As long as the allergy season is here and people are thinking air duct cleaning and furnace tune-ups, I thought an article about dryer vent cleaning might be useful information for homeowners as well
Cleaning your Dryer Vent
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This annual or semi-annual cleaning is easy to forget about, but is very important. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission over 15,000 fires and 19 deaths are related to dryer venting each year. In addition to the danger of a clogged dryer vent is a huge energy loss. A clear vent will allow moisture to escape better and the clothes will dry faster.
Inside the dryer clear any visible lint with a long handled brush or vacuum attachment. Clean the lint trap after the each load to reduce the lint build up.
On the venting leading outside of the house be sure to inspect a few different areas. First, make sure the venting to not kinked or bent. This would also be a good time to replace plastic or foil venting with a stronger solid or semi-ridig metal. Next, look at the exit on the outside of the house. Bird screens are notorious for collecting link and reducing air flow. Finally, if you have a long vent you need to it cleaned also. Professional air duct cleaning services or a chimney sweep can do this. You can also clean it with a shop-vac or an electric leaf blower. Remove the out side vent cover so the entire 4-inch vent is exposed. Move the dryer so you can get to vent with the equipment. Attach the end of the blower on the vent and seal it with a clamp of duct tape. Make sure the vac is set on blow not suck. Use the lowest setting to start and let it do the work. You will be amazed by the amount of link you will find it you grass.
There are some cleaning kits that use an auger brush and a drill to clean long runs, but they are expensive and could damage your venting without you seeing it. Solid and semi-ridig ducting can tear or separate it poked hard enough with a metal stick.
