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Dryer vent clean-out

17 years ago

Has anyone ever heard of a 4" rigid duct clean-out fitting? My dryer vent has to go UP to get to where it goes through the outside wall, and my inspector said I need a clean-out at the low 90 deg bend... he said to use a T with a cap on one end... but that seems to me to defeat the purpose.. and will actually MAKE lint accunulate MUCH faster than in an elbow that is only 3' below the vent exit.

Anyone ever heard of this? Or know of a clean out fitting that will not cause lint to accumulate and interfere with air flow?

Jeff

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Comments (5)

asolo
17 years ago
In many decades of messing with dryer vents, I've yet to see a single one with a "clean-out" fitting. Cleaning dryer vents is a nuisance, but not particularly difficult. I regard "clean-outs" as useless overkill -- and, yes, they would act as an additional lint-collector.

However, if you're talking about an inspector charged with upholding local codes you may have no choice.

I have similar opinion of my garage-door opener which requires electric eyes across the bottom. We have no children and the obtrusive mountings are a clear hazard to my aged mother who can't see well and takes blood thinners. I disabled them and removed them. They can prosecute me if they want.
jamesk
17 years ago
Sounds to me like you ended up with an overly zelous home inspector. These guys always have to come up with something that needs repair or improvement. If they don't, the homeowner paying for the inspection might not feel like they're getting their money's worth.

I've never heard of a dryer vent "clean-out" either (for the very reason you mention). To clean a dryer vent line, simply disconnect the dryer and blow out the vent with a leaf blower.
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jscozz
Original Author
17 years ago
I agree... this is not a paid home inspector though... it is the city fire inspector... I am GC on my new house... I installed the dryer vent... all rigid... no screws... taped and clamped joints... perfect installation. Now he wants me to screw it up with a T and a cap for clean-out purposes. if I don't I won't pass inspection. So, I guess I gotta do it.
asolo
17 years ago
This is totally assinine. If there truly is some kind of code on it where you live, I guess you're SOL but what a totally useless -- hazardous, actually -- annoyance.

I would at least check with his super and make sure the guy has this right and there really is no choice. Sounds pretty ridiculous to me.
gordonr
17 years ago
I would check out the local codes as I don't remember seeing anything about such foolishness in common codes (e.g. International Mechanical Code) which many local codes reference. If this inspector is making it up, I would either:
(1) call him on it, and respectively request he show you where the code says this, or (2) put in what he is asking for and then remove it as soon as he leaves.

You could always point out your hesitation to do as he asks because you fear such an installation would go against the requirements set by the dryer's manufacturer. By analogy with space heating equipment, beyond some basic requirements, good inspectors will actually look at a manufacturer's installation directions and assure your venting meets their requirements. A dryer really shouldn't be any different. The bottom line is this inspector is putting you at odds with not only good sense but also the specification the manufacturer has set forth for the proper installation of the equipment.

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