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How to Clean Vent Pipes

by Carole Vansickle

  • Overview

    Dryer vent pipes are generally not one of the first things you think about when you do your weekly cleaning. However, even though lint traps are designed to catch lint before it gets into your vent pipe, about 10 percent of the dust and dirt makes it through. Over time, this can build up in your vent pipe and create a serious fire hazard--as well as preventing your dryer from working as well as it did when the pipe was clear.
 

  • Step 1

    Disconnect your dryer. Gently pull the dryer away from the wall to expose the plug for the dryer as well as the dryer vent. You need to unplug the dryer and turn off the gas if you have a gas dryer.

  • Step 2

    Disconnect the vent hose. There will be a small clamp holding the flexible vent hose to a metal "elbow" that protrudes from the back of the dryer. You may be able to simply squeeze it to release the hose, or you might need to use the screwdriver to loosen it. This will enable you to separate the vent hose, which is connected to the pipe, from the dryer so that you can start cleaning.

  • Step 3

    Inspect the interior of the dryer for lint. You can use a brush to clean out the interior of the aluminum elbow, which will slide right off the dryer, and then use the flashlight to look inside the dryer for additional lint. If you find any, use a hand-held brush to get it out. You may even find lost socks or other items of clothing.

  • Step 4

    Clean the interior of the dryer using the industrial vacuum. Feed the hose into the dryer vent pipe and vacuum out the inside. The industrial vacuum should remove all dust, dirt and debris.

  • Step 5

    Clean out the vent pipe hose using the industrial vacuum. Feed the industrial vacuum hose into the flexible vent pipe hose and clean as far down as possible. A lot of lint will probably fall on the floor, and you'll need to vacuum that up, too, before you move on.

  • Step 6

    Clean out the rest of the vent pipe. Your vent pipe will probably run under the floor and out of the house. If the vent pipe is exposed in your basement or crawl space, you can clean out these areas of the vent pipe by loosening the clamps on any elbow joints and cleaning in both directions from the joint. If there are no exposed joints, then you will need to feed the industrial hose into the outside dryer vent pipe as well to get the rest of the vent pipeline as clean as possible.
  • 1
  • Screwdriver Flashlight Cleaning brushes Industrial vacuum with hose Brush attachments for the hose
  • Screwdriver
  • Flashlight
  • Cleaning brushes
  • Industrial vacuum with hose
  • Brush attachments for the hose
  • You should clean your vent pipes at least twice a year to prevent serious lint buildup.
  • You should clean your vent pipes at least twice a year to prevent serious lint buildup.
  • If you are concerned that you have not adequately cleaned your vent pipe, hire a professional, since lint buildup can cause house fires.
  • If you are concerned that you have not adequately cleaned your vent pipe, hire a professional, since lint buildup can cause house fires.

References & Resources

     
     
 
 

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