We are aware of how awesome stacked dryers and washers look standing there in your laundry room and it might as well be an excellent solution to issues relating to the availability of space. Despite all its aesthetics and usefulness, it might be the reason for your worries as problems and issues start emerging.
These issues are common among dryers that are raised off the ground, but once you’ve installed one, you may need to stay alert to all these issues so you can anticipate them and act accordingly to prevent them.
Let’s get right into the most common stackable dryer vent problems and how you can fix them.
Installing Vent for Stackable Dryers
Apparently, installing the vent for stackable dryers isn’t as complex as one might imagine. It mostly revolves around taking the right decisions when installing or drilling holes.
Since these vents are required to be installed higher than usual, their venting options could be limited. Let’s get right into how you can install a dryer vent for a stackable dryer.
Step 1 – Measure
Before you install any dryer vent, taking measurements will always be the primary step. If you’re willing to make things right, you might as well measure the distance from the ground, the distance from the duct to the dryer, and the distance from the vent outlet to the exhaust outlet.
Step 2 – Installing the Vent
Dryer vents have numerous options but it depends on your building. To put things into a clearer perspective, stackable dryers usually have their own little pocket that helps them stay compact while staying out of the way of other appliances.
Behind these pockets, you will find a dryer vent already installed. If it has not been installed, you can drill the necessary holes and place a dryer vent box or a hose there like you would any other dryer but according to the measurements you had taken earlier.
Step 3 – Secure the Connections and Connect the Dryer
Once the vent is in place, start by securing the connections. You can do this by tightening the clamps around the hoses, and tightening screws wherever necessary. Connect the dryer vent hose to the dryer outlet and secure the connections using metal clamps.
Step 4 – Connect the Dryer
Stackable dryers are usually taller and they cut out access to vents or other controls behind them. Since you will be putting them in place, make sure you have connected all necessary connections, securing them with clamps wherever possible.
Once you push your stackable washer and dryer into that spot, removing them can be difficult if there are loose connections. Once everything is in check, push the back of the stackable dryer into the wall, hiding the vents from plain sight.
Stackable Dryer Vent Maintenance Tips
Like normal dryers, stacked dryers require vents for exhaust, and often, these vents can clog up, or have mechanical issues. Apart from normally installed dryer vents, stacked dryer vents have different methods of installation that puts them on a higher elevation. We will focus on these occurring issues and how professionals resolve them.
Mildew
It’s a common problem that mildew grows within the washer drum.
The reason behind this problem is that the stacked washer is usually a front load dryer and its door is tightly sealed to avoid water leakage from the front aperture.
So, after laundry, the drum is usually wet for a long time when you close the door; that’s why it is subject to mold.
The solution to this problem is to keep the washer-dryer door open for long periods. When you keep the hatch open, it allows airflow which dries the moisture or wetness inside the drum. In turn, it also helps in avoiding the growth of molds and mildew.
Low-Grade Detergent Usage
Stacked dryer vents are often subjected to residual deposits from low-grade detergents as it has been previously observed that front-loading washers use far less water than usual washers. The low-grade detergents require large quantities of water to rinse them entirely and this can result in residual detergent either causing damage to your clothes or your dryer vent.
To counter this issue, the use of High-Efficiency detergents is recommended by experts for all sorts of front-loading washers. High-Efficiency (HE) detergent is specifically formulated for high-efficiency machines that use less water.
Because HE detergents have the potential to clean in less water, stackable washer dryers are among the high-efficiency machines; High-efficiency detergents keep the machine’s efficiency in check and avoid stackable dryer vent problems.
Use Smaller Laundry Loads
Commonly, people often try to jam larger laundry loads in their stackable washer dryer than the recommended amount. Overloading dryers can cause technical problems. Because it affects the efficiency and power of machines.
Because the set pair appliances are a tad bit complicated and a single issue can impact the functioning of the whole machine, including the dryer vent.
Advisably, change your habits of running greater loads by setting your expectations to smaller laundry loads to ensure the smooth functioning of your dryer.
Lint Screen Blockage
Lint is probably the most annoying hindrance to dryers and dryer vents.
They are nearly inescapable and their effects can only be diminished by lint traps, which in turn, also need cleaning since they can cause blockages too. Clean the lint trap in paired set appliances after taking out the laundry from the dryer.
Since this lint clogging could cause a fire hazard in the cabinet as well, it is advised to pay attention to this at all times and have the lint cleared periodically.
Clean the Stackable Dryer Vent Monthly
Ideally, it is recommended to clean the stackable dryer vent monthly. The reason is that, in stacked machines, the mess in one unit can cause maintenance problems in the other unit.
For this reason, you must clean and wash each reachable nook and point monthly with the help of a toothbrush, cloth, vinegar, etc., by using the usual sponges and water.
Inspect the Fill Hoses Yearly
Your stackable washer dryer’s water lines and fill hoses should be inspected yearly. It would help you confirm whether they are in a good position, damaged, or have leakage. Moreover, the dirty hoses should also be cleaned to remove the clogs. Additionally, check the drain line too.
Placement of the Dryer Vent Tube
Most of the dryer vent problems occur due to ducting the vent in a vertically up position. Therefore, the best option is a shorter vent tube which will lower the stackable dryer vent problems. Moreover, place the dryer vent tube at an optimal place where it would not clash with other lines such as electrical, gas, and other connection lines.
However, the installation heights for the stacked washer and dryer could be followed. It must be 27 inches wide, 75 inches tall, and 30-32 inches deep. If you have a compact appliance, then it must be 24 inches in width, 22-34 inches tall as per the appliance unit, and 22-24 inches deep.
However, the recommended installation guide for high-capacity washer and dryer machines with front-loading is 27 inches in width, 35-42 inches tall as per the appliance unit, and 32-34 inches deep.
FAQs
Q1) Do Stackable Washers And Dryers Need a Vent?
A vent is usually required for stackable washers and dryers. Even though they are small and conserve space, the majority of them are still intended to vent to the outside. If you live somewhere where venting laundry isn’t possible, such as an apartment. Therefore, you still think about modern appliances. Because the ventless models would make it possible and feasible to use a dryer.
However, there are several options, but they take a long time to dry your items. Warm air is condensed into water, which is then routed through a reservoir before being evacuated. It’s a unique type of dryer, so make sure you get the proper one. Any normal dryer cannot be made ventless. They’re also smaller and more compact, but they’re not the most practical option for a large family.
Q2) How often Should a Dryer Vent be Cleaned Out?
Here are a few indicators that help you to indicate that your dryer vent duct needs to be cleaned and inspected. Let’s have a look at those signs:
- Clothes that are taking longer to dry than normal.
- There is a burning odor on the clothing or when using the dryer.
- When the dryer is on, it feels like the laundry area is getting too hot.
- The dryer appears to be overheating.
- The dryer vent flap isn’t fully opening.
- Debris or lint has built up around the dryer line.
Even if there are no warning indicators, you should examine the vent at least once a year. This aids in the effective operation and ventilation of your equipment. It also conserves electricity and lowers the chance of a fire. And, of course, it aids in the prevention of issues before they destroy your stackable dryer vent or require costly repair.
Conclusion
If you are planning to get yourself a stackable dryer vent, or already own one, you know it’s not as complex as people make it seem. The maintenance is perhaps the difficult part as it is the same with almost all dryer vents. Dryer vents need maintenance to function at their peak while staving off hazards.
If you’re unsure about having your dryer vents cleaned thoroughly, you could either do it yourself or have a professional handle it with all the necessary tools, giving your dryer vents the safest cleaning possible.
