Water in your dryer vent can be a troubling issue. While it is surprising to see a drying appliance have a wet problem, it is a pretty common issue. The dryer vent works by sucking all the moisture and water from our clothes and venting it outside using a duct.
If the moisture and water are not propelled out properly, wet spots are created in the vent which may later accumulate water and even give birth to molds. To ensure a smooth running of your dryer, this problem needs to be addressed.
Fortunately, the causes behind this nuisance are fairly easy to detect, so if your dryer vent is collecting water take a look at these reasons and solutions.
Let’s get started.
Reasons Why There is Water in Your Dryer VENT
1. Vent Blockage
The dryer vent works by thrusting the moisture and hot air outside using the dryer hose. But along with moisture and hot air, lint, dust, and various other microscopic particles are also vented out. Over time this debris can pile up and get stuck in the nooks and crannies of your dryer vent.
As a result, the moist air that was supposed to be vented gets stuck inside the tube and gradually turns into water droplets as they cool down, accumulating in the vent.
The solution to this is very simple. Inspect your vent duct and clean it to let the humid air pass freely.
Cleaning the lint trap or changing it, also helps. You can always call a cleaning service if you are hesitant to do it yourself.
2. Long and Curvy Duct
If your vent hose is long and curvy then it may hinder a smooth flow of moisture and warm air. The moist air will take a longer time to be vented due to the long duct and gradually it will accumulate as water after cooling down.
Curves in your duct also hamper the airflow and are more prone to catch lint and dust.
This can be solved by changing the length of your vent duct. If your duct is long and has multiple ninety-degree turns then consider changing it. The standard size of your duct should be about 5-10 feet long.
3. Duct With Dips
Another problem that occurs because of a long vent duct is the dips. If your duct is too long, say twenty feet and passes through your attic, it is natural to form dips. Like before, these repetitive dips will slow down the ventilation process of the hot air and slowly create pockets of water droplets in the duct.
The solution? Shorten your vent duct. Try to secure it with straps and tapes to ensure that it stays as straight as possible.
4. Damaged Vent Cover
This is probably the most common culprit behind your wet dryer vent. A damaged vent, one with holes or any crack will allow cold air to seep into the vent which in turn will cool the humid air flowing inside a bit too quickly. This results in water inside your vent.
If the interior of your vent cover is not damaged, don’t forget to check the exterior too. Often times a damaged exterior allows snow, rain, or any type of precipitation inside your dryer vent and hence causing it to store water instead of venting it.
To prevent this from happening, check your vent covers regularly and make sure the flaps are moving freely in one direction. If your vent cover is damaged beyond repair just replace it and you’ll be good.
5. Cold Weather
If you live in a cold climate, this might be the culprit behind your leaky dryer vent. Humid or moist air is quick to deposit its moisture if they come in contact with a cold surface like your vent duct. This can happen if cold air from outside is somehow flowing inside your duct or if the duct is not insulated sufficiently.
The solution to this would be to check the exterior of your vent cover to make sure it is working well. Another thing you can do is insulate your entire vent duct.
6. Defective Vent Flap
Vent flaps are situated at the endpoint of every ventilation. The flaps are designed to open when the moisture and hot air flows through the pipe to be vented outside.
Other than that, the flaps are to be remained shut at all times as open flaps may lead to debris, leaf, snow, rainwater or other particles entering the duct and collecting water inside your pipe as a result. Sometimes the vent flaps can even be blocked or jammed by them.
To avoid this problem make sure your vent flaps are working properly; staying open when moist air passes through and remaining shut at other times. If there is any blockage or the flaps are not functioning properly replace it with a new one.
7. Flex Vent
A flex vent which is generally used to connect your dryer to the wall can cause water to be stored in your vent if you use it inside the wall or a ceiling cavity as flex vents are made up of aluminum and contain lots of ridges.
It is okay if you use it in your basement or behind your dryer to connect it to the wall but if you want to run it through your walls, the flex vent must be a solid metal of good quality as it is ridge-free and helps with the airflow.
If your vent has more ridges it is more likely to catch lint and other particles which will hamper the usual airflow.
Another similar reason for water in your dryer is a crushed flex vent. People often tend to push their dryers as close to the wall as possible, which in turn crushes the flex vent, trapping the air along with lint, dust, etc.
The solution to this would be to install a rigid metal vent, even if it is a little unconventional. Also, try not to push your dryer too close to the wall. A distance of a couple of feet or so is ideal.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. Seven reasons behind water in your dryer vent. This is a problem faced often, especially if you live in a cold country so the solutions mentioned here should help you overcome this easily.
Besides, regular cleaning of your dryer vent is suggested to avoid this problem in the first place. Hopefully, this will be a helpful guide for you to tackle your leaky dryer vent.
