Here's how it works: Anybody can ask a question The best answers are voted up and rise to the top My dryer exhaust goes out of my laundry room, into my attic, and runs for about 15 feet before it gets outside. Over time the lent has built up quite a bit. What is the best way to clean this? The sections in the attic are connected via duct tape. If this isn't an easy task, what type of local places would do this service. Would heating and air conditioning places have this type of service? You can probably do it yourself cheaper than hiring it out. You could try something like this vent cleaning system. It seems to have fairly good reviews on Amazon, and for $25 it's worth a shot. It claims to have a 12' reach and the ability to navigate turns in the vent, so you may have to go at the last 3' from the other end. Note: You'll need a drill to attach it to. A shopvac would also be helpful, but if you don't have one, the kit includes an attachment to use with your dryer.

You're supposed to clean your dryer duct once a year or so to prevent a fire hazard. The standard thing to clean a dryer duct is a brush with a long flexible handle. They make ones specifically sized for dryer ducts. Here is a typical one: Disconnect your dryer and push the vent into the duct. Run it back and forth a few times. Keep a vacuum handy. best vacuum cleaner philipsYou will make a mess.best household vacuum cleaner in india If your duct is vented somewhere on the ground level, you could easily sweep from both ends. best way to clean vinyl shuttersSince it sounds like yours vents to the roof, you will probably want to sweep from the inside only. best steam vacuum cleaner india

However, you should probably check out the outside vent to make sure it isn't plugged, and opens/shuts properly. If your duct has a lot of sharp bends or is very long (longer than the brush handle can reach), you will need to disconnect sections of the duct and clean them individually. Once you have swept the ducts, you may also want to think about how you can re-configure the duct to make things easier for next time. hp 2000 laptop cpu fanYour dryer duct may not be up to code either (many homes are not).best upholstery steam cleaner rental I know you already have this problem and are asking about clearing it up. However, to prevent this from happening in the future, consider installing one of these lint traps near the exit of your dryer: I have one and it seems to work very well.

You'll need to pop open the top and clean out the lint every few weeks depending on how much drying you do. I have used the tool made for dryer vents, my vent goes under my house and across the width of this room. It does take a power drill, and you can buy an extra 12 feet to add to the 12 feet that comes with the kit I found this product in the dryer appliance sections. I has to repeat the process several times actually until it came out ckean The chimney service company I had install a liner in my chimney also did dryer vent cleaning. I believe some air duct cleaning companies also do dryer vent cleaning as well. If it doesn't bend, then you could use a chimney brush, which is essentially a long stick with a wire brush on the end. I know it's a funny answer but I have used a brick with holes in it and a rope tied to it to get the clog out a then used the brushes that was recommended. Only of course if it is a straight vent from attic. If the duct is extremely clogged, you will need a professional.

The tools for consumers do not have the strength to push through clogs. If the brush gets stuck which is very possible because of joints that are not flush or screws that are not permitted, you will need to hire someone to do an extra job. Sign up or log in Sign up using Google Sign up using Email and Password Post as a guest By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service. Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged vent dryer exhaust-vent or ask your own question.How often should you? How often you should clean your dryer — and the right way to do it Just like Joni Mitchell tells us, we don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone — and that goes for the miracle that is a properly working clothes dryer. Unfortunately, many times our dryers break because we haven’t properly maintained them. Sure, we swipe the thick layer of lint from the filter now and again, but there’s so much more that needs a little TLC.

Tim Smith of Chimney Sweeps of America is an Angie’s List recommended dryer vent cleaner, and he’s breaking down what you need to know to properly clean your dryer. Not only will these tips maintain your dryer’s efficiency — but they will also help prevent the appliance from breaking down. Here are his professional tips for maintaining dryer filters, drums and vents. Cleaning filters and drums Let’s tackle the easiest chore first. We all know that dryer filters should be cleaned after each use. However, a clean filter may still be clogged if you use fabric softener sheets in the dryer. Test your dryer filter by clearing it of lint, then pouring a small amount of water onto the filter screen. If the water pools up instead of flowing through the screen, wash the screen in warm, soapy water using a brush. Rinse, retest and repeat until the water flows through. RELATED: Here's a cheap, eco-friendly fix for a slow-moving drain The dryer drum usually doesn’t need cleaning unless you’re drying a load of hairy, pet items or gritty play clothes.

In these cases, try to shake the hair and grit off the articles before tossing them into the dryer. After the load is dry, wipe out the drum with a damp cloth to remove hair and grit. Should lipstick, gum, crayon, etc. accidentally find its way into your dryer, it’s okay to scream. After you cool down, however, follow this advice from Debra Johnson, national home cleaning expert at Merry Maids: “Get the stuff off by warming the dryer a few minutes. (Toss in a couple old towels or rags first.) Remove the excess by scraping it off with a hard rubber spatula. Tackle the remaining residue by wiping the area with a cloth dampened with a small amount of laundry detergent and hot water. Use a dry cloth to remove any excess water or suds.” Believe it or not, that was the easy part of dryer maintenance. Now it’s time to bring out the big guns. Cleaning the dryer vent Dryer exhaust vents should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year depending on the size of the household and dryer usage.

“I have four children and do lots of laundry, so I clean it three times a year,” says Smith. Dryer vents accumulate highly flammable lint, and failure to clean out lint is the leading cause of dryer fires. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, over 15, 000 dryer fires occurred in the U.S. in 2010. A plugged dryer vent can also burn out the heating element. RELATED: How often you should wash your bedding — and the right way to do it A telltale sign that the dryer vent needs cleaning is that clothes take longer and longer to dry. “When it takes 2-3 cycles to dry a load of towels, it’s time to check things out,” says Smith. Another indication of poor or obstructed venting is that the dryer’s external cabinet or it’s control area is hotter than usual. If that happens, disconnect the dryer and check the vent. RELATED: How often you should clean your refrigerator — and the right way to do it Visually inspect the outside vent opening and remove any obstructions — usually these are animal nests.

Vents at ground level are perfect for rodent nests (chipmunks, squirrels and rats). Upper level vents are more attractive to birds. Next, tackle the lint. There are several options for removing lint build-up. A flexible brush with an extendible wand grabs the lint for easy removal (from $17-34 at home improvement stores).An air compressor blows it out.A combination vacuum cleaner and brush sucks it out. (Just make sure the vacuum hose is long enough.) Whichever method you use, it’s important to remove the lint throughout the entire length of the vent.After removing the lint from the vent, remove it also from the area behind the dryer—the floor, under the dryer and the back of the cabinet. “The air being pulled into the dryer comes from behind the dryer,” says Smith. “If there’s lint around there, it will be drawn into the dryer, causing further build-up in the vent.”Does all this sound too complicated? Consider hiring a pro to do it. According to Smith, the average professional dryer cleaning runs $89-$179.