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Dryer vent is inaccessible and needs cleaning

7 years ago

Hi,

I have a 35' foot straight run from the laundry room to the front of the house. There is a booster fan TD-MIXVENT 100X that is installed after a lint trap close to the dryer.

I can not see where the vent terminates outside the house. I detached the vent from the dryer and played some loud music inside the vent and then walked around the outside of the house. I'm convinced that the vent is terminated inside a deck and is completely inaccessible.

I'm pretty sure the vent needs cleaning, but given that its inaccessible I'm not sure how to do that. Should I attach a leaf blower and attempt to blow it out? I'm worried that without access to the termination I would make it worse.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks!

Bassam

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Comments (4)

a1an
7 years ago
Couple of thoughts Bassam. How did you determine it needs cleaning. I would not use a blower - just in case one of your joints are not as tight as it should be.

They make dedicated vent cleaners. Flexiable fiberglass rod that attaches to a drill, brush head attaches to the rod and it ~scours~ the inside of the vent.

I usually do it the latter method though - I clean from the outside and have the dryer running, so it blows all that lint out as it scours..
bassamtabbara
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks @a1an. I have an endoscope USB camera that I used to look inside the vent and it does look like it has some lint throughout (nothing too heavy) and certainly at the end of it (which looks like it restricting airflow). I can also see that when I reconnect the vent to the fan there seems to be some static pressure and the fan starts making more noise.

I'll try the brush but I'm not sure if the brush is going to be able to get the lint at the end, especially the ones that are stuck between grates at the end.
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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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You need a secondary lint trap that is installed in the laundry room. It is mounted at eye level some you can see in the door to clean it out. I know you can find it locally it you can see one. Here is an example of one. Here is a link that might be useful: Secondary lint trap catcher
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I have the same set up as Mcmann, with the vent line in the crawl space. DD put in a solid metal line, so that's good, but my dryer lint trap is just inside the door of the dryer (not in the door) and the filter pushes down into the cavity and I can see that there is still some lint in there. It sounds like a good stiff lint brush will do wonders. I'm also interested in something that attaches to the vacuum, but I think it will have to be flexable to get into the space. Thanks for all the quick responses, I'm headed downstate (2 hours south) to where a lot of stores are on Thursday and will check out some stuff, plus do a little more online looking. Kathy G in MI
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I asked how it was vented because that can effect drying time plus best way to clean. And if you have a bird guard over the vent outside, it can clog and you can remove it and clean it. Also add one or two old dry towels to your wet load. Helps them to dry faster. A blower( leaf) is the best way to clean out the vent pipe.
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dadoes
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Seems you'll need to somehow get to the duct outlet.

Dryer exhausts *always* need cleaning. It's very bad design/planning to construct a system that's inaccessible.
a1an
7 years ago
Assuming your duct is nice and sealed....all joints got some mastic on them....you're going to need to ~ break open~ the joint anyhow. Maybe create a T in the line, run the dryer and find a way to seal the T but just a small hole for the ROD. The Rod will flex with the T.....and will still work. You will still get some level of buildup on the vent cap, but at least the blower is keeping those flaps open as you clean the line

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