Why is My Dryer Vent Leaking?

Dryers are fabulous pieces of technology, seeming to easily remove moisture from recently washed clothing and transferring it outside your home where it magically evaporates. But because they work with water, dryers may experience leaks that can result in water damage throughout your Arvada home. You may be able to fix minor issues on your own, or even prevent future leaks if you know what to look for, but some problems require the attention of air duct cleaning professionals.

As just about anyone will tell you, dryers are a handy and useful appliance to use when you have wet clothing or other damp items in your home. Unfortunately, they may leak water occasionally, resulting in items not dried properly and possibly even puddles on the laundry room floor. If you notice your water is leaking, we always recommend disabling its power from the source – at the circuit box before you or anyone else tries to fix the problem.

The usual suspects behind a leaking dryer vent may be condensation, a bad condenser pump, or a problem with ventilation exhaust. There could be other problems, too, so read on for more information.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH HAZARDS?

If you live in Arvada or the Greater Denver area and have a leaking dryer vent, there could be many health hazards to contend with. Condensation and water leakage inside your residence are a breeding ground for mildew and mold. This could eventually result in respiratory illness or more serious health conditions. Depending on whether you have a gas or electric dryer, you may also be exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning, yet another serious health risk to be aware of. We encourage all homeowners to get their dryer vents inspected and cleaned each year, as leaking vents are bad for your health and those of your loved ones, pets, and visitors.

WHY IS MY DRYER VENT LEAKING?

If your dryer vent is leaking, that means mold and mildew could eventually grow around your home and spread all through the air. Besides the obvious health risks, heavy leaks could result in water damage and dryer duct cleaning and expensive, whole-house repairs. Educating homeowners to help them make informed decisions is one of the things we do best, but we also encourage you to not overestimate your “do it yourself” prowess and deduction skills. Leave that to the professionals, but always be aware of potential causes, which may include any of the following:

A blocked vent

A blocked vent is a widespread cause of dryer vent leaks. Fabric and errant lint can accumulate in the vent over time. This can block the pipe, restricting the flow of air. This means that hot, moist air normally expelled by the dryer has nowhere to go. As a result, it may condense and lead to a water leak. To remedy this problem, use a brush to clean the dryer vent pipe to remove all built-up lint. This will make it easier for hot air to be expelled. But how do you diagnose this issue? If you can access the exterior vent, you can examine it for possible blockages by holding your hand up to the vent to determine the flow of air. If the dryer is running and you can hardly feel the airflow, you've got a problem. We recommend dryer vent cleaning at least once a year to avoid blockages.

Condensation

During certain months of each year and in colder Arvada-area climates, warm air flows can result in condensation. The best way to avoid this is to make sure your dryer vents are properly insulated to prevent condensation. Like flowing water, condensation will always find a way out – sometimes as leaks from your dryer vent. A lack of insulation around the dryer exhaust duct, or insulations with rips, can also result in ice forming because of improper installation. This is common in colder locations, where the warm air expelled from the dryer is more likely to be disturbed by chillier air from outside. Ventilation ducts without proper insulation in other areas, such as a basement or lower level, can also cause this problem. Again, proper insulation is the best way to keep condensation away from dryer vents.

Exterior vent opening has a broken flapper

Dryer vent ductwork normally snakes through your home to the outside, where the air is expelled via flaps or an exhaust grate. If everything is working as designed, the flapper opens when the air from the dryer reaches it. When the dryer is off or not being used, the flapper must remain securely closed. If it’s not shutting as it should, the opening can let in snow, rainwater, or frost from the outside, which can then make its way inside and cause a leaking dryer vent. It’s also possible the flapper isn’t blocked but just doesn’t work anymore; in this case, it needs to be replaced.

CALL STEVE’S AIR DUCT CLEANING

After more than 40 years in the business in Arvada and throughout metro Denver, we’ve seen just about everything you can imagine with leaking dryer vents and air ducts including condensation problems and blocked vents. Some of these problems can be fixed by the homeowner, but if you don’t know where to begin, it’s best to call an experienced dryer vent cleaning professional to do the job right the first time. If you’re a business owner or homeowner with leaking dryer vents, contact our dryer vent cleaners online or call 720-419-7792 for more information.