor.

Sensor cleaning will help the dryer operate more efficiently to dry the clothes quicker, which eventually will assist in saving a lot of energy.

 3. Clean Exterior Vent

Frequently inspect the exterior vent manually for any damage such as leaks, cracks, or signs of nest/infestation.

In colder areas, the outside of your vent can be an ideal place for small animals or birds to live.

If there is any buildup, clean it up/remove them, and if the vent is damaged, get it replaced as soon as possible. 

 4. Call an Expert

Too tired to install or maintain your dryer? Call an expert today for professional installation/maintenance. Not only will it make your dryer efficacious, but also your home safer. 

How often you need to clean dryer vent

the-procedure-to-clean-dryer-vent

Is your dryer vent taking extra time to dry your clothes? Is the body of the vent getting overheated when used? Then maybe your dryer vent needs maintenance. 

Dryer vents need to be either cleaned at home every day or professionally cleaned periodically. It helps in retaining the efficiency of the dryer vent. 

When the water-laden air is blown out from the house, it sucks up dirt, debris, and lint from the air apart from the moisture. If left uncleaned for a long time, they can get accumulated inside the vent and eventually intrude on its performance.  

Apart from losing its efficiency and getting overheated, there are few other signs which indicate that it is time for a dryer vent cleaning service such as: 

  • The hood flap is not opening properly.
  • The clothes have a mild burnt smell after being dried.
  • Your laundry room is turning into a sauna room when the vent is being used.
  • Even after a long tumble, the clothes are damp.

Process of a cleaning a dryer vent

If you are planning to clean your dryer vent on your own, then you may need to ruffle your toolbox and accumulate a few instruments first, such as:

  • A screwdriver
  • A vacuum cleaner with a long crevice attached
  • A dryer vent cleaning brush. You can also use a straightened wire hanger as an alternative. 
  • Duct tape in case of flexible hose

Steps to cleaning your dryer vent

  • Unplug the dryer 
  • Remove the cover of the dryer vet leaving the hose and the dryer’s vent exposed
  • Disconnect the hose from the dryer vent and the dryer. You will need a screwdriver to unscrew the hose.
  • Using the vacuum cleaner, start cleaning the vent. Insert the crevice into the vent and vacuum it thoroughly. 
  • Vacuum the hose properly inside-out from both ends.
  • If there is any lint left inside, use the straightened wire hanger or the vent cleaning brush to remove it. Whatever you are using, go easy else you may end up puncturing the hose. 
  • Vacuum the dryer cover
  • Screw back both ends of the hose. In the event it is a foil hose, use the duct tape to seal them properly. 
  • Keep the dryer on for a few minutes and check for any leakage from the connections.

If you want to skip this tiring process, you can opt for a clothes dryer vent cleaning services professional who can get the job done in less time and more accurately

There are several factors that affect how often do you need to clean your dryer vent to keep it running smoothly. A few of them are:

  • Pets

If you have pets around, especially those who shed a lot, you may need to clean your dryer vent more frequently. You must be aware if you are a pet owner that pet hairs can be found even in the most unexpected places.

  • Family size

The more clothes you leave to dry, the more lint the vent sucks in. A family of four will need dryer vent duct cleaning services more frequently than a family of two.

  • Type of laundry 

Wool and fluffy items such as blankets and towels are few of the worst enemies of dryer vents. They love to clog the hose with the lint. If you frequently dry such items, your dryer vent will need frequent servicing.

  • Age of the textiles

New clothes shed a lot of lint. So, if you are fond of shopping, you may need frequent servicing of your dryer vent to keep your vent running smoothly and efficiently. 

Why should you keep your dryer vent clean? 

An uncleaned dryer vent will not only work inefficiently but possesses other trouble and risks too. When you clean your dryer vent frequently, you will be saving/reducing:

  • A lot of energy

A clean dryer vent works more efficiently and does its job faster, which eventually conserves energy. When cleaned daily, you can reduce up to 25% on your energy bill.

  • Maintenance cost

The more the work is, the more will be the service charge of the dryer vent cleaning company. So, vacuum the opening to clean any stuck lint, or dirt and debris. Else, thoroughly clean it periodically.  

  • Risk of fire

When left untreated, lint will start accumulating inside the dryer and when the dryer gets overheated, it may catch fire as lint is a highly flammable material. 

  • Damage of the dryer

A dirty dryer will need to work harder, leaving it exhausted after every use. This may start damaging the delicate parts of the dryer. Regular cleaning will prevent this overstrain.  

Bonus tips to keep your dryer clean

  • If you are using a flexible vent pipe, consider replacing them with a solid vent pipe. The flexible vent pipes, which are commonly made out of foil, are a common fire hazard material and a lint attractor.  
  • Allow the dryer to cool down before reloading.
  • Switch to a fabric softener in the event you are using dryer sheets.
  • Place the dryer near an external wall. 

Regular maintenance of the dryer helps your dryer vent run efficiently. 

If you have a long vent, a damaged dryer, or the dryer hasn’t been cleaned for a prolonged period, opt for a dryer vent cleaning service provider rather than try to do it by yourself