DRYER VENT MAINTENANCE—

A local acquaintance recently suffered a very damaging home fire caused by a lint-filled and overheating dryer vent. That news got my attention.

The fix likely is quite simple—as mine was. I was able to slide my washer and dryer out from the wall and thread my lanky and aging bones over the appliances, under the upper, wall cabinets and collapse myself into a working position.

My installation had a “U” shaped piece of flexible, metal dryer vent pipe connecting the dryer’s vent outlet to the vent pipe that went through my floor and on outside. Loosening the screws popped the pipe clamps open and I removed the “U”.

Actually, it was surprisingly clean after 6 to 8 years of inattention. (I pay close attention to cleaning the dryer’s interior filter with each operation.) Nevertheless, I vacuumed the dryer outlet and the floor vent pipe thoroughly. While I was at it, I removed the dryer back panel and vacuumed inside there as well.

I had the good fortune of being able to reinstall the dryer vent without the “U” shaped pipe; thus eliminating a major potential for clogging in the future. On the next decent day I will remove and clean the below-floor vent pipe to further improve my peace of mind.

This is one of those out-of-sight/out-of-mind topics that can cause grief if left unattended.

End of sermon.