SANTA ROSA — A common issue when it comes to home appliances is a reduction in dryer efficiency. In addition to longer drying times, this issue is often accompanied by overheating of the dryer unit. In many cases, these symptoms can be linked to a problem with the dryer vent.
There are a couple of possible causes of a dryer vent issue. One is when the line that goes from the dryer to the home’s exterior becomes constricted. If your dryer gets pushed back against the wall, it can cause the line to become crimped and/or crushed, which will restrict air flow and cause the unit to overheat and underperform—particularly if the line is made of pliable material like Mylar or plastic. If you’re experiencing efficiency issues with your dryer, check behind the unit to make sure the line isn’t constricted. If visibility is an issue, use a long-handled mirror to get a better view.
Another possible cause is when the dryer vent becomes obstructed from the outside. Whether it’s vegetation growth, an animal or insect nest, or a child’s toy, it’s easy for something to get into the vent and block air flow. For birds in particular, a dryer vent is like a rent-free condo with central heating, which makes for a great winter home. As cute as this may sound, the air flow obstruction can reduce your drier’s efficiency and even pose a potential fire hazard, so be sure to intermittently check this area and remove any foreign objects.

Troubleshooting Dryer Vent Issues

Learn how to effectively troubleshoot common dryer vent issues with these expert tips. Keep your dryer running safely and efficiently.

Troubleshooting Dryer Vent Issues by Andy Gatley

by Andy Gatley, a Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Video: Troubleshooting Dryer Vent Issues


if your dryer is dirty or doesn't seem
to be functioning properly it may be due
to a problem with your dryer vent today
we're in Santa Rosa with diamond
certified expert contributor Andy gatley
of best Chimney Sweep to learn more hi
I'm Andrew gatley with best Chimney
Sweep um a couple questions different
questions that customers have asked me
over the years uh one is how many licks
does it take to get to the center of her
Tootsie
Pop I don't
know um the other one is with their
dryer vents uh or their drier it's
taking too long the unit is overheating
and either a I just recently had it
clean so it shouldn't really be dirty or
um the the line is so short I've never
had any issues with it in the past um so
a couple things that that could be going
on um one the line that goes from the
unit itself to the wall sometimes the
unit will get pushed
back and Crush then you can't you know
no air flow going through um especially
if you have those either the the the
myar or those plastic runs they have a
tendency to crimp and be problematic so
that will shut that off uh and a good
way to check that is you know just if
you either take a peek in the back and
if you can't then a good old mirror a
flashlight check in the back and go from
there not only do you want to check on
the inside for for the crimp lines and
whatnot but you also want to check on
the outside because what can happen is
if you've got plants or bushes somebody
walks by a dog hits it or whatever you
got this and now you got this and that
will block it off um something else I
find from time to time or kids love to
um stash toys and things like that in
here um so that will definitely block
them off um and then of course the other
thing when these things are up much
higher a lot of times birds get in there
and they'll put their nest right here uh
which is great for them it's a rentree
condo with heat during the winter but
not so good for you and again can cause
a problem with um drying time and and
fire
hazard to learn more from local top
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