A clogged Dryer vent Cleaning Houston is a common issue that ranges from mild to severe depending on the severity of the clog and how long it has been driven. The most common causes of a clogged dryer vent are lint build-up, rodents and cockroaches nesting in the vent, and debris getting pushed up by laundry while drying.

To unclog a dryer vent you will need clean clothes, paper towels or rags, dish soap, baking soda, or vinegar. However, some cleaners such as Drano should not be used because they can corrode metal ducts if left in contact for too long. So use common sense when deciding to clean the vent with commercial or homemade cleaners.

If you can see that there is something blocking your dryer vent this is probably an animal, so it will be best to call a professional if there are multiple animals.

Always wear safety equipment before cleaning any type of duct system! Cleaning a dryer vent will cause some airflow, so wear dust masks, vacuums, and any other gear that you may need to get into the pipe.

Remove all lint from your clothing and wipe it down with paper towels or rags. Use one layer of paper towels on top of the lint to get at the bottom of the pile. Then remove the towels and lay a new layer of paper towels on top. Repeat this process until you have reached the bottom of your pile.

If you have a lot of lint, there may be a loose animal or something else in your dryer vent. In this case, you can dislodge whatever is stopping your clothes from drying by stuffing a rag soaked in Drano, baking soda or vinegar into the pipe and pulling it out as far as it will go. Cleaning with chemicals could cause damage to your dryer vents, so only use it if absolutely necessary.

Buff out any holes that may be forming because of dirt or lint blocking them up. If the dryer vent was never cleaned before, this may be particularly necessary.

Hold up a white piece of paper to your vent, turn on the dryer and open the vent quickly. If you see your clothes stop moving as soon as they enter your tubing, it is obstructed. If not, take out the clog and clean out your dryer vent with soap or baking soda. Then check to see if there is any more lint inside the tube again by holding up a piece of white paper.

until you don’t see any more lint on the other side of the tube when you hold up a white piece of paper. Put all of the paper towels or rags back into the lint trap after you are done cleaning. If your vent is really clogged and you have removed most of the lint and debris, use a vacuum cleaner to suck out the rest of it. This is the reason why it is important to clean out your dryer vent on a regular basis.

If there are significant amounts of lint at the bottom of the tube you can open up some type of port with an adapter, hose, or even some duct tape to create more airflow. Sometimes the vacuum cleaner will suck it all out instead, so some people use their dryer vent as a vacuum cleaner. You can also purchase some vents that are specially designed for this at your local hardware store. Whether using a vacuum or using special vents, make sure you do not force too hard and damage the tube and surrounding area.

If you notice that your dryer is taking longer to dry clothes you could be dealing with a clog in the dryer itself. If this is the case, it will be best to call a technician and have them come out and look at it. Otherwise, you can try to fix it yourself:

Drain the water from your dryer before using it. If the problem is not resolved after draining the water, there may be something stuck inside of your ventilation system which needs special attention. This could be anything from small objects to large objects, so you will need to take off whatever is stuck so it can be cleaned out.