Q:  I clean my lint screen each time I use the dryer.  Doesn’t that keep the lint from going into the vent?

A: No.  Lint is finer than the human hair.  More than 20% gets by the lint screen with each dryer load.

Q: My Dryer is over 10 years old, could the drying just be slowing down because it’s tired and worn out?

A: Dryers are very simple machines in their design and make-up.  There are things that wear out, such as seals in the front and back of the drum, and bearings in the rollers.  With proper maintenance and regular lint removal from venting the dryer should dry in 30- 45 minutes, even when it’s 15-20 years old.

Q: After drying a load of clothes for 90 minutes, I opened the door and water ran off the door and onto the floor.  What’s up with that?

A: Your dryer is not getting proper air flow out of the dryer.  The heating system is working to release moisture from the clothes, but the moisture has no place to go.  It condenses and runs back onto the clothes and off the door and onto the floor.

Q: Are water boxes a good way to eliminate dryer vents from clogging up? 

A: First and most important – NEVER use water boxes with a gas dryer!  You’re dealing with carbon monoxide coming out of the dryer.  Secondly, the water box manufacturers claim that they catch the lint that gets by the lint screen.  This is only true to a marginal extent, and only if you regularly put water in the box.  Even under the best conditions, the box will not catch all the lint.  Some lint will blow out of the box and into the air to be sucked back into the dryer as it pulls air in to heat it up.  In the process of drying clothes over time, this creates the fire hazard.

Q: What types of flexible hose should I use behind the dryer?

A:  There are two types recommended to run between the dryer and the wall.  Either Rigid Aluminum or Flexible (accordion) Aluminum.  Keeping in mind the straightest possible route is best.

Q: In order to close the bi-fold doors to the laundry closet I have to push both the washer & dryer completely against the rear wall.   Is this a problem?

A: Yes! It is a big problem for your dryer.  Rarely do the exhaust pipe from the dryer and the vent pipe in the wall line directly up.  If they are offset even slightly, the flex hose will be smashed between the dryer and the wall cutting off the air flow, extends drying times, overheating and burned out parts will result.

Q:  I was told that because I have a long dryer vent that I should have a booster fan installed.  Should I pay the extra money for a fan?

A:  I wouldn’t!  We’re dealing with damp lint traveling through the vent to the outside.  The booster fan motors are located in the center of the fan housing.  All the damp, sticky lint passes over the fan motor. 

As the lint builds up throughout the system it overheats the motor and burns it out.  With periodic dryer vent cleanings you should not need a booster fan in most circumstances.