Humidity levels rise when running your dryer
- If when you run your dryer the humidity levels in the room increase it is because the warn, moist, lint filled air is leaking into the room. If your dryer line is not connected directly from the back of your dryer to the vent or if it is broken or disconnected is allowing the moist exhaust air into the room instead of it going outside. This is not toxic, but it is uncomfortable and can lead to other problems in the room.
Lint in the area around the dryer
- A sign that your dryer duct is open, disconnected or damaged is finding lint in the dryer room. If you wipe the top of the dryer, washer or other objects near the dryer and notice lint build up, that is a sign that the lint and exhaust is being released into the room instead of outside the home. This will continually build up even after being wiped. You may also notice balls of lint around the dryer, especially behind it, that have leaked out from holes or gaps in the line.
Your clothes are not drying
- A clothes dryer relies on proper air flow to cycle hot air through your clothes as they are tumbled and expell damp air through the vent. If your clothes are not getting completely dried with a normal drying cycle, you could have heat escaping through holes, disconnects or tears in the line. Your dryer vent line could also be crushed, bent or clamped behind the dryer, preventing airflow . Lastly this could be a clog in the line that would require a professional cleaning. Obstructed airflow can cause damp air to linger inside the dryer, increasing the time it takes to dry clothes. The more time your dryer takes to dry the clothes, the harder it has to work.
You can see the damaged dryer duct line
- The last sign that you may have a problem with your dryer line is a visual inspection. You may be able to see if the line is damaged by simply looking behind the dryer. You may possibly see a tear, disconnected line or even a crushed or bent line. If you can see damage to the line, it will need to be repaired or replaced. Since the dryer vent line is delicate and can be ripped or torn easily it is important to have a trained professional do the work.
Clothes dryers require proper set ups when installed and not all dryers have that. The most important part of dryer installation is the exhaust duct. This is the tube that carries moist, lint filled air out of the dryer. That ductwork is generally flexible, delicate and easy to damage and often not installed correctly.
It is important to have your dryer vent cleaned at least once a year. It is also important to keep an eye out for any of the signs above that could indicate a problem with your dryer vent line that would require the need for a dryer vent line to be replaced or repaired.
