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Dryer vent 101: What the duct actually does
Every load sends a surprising amount of water out as vapor, along with the fibers your lint screen didn't catch. The dryer vent carries all of it outside. When airflow is good, clothes dry quickly and the dryer runs cooler. When the vent is narrowed by lint, crushed behind the machine or blocked at the exterior cover, heat and moisture back up. Cycles run longer, and lint sits close to a heat source.
| Part | Its job | What usually goes wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Transition hose | Connects the dryer to the wall | Gets crushed or kinked when the dryer is pushed back |
| Main duct run | Carries exhaust through walls, floors or attic | Lint buildup, loose joints, sagging sections |
| Elbows | Turn the run toward the exit | Lint collects at each bend |
| Exterior cover or roof termination | Lets air out and keeps pests and weather out | Stuck flaps, lint mats, nests |
Signs your dryer vents need attention
Watch for these
- Normal loads need a second cycle to dry
- The dryer or laundry room gets unusually hot or humid
- A burning or scorched smell while the dryer runs
- The outside flap barely opens when the dryer is on
- Lint around the exterior cover or behind the dryer
- Birds or nesting material at the vent exit
Smell something burning?
Turn the dryer off and don't run it again until the vent has been checked. If there's smoke or flame, get out and call emergency services. For the vent itself, emergency calls are accepted and we're available 24 hours, Sunday through Friday.
Dryer vent work we handle
From a routine cleaning to rebuilding a run, we do the work:
- Dryer vent cleaning, lint removal and blockage removal
- Dryer vent inspection and airflow testing
- Roof dryer vent cleaning
- Dryer vent repair, replacement, rerouting and relocation
- Dryer vent cover replacement
- Dryer vent cleaning for rentals and property managers
If you're not sure what's inside the duct, start with our dryer vent camera inspection service. To learn how the dryer exhaust differs from your heating ducts, read how air duct dryer vent cleaning works. Landlords and businesses can see how commercial dryer vent cleaning works.
When you compare dryer vent companies in Connecticut, ask what they do beyond running a brush through the duct. Do they check airflow, look at the exterior exit, and tell you plainly what they found? Those answers tell you more than any sales pitch.
What the visit covers
A restricted vent makes the dryer run longer and wear out sooner. Birds and debris can block the outside hood completely.
Check the run
The connector, wall duct and outside hood are looked at, and airflow is checked.
Clean
Rotary brushes and air move lint out of the whole run.
Clear the hood
The outside termination is cleaned and its flap checked.
Re-test
Airflow is checked again and the dryer is reconnected.
Before the technician arrives
- Make sure the outside vent hood can be reached.
- Clear space around the dryer so it can be pulled out.
- If the dryer isn't overheating or smelling of burning, you can run an empty load first to compare airflow before and after.
Checked on every visit
- Crushed or kinked sections
- Connector behind the dryer
- Vent length and number of bends
- Airflow at the outside hood
- Outside hood, flap and screen
- Joints and foil tape
Burning smell?
If you smell burning while the dryer runs, turn it off and unplug it until the vent is checked.
Signs it's time for dryer vent cleaning
- Clothes take two cycles to dry
- A burning smell when the dryer runs
- Lint around the outside vent hood or behind the dryer
- The dryer or laundry room gets very hot
- The outside flap barely opens when the dryer is on
