Leaf blower to clean out dryer vent? Anybody tried it?

[imaref]

I want to clean out the dryer vent (it runs the whole length of my townhouse) and I've been reading (and watching on Youtube) how you can unhook the dryer pipe hose, insert the blower end of an ELECTRIC leaf blower, wrap a towel around the blower/hose and can blow the lint out through the pipe and out the other side (to the outside).

I've watched the videos, read lots of success stories, but was wondering if anyone on here has tried it?

 

[Larry Gude]

Sounds reasonable to me IF the vent pipe isn't too long and doesn't take too convoluted a path, ie, twists and turns (clog/choke points), to the outlet.

 

[Rommey]

I use my leaf blower all the time to clean the dryer vent. What I did to prevent any blowback was to clamp a short section of flexible vent tube directly to the blower and to the outlet on the wall. This way will force 100% of the air to go through the vent. My vent line is about 35' long with two 90° turns and I have never had a problem using the blower to clean it out.

 

[imaref]

Thanks! I'm gonna give it a shot in the spring. I only have one 90 degree turn and then straight for about 36 feet or so.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

I want to clean out the dryer vent (it runs the whole length of my townhouse) and I've been reading (and watching on Youtube) how you can unhook the dryer pipe hose, insert the blower end of an ELECTRIC leaf blower, wrap a towel around the blower/hose and can blow the lint out through the pipe and out the other side (to the outside).

I've watched the videos, read lots of success stories, but was wondering if anyone on here has tried it?

What about a shop vac? Just remove the dryer vent hose from the back of the dryer, and use a vac.
Or.....compressed air; just blow it (the dryer vent hose) outside.

 

[somdforever]

I want to clean out the dryer vent (it runs the whole length of my townhouse) and I've been reading (and watching on Youtube) how you can unhook the dryer pipe hose, insert the blower end of an ELECTRIC leaf blower, wrap a towel around the blower/hose and can blow the lint out through the pipe and out the other side (to the outside).

I've watched the videos, read lots of success stories, but was wondering if anyone on here has tried it?

Before you start blowing, you should get the dryer vent brush with extensions to run through the hose to loosen up the lint. Over time, the lint gets damp and will cling to the inside of the hose. Just blowing it will not clean it all out. Just attach the brush and extensions to a drill and run it through, then blow everything out. Lowes carries the brushes.

 

[BernieP]

when you are done, put a little gas into the blower than ignite the vapors in the vent - the remaining lint will be gone in a flash.

 

[getbent]

Never thought of using the leaf blower. What type of material does everyone use for the dryer vent? I have the aluminum foil looking vent for a few feet (from the dryer, through the floor) then it connects to a piece of pvc pipe attached to the outside.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Before you start blowing, you should get the dryer vent brush with extensions to run through the hose to loosen up the lint. Over time, the lint gets damp and will cling to the inside of the hose. Just blowing it will not clean it all out. Just attach the brush and extensions to a drill and run it through, then blow everything out. Lowes carries the brushes.

Some time ago, I saw a brush that was round-ended, and it had bristles all around and flat on the bottom; if you pointed the brush upward; on a telescoping handle. I believe the brush head was green-colored.
This is not really a good picture of this thing; but from what I can see, it looks like what I'm trying to describe.

 

[getbent]

Some time ago, I saw a brush that was round-ended, and it had bristles all around and flat on the bottom; if you pointed the brush upward; on a telescoping handle. I believe the brush head was green-colored.
This is not really a good picture of this thing; but from what I can see, it looks like what I'm trying to describe.

I've seen things that look similar. Usually advertised for chimneys I think.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

I've seen things that look similar. Usually advertised for chimneys I think.

No, this one I'm failing horribly at describing has nylon bristles. Those chimney/flue sweepers have steel bristles. Same principle though.

 

[itsbob]

I want to clean out the dryer vent (it runs the whole length of my townhouse) and I've been reading (and watching on Youtube) how you can unhook the dryer pipe hose, insert the blower end of an ELECTRIC leaf blower, wrap a towel around the blower/hose and can blow the lint out through the pipe and out the other side (to the outside).

I've watched the videos, read lots of success stories, but was wondering if anyone on here has tried it?

My only concern would be dryer vents aren't made to take that kind of pressure or CFM. Good chance you are going to damage the vent somewhere inside a wall (taking for granted that you have a LONG vent run, why the need for a leaf blower in the first place).. damage your pipe inside a wall, you may fill the void in the wall with very flammable lint or better known as "premium mouse nesting material".. both a fire and vermin hazard.

If you know your vent can withstand that kind of air pressure, sounds like a great idea..

 

[getbent]

No, this one I'm failing horribly at describing has nylon bristles. Those chimney/flue sweepers have steel bristles. Same principle though.

Oh ok. Never messed with one so wasn't sure what the bristles were made of.

 

[Lurk]

My only concern would be dryer vents aren't made to take that kind of pressure or CFM. Good chance you are going to damage the vent somewhere inside a wall (taking for granted that you have a LONG vent run, why the need for a leaf blower in the first place).. damage your pipe inside a wall, you may fill the void in the wall with very flammable lint or better known as "premium mouse nesting material".. both a fire and vermin hazard.

If you know your vent can withstand that kind of air pressure, sounds like a great idea..

We had our HVAC vacuumed and cleaned this fall for the first time. The entire house plus dryer vent got scrubbed and vacuumed. They pulled about 20 pounds of lint and dust from the house and dryer vent. It's something that should be done every 10 or 12 year. The dryer vent was easy to clean, it's only about 12 inches from dryer to vent.

 

[BadGirl]

We had our HVAC vacuumed and cleaned this fall for the first time. The entire house plus dryer vent got scrubbed and vacuumed. They pulled about 20 pounds of lint and dust from the house and dryer vent. It's something that should be done every 10 or 12 year. The dryer vent was easy to clean, it's only about 12 inches from dryer to vent.

It's shocking that so much debris was pulled from your vents. I'm wondering if that is typical.

Has your house vents been cleaned before? Do you have pets? Kids? Do you live in a heavily wooded area where you'd have higher than average pollen?

 

[Lurk]

It's shocking that so much debris was pulled from your vents. I'm wondering if that is typical.

Has your house vents been cleaned before? Do you have pets? Kids? Do you live in a heavily wooded area where you'd have higher than average pollen?

We've lived in the house 25 years and don't know that anyone had done the vent cleaning earlier. We've had two sons plus lots of pets transition through the house in that period of time. I doubt the vents have been cleaned in the 40 years the house has been around. The volume shocked the boss who had been telling me for ten years it was probably why the eldest son had allergies.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

We've lived in the house 25 years and don't know that anyone had done the vent cleaning earlier. We've had two sons plus lots of pets transition through the house in that period of time. I doubt the vents have been cleaned in the 40 years the house has been around. The volume shocked the boss who had been telling me for ten years it was probably why the eldest son had allergies.

It's the unseen and seldom thought about things; like A/C ductwork cleaning that can cause inexplicable allergies. Another helpful yet seldom thought of measure is to clean/replace your A/C filters. Yeah, it's an additional step, but likely much easier than cleaning ductwork.

 

[Lurk]

It's the unseen and seldom thought about things; like A/C ductwork cleaning that can cause inexplicable allergies. Another helpful yet seldom thought of measure is to clean/replace your A/C filters. Yeah, it's an additional step, but likely much easier than cleaning ductwork.

Yeah, after that experience filter-changing schedule went from twice a year to every quarter.

 

[MADPEBS1]

Yeah, after that experience filter-changing schedule went from twice a year to every quarter.

who's the comapny Lurk? Sounds like you are happy, so recommand them ?

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Yeah, after that experience filter-changing schedule went from twice a year to every quarter.

When the filters come out of the unit dark and covered in what looks like wool, you think; well, at least I do; we breathe that stuff.