Clogged Dryer Vent

This may apply to all townhouse owners, but I own a Miller & Smith single-car garage townhouse in SouthernWalk (model is Newberry Street, I think?).

I've had issues with my dryer for a while, taking forever to dry clothes. After some quick inspection, it was clear that the dryer vents out through the roof - not a smart decision, in my non-carpenter's opinion, but that's where it is nonetheless. I went as far as taping a duster to the end of a 10' PVC pipe, to help bring some of the clogged lint down. It worked, kinda.

About a week ago, with the assistance of my father-in-law, we were attempting everything possible to clean out the vent pipes. We were up in the attic, deattached the pipe near the attic floor, and cleaned a TON of lint out. Definitely something was amiss.

So, I jumped up on the rafters and deattached the pipe from the connector right at the roof line (thankfully didn't have to unattach anything from the roof- that would have concerned me). That allowed me to stick my hand up to where the pipe vents out on top of the roof.

Imagine my surprise when I found the entire screen clogged with hard, crusty lint. There was definitely no airflow, which explains the whole dryer not working thing. This wasn't a normal dryer vent, with the flaps that only open when there's airflow. Instead, it was a screen, with very small, horizontal openings, and apparently it wasn't big enough for some excess lint to get through. Months and months of air pressure and more lint just clogged it up, causing it to cake on.

So, I'm basically writing this to alert folks that you may want to check your pipes/vent to make sure everything is clear, especially if your dryer is not working well. Feel free to ask any questions....

Below is a picture of the pipe leading to the roof. It's the pipe on the left, surrounded by the black wrapped insulation.

 

I wonder if your vent even meets code. I know you are allowed just a few bends, can't remember how many and you are allowed only a certain distance again I don't remember how long. I wonder about the screen, I wonder if that is a code violation. I would call the Loudoun County about your situation.

Lee J Buividas