Kitchen Gas Appliances - Cleaning dryer ducts
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Cleaning dryer ducts
sungar
07-22-01, 05:23 PM
I have a Maytag gas dryer (about 10 years old). It takes FOREVER to dry clothes, but it does heat up to what I think is a reasonable temperature.
I've read the posts and it seems the most common cause for this is bad airflow. I disconnected the hose from the back of the dryer and it seems like there is good airflow there, but nowhere near as much when it actually comes out of the house.
It's a long way from the dryer to the outside (into the wall, 90 degree turn, 8 ft up the wall, 90 degree turn, 15 ft staight line out of the house - like a big C). I've done what I can to try and get it cleaned out, but I'm not sure how good a job I've done.
Any suggestions on what I can use to try to clean out the duct? Anything else that it could be?
Thanks for your help,
-Steve
I've read the posts and it seems the most common cause for this is bad airflow. I disconnected the hose from the back of the dryer and it seems like there is good airflow there, but nowhere near as much when it actually comes out of the house.
It's a long way from the dryer to the outside (into the wall, 90 degree turn, 8 ft up the wall, 90 degree turn, 15 ft staight line out of the house - like a big C). I've done what I can to try and get it cleaned out, but I'm not sure how good a job I've done.
Any suggestions on what I can use to try to clean out the duct? Anything else that it could be?
Thanks for your help,
-Steve
Sharp Advice
07-22-01, 09:26 PM
Hello Sungar and Welcome to the Do It Yourself Web Site and my Gas Appliance forum.
Test the dryer without the exhaust vent connected. The dryer should then dry correctly. Which means your vent is restricted, as you suspected.
The problem may be a way to access the vent, tube if it's behind walls. However, not always. Vent tube behind walls is made of sheet metal.
What may need to be fished through the tubing is a plumbers drain clearing snake. You may need to attach a chimney sweeping brush to the end of it.
Most plumbers supply section of a privately owned local hadeware store has these items.
Depending on the actual location of the vent tube, it may be necessary to cut some wall board to access the bends.
Of course I can only offer you suggestive ideas without actually seeing the layout. At least your on the right track. Also check the outside vent hood and flapper door.
You may also want/need to open the dryer compartment, clean out all lint and check the vent tube inside the dryer cabinet and the fan blower area for excessive lint.
Safety Reminder:
ALWAYS be positive you have unplugged the electrical power and turned off the gas supply to the appliance prior to attempting any repairs!
Regards & Good Luck
Forum Moderator
Tom_Bartco
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Test the dryer without the exhaust vent connected. The dryer should then dry correctly. Which means your vent is restricted, as you suspected.
The problem may be a way to access the vent, tube if it's behind walls. However, not always. Vent tube behind walls is made of sheet metal.
What may need to be fished through the tubing is a plumbers drain clearing snake. You may need to attach a chimney sweeping brush to the end of it.
Most plumbers supply section of a privately owned local hadeware store has these items.
Depending on the actual location of the vent tube, it may be necessary to cut some wall board to access the bends.
Of course I can only offer you suggestive ideas without actually seeing the layout. At least your on the right track. Also check the outside vent hood and flapper door.
You may also want/need to open the dryer compartment, clean out all lint and check the vent tube inside the dryer cabinet and the fan blower area for excessive lint.
Safety Reminder:
ALWAYS be positive you have unplugged the electrical power and turned off the gas supply to the appliance prior to attempting any repairs!
Regards & Good Luck
Forum Moderator
Tom_Bartco
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.