The other day Preston Sandlin did a nice blog about the importance of cleaning dryer vents called "Clean-Me." Visit his blog for additional info and see a pretty cool tool for cleaning metal dryer vents.
Dryer vents are a common item in the home that needs routine maintenance for fire safety. The lint from dryers is very flammable and can build up on the insides of ducts very easily. Especially problematic are the types of dryer ducts that are corrugated or flexible. The worst of these is the white plastic ones that are no longer allowed on dryers due to their high risk of fire. If you have this type of vent pipe on your dryer get it changed now.
Another very common type of dryer vent is the flexible metal foil type vent pipe.
This stuff is essentially foil covered plastic and is only marginally better than its cousin the white flexible plastic duct. The interesting thing about this pipe is that it is "UL Listed" for installation on dryers. This is the main reason we are seeing it installed, and even approved by jurisdictional building inspectors, even though, it is expressly forbidden by the installation instructions of most dryer manufacturers. Maytag does not allow it and here is a picture of what Whirlpool's installation instructions have to say about it:
Keep in mind that in a "pissing match" between "Building Codes" and "Manufacturer's Instructions"---the Manufacturer wins.
Charles Buell
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In my home the metal vent is in the wall and goes straight up through the attic and through the roof. Once outside it does a U-turn and blows down (to keep rain water out).. and there is 1/4 inch hardware cloth over the opening (to keep out birds) The problem is that 1/4 inch mesh....Our dryer seemed to take longer and longer to get the clothes dry, The vent was clean, in the laundry room. I took the dryer apart...no obstructions there. Finally I got out the ladder and got on the roof. Yep..... totally clogged
Great "heads up" on the foil piping for cloths driers. Thanks for keeping everyone posted on safety issues.
Sean Allen
Charlie, you are right---these vents and their exterior caps are often in terrible condition.
Heather, a lot of installers seem to be having that problem:)
Ron, throw away the screen. There should be no screens in the vent caps of dryers----period.
Leslie, Thanks:)
Bruce, I agree with you
Sean, thanks for the comment
Derek, Dryers can represent a serious fire hazard when not properly maintained
Gabrielle, I am glad you enjoy my posts and if you have to cummunicate something nasty you might as well do it with humor:)
Michael, sometimes we just have to keep on tilting at the windmills:)
Sondra, I think in terms of safety issues it is often one of the least maintained
Barbara, the picture was takend sort of from the side but looking down behind the dryer.
David, the infamous Coiled Foil Snake---ready to strike!