Tips for Dryer Duct Cleaning

If you fail to clean your dryer machine for too long, lint will build up in your dryer duct. This buildup may cause inefficiency, reduce performance, and even shorten the lifespan of your machine. Ideally, you need to perform a dryer duct cleaning once every year.

There are a couple of ways that you can clean your dryer duct. Hire a pro to do it, or do it yourself. If you decide to do it yourself, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.

Also, it might be necessary to clean your dryer duct as soon as possible if you encounter problems such as:

1. Clothes take a longer time to dry
2. Clothes failing to dry as expected completely
3. Clothes are hotter than usual after drying
4. The outer surface of the dryer machine gets too hot
5. You notice a burning smell in the laundry room, especially when your dryer machine is running
6. Your laundry room gets too humid

To make sure your duct is cleaned correctly, you can enlist professional help for the job. However, dryer duct cleaning is not very difficult to do yourself. You will need a few supplies and some time, but the job can be completed without much trouble.

Before DIY, make sure you have a special dryer duct brush with an automated drill. Without this kit, cleaning your dryer duct by yourself will not be effective. If you can’t find the brush kit, you can opt for a scrub brush with a long and flexible handle. It will require more effort to clean, but it is the only possible alternative.

Another thing that you will need is a vacuum cleaner with a long and narrow hose. You might also need a screwdriver if your ductwork connections are screwed in.

Now that you have your equipment ready, here is how to perform the dryer duct cleaning:

1. Unplug the cord and turn off the gas valve (if you have a gas dryer).
2. Disconnect all the duct joints. If you can’t seem to access the dryer vent, you might need professional help.
3. Carefully remove the lint trap filter.
4. Vacuum the lint trap housing with your vacuum cleaner’s long and thin hose.
5. After vacuuming gently, use a special dryer duct brush to brush the lint trap housing. Use the drill at its lowest speed. Move the brush back and forth for more effective cleaning.
6. Move on to the ductwork and perform the same cleaning method at both ends of the ducts.
7. If there is a wad of lint stuck in the middle of the duct that you can’t brush out or vacuum, try using a wire to fish it out. Be careful not to poke the duct wall with the wire, as this might cause leakage.
8. Reattach all of your ducts properly. Screw them back in, if necessary. If you need to seal some connections, use UL-listed metal foil duct tape. Regular plastic tape will fail after a while.
9. Put the lint trap filter in its place.
10. Plug the cord back and turn on the gas valve.
11. Run the dryer to see if everything runs properly.

It is highly advisable not to perform your dryer duct cleaning by yourself unless you are sure you have the skills for it. Improper execution might end up ruining your duct without even cleaning it. If you decide to use professional help, choose someone with a good reputation and a proper license.

ECM Air Conditioning, with its headquarters located in Boynton Beach, FL, provides air conditioning services within Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, and St. Lucie County. If you’re looking to have a new HVAC system installed, we’re on-call and ready to assist you. So if you’re in need of an HVAC installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an inspection! Our HVAC installation experts will check your ductwork, measure, check wire sizes, and more before making recommendations to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort. Call us at 561-295-1763 or contact our HVAC installation team online by clicking here.