Dryer vents are heavily reliant on the hose to expel the harmful exhaust that could otherwise contaminate homes. Your dryer vent hose could be subjected to wear and tear over time and its functionality could drop rapidly, raising an alarm for immediate repairs.
If left unattended, damaged dryer vent hoses can result in a plethora of problems that can lead to a chain of reactions that could prove to be fatal. Fixing your dryer vent hose and getting it back to functioning properly should be your prime concern.
Here is a detailed guide on what you should do if your dryer vent hose is damaged and would repairing it is feasible?. Let’s jump straight in.
Pre-requisite for Repairing Vent Hose
Inspect for Signs of Hose Damage
Damaged Dryer vent hoses can contribute to higher electricity bills and hence it is important to inspect them frequently. Unfortunately, most people don’t inspect their dryer vent hoses until it’s too late. Periodic inspection and maintenance can go a long way in extending the life of your dryer and ensuring your overall safety.
As a general rule, you should inspect your dryer vent hose for signs of damage before things get out of hand.
Here are some obvious red flags which can signify whether your dryer vent hose is faulty and requires urgent repair.
- Your clothes are taking longer than usual to dry and when they do, they are not cozy or warm. A damaged vent will restrict the proper flow of hot air from the dryer. When this happens, your dryer will struggle to function correctly, which can lead to a longer dryer cycle. Even worse, your clothes will still feel damp even after staying in the dryer for more extended periods.
- The external dryer surface is too hot to touch. In addition, your clothes may also feel hot instead of soft and warm, which can signify hot air buildup inside the vent.
- Typically, a functional vent hose expels hot air from the dryer and via the connection on the wall to the outside. If faulty, you’ll notice an accumulation of moisture on surfaces in the laundry room or around the house. With time, this can provide a suitable environment for mold to thrive which can impact the indoor air quality.
- A burning odor or smell is another sign that all is not well with your dryer vent hose. As you already know, lint can cause fire and cause property damage, and loss of life.
Should You Repair Damaged Dryer Vent Hose?
Once you’ve detected an anomaly that indicates the damage to your dryer vent hose, immediate action is required. However, a controversial question hangs in the air –
Can you really repair a dryer vent hose?
The straight answer is, yes you can. You could repair a duct with aluminum foil and tape, but how effective is it in actuality?
Expert opinion on dryer vent duct repair has always been negative. A duct tube is often subjected to a steady airflow that requires structural integrity. A repaired dryer vent hose can have weak sides that, even after repairs, might rupture. As a result, professionals have always weighed in their opinion to replace the dryer vent hose entirely.
Being the responsible experts, we want to ensure your safety and have provided a detailed guide on how you can replace a dryer vent.
Steps of Repairing Dryer Vent Hose
Gather Supplies
Before proceeding with the dryer vent hose replacement procedure, make sure you have sufficient experience using tools or doing your own handiwork, as it will help in avoiding injuries while working.
Before kickstarting the dryer vent hose repair, you must have your supplies ready. For this project, you need;
- A new dryer vent hose.
- Screwdriver.
- Foil duct tape.
- Dryer vent brush.
We recommend the flexible iPower Dryer Vent Hose for the dryer vent hose because you can use it to extend your machine easily. Unlike the traditional hoses, this pipe is convenient, so installation is easy since you only need screws and duct tape.
Furthermore, it’s made of aluminum material for long-lasting durability. For maximum safety, the hose is made of fireproof material and hence a good choice for venting your dryer.
We recommend the Holikme vent cleaner kit for the dryer vent brush because the brush is long and can easily navigate the dryer vent opening. Also, it’s long and can reach the lint further inside.
Replacing the Hose
Disassemble the vent and hose
The first step is to detach the vent hose from the dryer. But, before you do, pull the dryer from the wall to a position where you can work comfortably. Next, unplug from the electrical outlet for your overall safety.
Using the screwdriver, detach the clamp from the dryer. You can start by loosening the screws that hold the hose clamp and subsequently open the clamp.
You need to pay attention and inspect if there is lint inside. Put the hose aside, and using a damp microfiber cloth, wipe the dryer opening. You can also use a soft lint brush to get rid of the lint.
If there are minor damages –
You can inspect the hose to check for splits or bents. If the dryer hose end is loose, tighten the bolts until it’s firmly held on the connection. If it’s clogged with lint, you’ll need to clean it thoroughly. If there are bends on the hose or it’s crumbled, straighten it and keep it in its rightful position.
If the vent hose is torn or has taken substantial damage, you need to take the necessary action and replace it.
Installing New Dryer Vent Hose
After ascertaining that the vent is damaged, the next recommended step is to replace it.
detach the dryer vent hose from the dryer opening and wall connection.
Because you already removed the screws from the clamp in the previous step, now remove the aluminum foil that holds the hose opening on from each side of the vent connection.
After cleaning the openings, fit the new dryer vent hose over the machine aperture. Next, seal with aluminum tape and attach the clamp with screws.
Ensure it’s tight enough so that there’s no room for air to escape.
Now, cut the dryer hose to about six inches or longer, depending on the distance between the machine and the wall. Fit the hose over the duct opening on the wall. Then, seal with an aluminum foil and attach the clamp. Ensure that it is properly airtight for dryer efficiency.
Next, plug the dryer into an electric outlet and check whether the new vent works correctly. You can do this by inspecting the airflow from the outside vent.
Lastly, return the dryer to its position and not press it on the wall.
Conclusion
Considering everything, repairing your dryer vent hose is not recommended by professionals and the best option is to replace it. However, you need to follow the steps by inspecting the old hose for signs of minor damage. If the hose is bent, you can straighten and tighten the clamps.
In addition, if it’s clogged, you need to clean it so that there are no obstructions to hot air from the dryer. Ultimately, a damaged hose will require replacing with a new one. Hopefully, you can ensure the proper functioning of your dryer using these recommended professional methods.
