Gas Dryer problem

[DebBrown]

I don't know where to start looking for help with this so maybe someone here can point me in the right direction.

We bought a house that came with a 15 yo gas dryer. It heats but took 3-4 hours to dry a load of towels. I cleaned all the lint traps, hoses, etc. but nothing helped. Because of it's age, I opted to buy a new one instead of getting it repaired. New dryer installed today and same problem. Could there be a problem in the gas line? It feels hot so I'm not sure where to look for a solution.

Any help appreciated!

Deb

 

[lynne]

The outside vent may be clogged with lint, birds' nest.... We had the same issue with our new gas dryer and found that there was a bird screen on the roof vent which did not allow the air to escape and our clothes would not dry. Once the screen was removed, we have not had any issues.

 

[Passepartout]

I agree with Lynne. I think the culprit is a clogged vent (output) line.

 

[remowidget]

Probably not the best method, but we cleared a clog out of ours with a lead blower from inside.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

 

[DebBrown]

I will check everything again. I thought I did a pretty thorough job already but we'll see. Thanks!

 

[PigsDad]

If the outside vent is easily accessible (i.e., not on the roof), can you check the airflow when the dryer is running? It should be a very strong flow.

Kurt

 

[Phydeaux]

Check the vent from the dryer itself all the way to it's exit. How long is the vent pipe? How many elbows? There is a limit for each of these, as I hope you know.What is it made of? Hopefully stainless steel.

Don't procrastinate - we don't want your next post to be about a house fire. Read this: https://www.nachi.org/dryer-vent-safety.htm

 

[DebBrown]

You were all right. There was a spot inaccessible from inside and outside that I was able to reach with a screwdriver. The previous owners had stuck rolled up chicken wire in there. I assume to prevent animals for entering the house. It was stuffed with lint. I don't think I will tell my husband. I complained for six months before buying the new dryer.

Thanks.

 

[Phydeaux]

You were all right. There was a spot inaccessible from inside and outside that I was able to reach with a screwdriver. The previous owners had stuck rolled up chicken wire in there. I assume to prevent animals for entering the house. It was stuffed with lint. I don't think I will tell my husband. I complained for six months before buying the new dryer.

Thanks.

This was a learning opportunity that may not yet be complete. Is the vent solid stainless? Not the flexible type? Did you clean the entire run of the vent with a vent brush? Is the run within specs I provided from web link?

 

[davidvel]

I use a plumbers snake, threading it from the outside all the way in to the vent hole inside. Then I attach a big car wash sponge cut a bit bigger than the diameter of the vent pipe. I back it with a piece of hard cardboard. This is then slowly pulled outside and it cleans the pipe quite well. It scares me how much lint is built up every time.

My FF friends tell me this is the biggest cause of catostrophic house fires after smoking in bed and electrical.

 

[DebBrown]

All the internal venting was replaced when the new dryer was installed. The only other part was the venting through the wall. That part twisted and was hiding the coil of chicken wire. All clean now! Really!

 

[pagosajim]

This was a learning opportunity that may not yet be complete. Is the vent solid stainless? Not the flexible type? Did you clean the entire run of the vent with a vent brush? Is the run within specs I provided from web link?

I would be amazed if a dryer vent were made of stainless steel. That's typically reserved for prefab chimney flues, and only for the inner most pipe, not the outer pipes in a double-wall or triple-wall design. If a dryer vent (single-wall) is made of metal, it's guaranteed to be galvanized steel.