Did you know? The use of different materials is common for making dryer vent pipes or vent ducts. Although most dryer ducts are round, around 4 inches in diameter, they are rigid. However, They’re usually for other ducts. Perhaps, it is most suitable for rigid dryer duct. Regrettably, building codes prohibit vinyl ducts and most flexible ducts.
Precautionary Tip:
Make sure that the duct is safe for installation. Thus, Get one that’s certified by a testing laboratory, such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories). Additionally, One thing to look for is “listed” or “L and L ” marked ducts precisely. They comply with most building codes.
Types of Dryer Ducts:
According to HVAC Cleaning Duluth GA, the most common types of rigid dryer duct, made of different materials are as follows:
- Aluminum Foil Ductwork
- Metal Semi-Rigid Duct
- Slim Duct
- Metal Rigid Duct
- Ductwork in Plastic or Vinyl
What Exactly is a Rigid Metal Duct?
Firstmost, A rigid metal duct is the only suitable duct for concealed installations. Usually, a part of these ducts runs inside walls, floors, or areas where ductwork isn’t visible. However, You’ll find the rigid metal duct in aluminum and galvanized steel types. The reason for that is that they’re very smooth on the inside, allowing air to flow through without much friction.Thus, It allows little to no amount of lint to get stuck in there.Therefore, rigid ducts can’t bend, often elbow fittings are added, allowing ducts to turn 45 or 90 degrees. Hence,This curve at joints depends on the type of elbow used.
Safety Precaution
Using metal tapes is the best way to secure the joints. However, Air Duct Repair and Replacement Duluth services say that screws mostly may catch lint. In contrast, regular plastic duct tape isn’t a great option as they dry out or deteriorate over time.
Keeping the rigid dryer vent clean
Today, most new dryer models have a filter to catch lint as it tumbles inside. However, it can’t catch them all. Inevitably, some will get stuck inside ductwork for the dryer. Therefore, according to HVAC Cleaning Duluth GA services, cleaning vents regularly is the basis for proper maintenance of the dryer.
Even for your safety, it’s critical to clean your rigid dryer duct. Yet, One stats from the US Fire Administration states clothes dryers start more than 2,900 home fires each year. Hence, It’s been made aware that lint buildup is the most common cause of these fires.
What is Lint?
Small particles of cloth and fiber, dirt, pet hairband dander make up lint in ducts. However,These particles get loose from the laundry during the wash and rinse cycle by rough waters. Therefore, If the lint accumulation obstructs the airflow, It will cause overheating. Thus, It can be the reason for lint-catching fires.
Lint buildup is the easiest, as they may have any of the following symptoms:
- Clothes take longer to dry or won’t dry
- Makes it hotter than usual, especially at the end of the drying cycle
- Rise of the temperature of the dryer
- Normal working of exhaust flapper doesn’t open as it should
- The laundry room becomes very humid during the drying cycle
Cleaning Dryer Vents and Ductwork at Home
To complete the task properly, you will require the following tools:
- Long-hose vacuum attachment
- Dryer vent brush kit
- Screwdrivers
- UL-listed metal foil duct tape
Today, special brushes are a thing required for thorough dryer vent cleaning.Therefore, Vacuum attachments alone are ineffective here. The reason is that they don’t agitate the lint to remove it from the duct walls. However, It could damage the dryer’s lint filter’s reputation. That is why Air Duct Repair and Replacement Duluth services recommend keeping the dryer lint’s filter clean.
Instructions in Steps
Remove the lint trap net filter and clean it carefully.
Use a long, skinny hose attachment for a vacuum and clean lint trap and housing. Clean it again with the brush kit’s long flexible brush, extending the brush to the bottom of the cavity. Gently twist the brush and pull it out to remove clumps of lint. Vacuum the brush bristles and replace the brush in the lint trap housing until no more lint is left.
Unplug the dryer ductwork.
Unplug the dryer’s power cord and turn off the dryer’s gas valve. Furthermore, Unplug the duct joint closest to the dryer and gently pull it away from the wall. Disconnect the remaining exposed rigid dryer duct sections. Remove and discard any tape applied to the sections before.
Carefully vacuumed ductwork.
Follow the instructions with your brush kit to attach the round duct brush head to the flexible fiberglass shaft. In a rotating back and forth motion, insert the brush into each duct section and clean it. Take out the brush and clean the head regularly. Use the same techniques to clean the rest of the duct. Add more sections of the flexible shaft as needed to reach the end of the rigid duct. Repeat until there is no more lint left.
Clear out the Vent Cap.
Check the vent cap at the duct’s outer end to ensure cleanliness and that the flapper door works properly.
Some brush kits connect to a portable drill to spin the brush inside the duct. If you choose this option, run the drill slowly and move the brush through the duct gradually.
Considerations for Safety
Most building codes now prohibit the use of flexible plastic or metal foil ductwork. These were common to connect dryers to outside vents with ease. These vent tubes were popular due to their ease of routing through tight spaces. But their inside surfaces aren’t smooth, making them prone to catching lint. According to HVAC Cleaning Duluth GA services, this possibly results in fewer fires due to overheating.