How To Tell If Your Dryer Is Venting Properly

As romantic as it may seem to hang up your clothes to dry in the sun, there's no denying the convenience of having a dryer at home. These machines use a lot of hot air to dry clothes quickly. However, that heat exhaust has to go somewhere. That's why your typical in-home dryer in the U.S. requires a vent to safely disperse that heat and moisture outside. The problem is that clothes dryers create lint, which can build up over time and obstruct the dryer vent. A clogged dryer vent can prevent the machine from drying clothes properly and can also cause excess wear. Beyond these issues, a much bigger danger with a dryer that isn't venting properly is fire.

Dryer vent buildup poses a serious fire hazard. If the hot air can't escape through the exhaust, the dryer can overheat, increasing the risk of a lint fire. The good news is that the symptoms of inadequate dryer ventilation are pretty noticeable. Clothes drying slowly in the machine, excessive heat or moisture in your laundry area, lint around the dryer, or strange smells when the machine is running can indicate that it isn't venting heat and moisture as it should. If your dryer shows any of these signs, it's time to inspect and clean the exhaust vent, but there's an easy at-home test you can do to determine whether it's venting properly.

One easy way to check whether the dryer is venting heat properly is by doing the paper test. Simply take a piece of paper and place it over the machine's air vent (usually where the lint trap is located) while the dryer is running. If the vent is inside the dryer, as is often the case with front-loading units, go outside and place the paper against the exhaust opening while the dryer is running.

If the dryer is venting properly while running, its air vent will create enough suction to draw the paper towards it. If you're doing the test outside, the exhaust vent should blow air against the paper while the machine is on. A successful paper test means there's sufficient airflow leading from the dryer to the exhaust vent outside your home. However, if the dryer vent isn't producing enough suction to move the paper, then you likely have lint or other debris clogging up the exhaust. That's a clear sign it's time to clean your dryer vent or have it inspected by a professional.

You can clean your dryer vent yourself with a little know-how. First, disconnect the dryer completely, unplugging its power cable and removing the duct from the wall and machine. Use a vacuum hose attachment to thoroughly clean lint out of the duct, the wall vent, and the opening at the back of the dryer. Finally, do the same with the dryer exhaust on the outside wall of your home. All you have to do is remove the vent cover and vacuum the opening thoroughly. When you're finished, re-attach everything securely.If you cannot move your dryer or access the vent by yourself, hire a service technician. 

It's also a good idea to completely clean your dryer vent at least once a year. Don't wait until it's already clogged and showing signs of improper ventilation. Keeping your dryer's exhaust vent clean and free of lint buildup helps it run efficiently, extends the machine's life, and also keeps your home free of one of the most common hidden fire hazards.