Cleaning Dryer Vent In Attic

There is a metal roof flashing covering the vent pipe.

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. Also locate the dryer exhaust vent at your home s exterior. Send your questions to tom. Lint from the dryer is collecting on the insulation in the attic.

It consists of a lint brush and six 2 foot long flexible segments. Then get on the roof and peel back any shingles that may be covering the vent as well as the guard. The attic is usually colder than the rest of the house during the winter and that can create a problem for a dryer vent. I picked this one up at my local home depot for 19.

One last step is to clean the exterior vent. Before dryer vent cleaning locate the vent which should be easily found at the back of the dryer. Or at least here in my neck of the woods. Next you need to buy a specialized dryer vent cleaning kit.

Once the vent is exposed use a vent brush first clean the exterior surfaces. You join these. Should the duct pipe be extended so that the lint would go outside the attic on to the roof. My gas dryer aluminum duct pipe vents into the attic about 3 inches from the roof.

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. How to clean a dryer vent duct rather than hire a professional a diy cleaning job saves money. You may need a screwdriver or another tool to hold the vent flap open for easier cleaning. I clean the vents monthly.

If you have a gas dryer turn the supply valve off while cleaning. It only takes a few minutes and the peace of mind is well worth the minimal effort. Check out the dryer vent safety link in the article above for more information. 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.

Get help with your home improvement projects. 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. 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.