Cleaning Dryer Vent In Attic

If you live in a high humidity area or use your dryer more than twice weekly you should clean this vent several times per year.

Cleaning dryer vent in attic.

One last step is to clean the exterior vent. You join these. It consists of a lint brush and six 2 foot long flexible segments. Check out the dryer vent safety link in the article above for more information.

There is a metal roof flashing covering the vent pipe. Also locate the dryer exhaust vent at your home s exterior. My gas dryer aluminum duct pipe vents into the attic about 3 inches from the roof. Next you need to buy a specialized dryer vent cleaning kit.

Then get on the roof and peel back any shingles that may be covering the vent as well as the guard. Once the vent is exposed use a vent brush first clean the exterior surfaces. The first step on how to clean a dryer vent is to unplug the dryer. Again remove as much lint as possible using your hand or a brush.

The tools and supplies you need to clean a dryer vent duct include a vacuum with a long hose attachment dryer vent brush kit screwdrivers and ul listed metal foil duct tape. Before dryer vent cleaning locate the vent which should be easily found at the back of the dryer. Lint from the dryer is collecting on the insulation in the attic. You may need a screwdriver or another tool to hold the vent flap open for easier cleaning.

I picked this one up at my local home depot for 19. If you have a gas dryer turn the supply valve off while cleaning. In your case you might need to disconnect the vent pipe in the attic and fish a dryer cleaning brush with an extension handle down it from there to be able to reach the entire length of pipe. It only takes a few minutes and the peace of mind is well worth the minimal effort.

The dryers i service are in use almost 24 hours a day seven days a week. The vent clean out kits that you find in your home improvement stores are only ten to twelve feet. Get help with your home improvement projects. I clean the vents monthly.

Should the duct pipe be extended so that the lint would go outside the attic on to the roof. Or at least here in my neck of the woods. Before you clean a dryer vent on the roof vacuum out the vent behind the dryer since it s easier to clean out the length of the vent from the ground floor. The attic is usually colder than the rest of the house during the winter and that can create a problem for a dryer vent.