Just like any other home appliance, your dryer may develop problems at some point. One of the parts of a dryer that are most susceptible to damages is the vent. If you don’t repair your dryer’s vent immediately, it will later lead to severe other problems. Unfortunately, the task of repairing a dryer vent is not always as easy as you think.
Therefore, you should hire a professional dryer technician to repair your damaged vent. This article shows you how multifaceted the process of repairing a dryer vent is.
How to Repair a Dryer Vent
Ensure You Have All the Supplies
Before you start repairing your dryer vent, you need to gather all the necessary supplies. These supplies will help you complete each step in the repair process. Thankfully, the list of the supplies you need isn’t long, and you just need to have a screwdriver, washcloth, duct tape, plumbing snake, and a trash can.
Unplug and Pull Back the Dryer
Always unplug your dryer from the wall outlet before you start working on it. That way, you won’t damage the cord or get electrocuted while repairing the vent. Then, pull back the dryer to access the flex vent behind the dryer. Sometimes you have to climb over your dryer to access the vent.
Disconnect the Dryer Vent Hose
Disconnect the flex vent behind your dryer. Several metal clamps have to be undone with a screwdriver. You will also need to remove the aluminum tape behind the drye, and youu can either peel it off or cut it with a knife.
Repair Crumpled Flex Metal Dryer Vent
If your vent is made of flexible metal (instead of foil type), and it’s crushed, you should just bend it back into shape. And if the vent has a hole or rip, use aluminum tape to cover it. A duct tape is the best because it’s meant for high heat conditions like a dryer vent repair.
Repair ‘Foil Type’ Dryer Vent Hose
If your vent is made of aluminum foil, which is more flexible than metal, and it has warped or damaged metal wires, or it’s ripped with openings and tears, you should repair it with aluminum foil tape. And if the metal wires are completely damaged, you should just replace the vent.
Clean Your Dryer Vent If Necessary
Once you’ve successfully repaired your dryer vent, you should clean it before re-installing it. You can either use the available dryer vent cleaning tools or a piece of cloth to clean your vent.
Reconnect Your Dryer Duct
After repairing the vent, reconnect it to the dryer. Use adjustable metal clamps and aluminum foil tape to attach the vent to the duct.
Push Back the Dryer
After reconnecting your dryer vent, push back the dryer and plug it back into the wall outlet.