Venting Problems with a Front Loading Dryer

Start the front-loading dryer without a load of clothes in its drum and on a normal drying cycle. Go outside the house, and place your hand over the dryer's exhaust vent. You should feel a steady flow of air from the vent when no blockages or kinks are in the venting.

Unscrew the clamp holding the exhaust pipe to the back of the dryer, and use a vacuum cleaner to remove clumps of lint or clothing threads in the pipe. Dust, lint and other debris in the exhaust pipe is a leading cause of fire and should be removed regularly. You might have to break the vent into multiple sections to clean the accumulated material fully.

Eliminate as many twists and turns in the vent as possible if flexible metal piping is used to vent the appliance. Air from the dryer must be able to flow as easily as possible through the appliance and out of your home. Cutting the vent down to size is necessary if it is coiled behind the dryer. Ensure no crushed or kinked sections are in the piping. The metal pipework should be a minimum of 4 inches in diameter.