Buying an older home may be something you prefer as a result of taste, or your budget may be constrained and so you intend doing a lot of repairs and renovations yourself. Either way, eventually you are likely to encounter an old-style dryer vent and there are some common issues you will encounter.
The most common issue is a clogged vent with accumulations of dust, lint and debris which will block the vent and lead to dangerous overheating. Your dryer may switch itself off spontaneously which is due to the thermostat kicking in, however older dryer models may not have one which can lead to a fire risk. You can deal with this by purchasing a vent cleaning kit which is usually a brush with an extending arm. Inserting this into the vent and brushing out the dust and debris. If you are facing a really stubborn vent problem, grab a leaf blower and use that to blow out the debris.
Old dryer vents also frequently allow for cold air to enter your home, but this is not the only thing you have to worry about. They also provide a means of entry to your home for rodents and insect infestation. Older homes have experienced settling and it is common to find gaps appearing between the vent and surrounding external wall. You can tackle this easily enough with a caulking gun and an exterior sealant affixed around the edges of the vent.
The dryer hose may also have become worn and damaged, and it is not uncommon to find it has become knotted or has collected kinks. This allows for dust and moisture to collect within it and this can lead to mildew as well as ineffective venting, which leads back to the overheating and fire hazard issue. Usually the best course of action is simply to replace the hose entirely – it is cheap to buy and simple to fit, so save yourself time and effort and invest in a few dollars in a new hose.
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