"Feels like one of those chores we all conveniently 'forget' about until something goes wrong, lol."
Haha, guilty as charged... I try to do mine every 6 months or so. Quick tip: if you have trouble reaching deep into the vent, a cheap dryer vent brush from the hardware store makes it way easier. Takes like 10 mins tops and saves headaches later.
Does anyone really need to clean it every 6 months though? I've been doing mine maybe once a year (if I remember...) and haven't had any issues yet. Wondering if the frequency depends more on climate or how often you use your dryer? Curious if anyone's actually noticed a difference between cleaning twice a year versus once—seems like it might be overkill unless you're drying laundry daily or something.
"Wondering if the frequency depends more on climate or how often you use your dryer?"
Honestly, I used to think once a year was plenty too... until I finally cleaned mine after about 8 months and pulled out enough lint to knit a sweater. 😅 It probably does depend on usage and humidity levels, but even with moderate use, buildup happens quicker than you'd think. Plus, my dryer definitely runs faster now—so maybe twice a year isn't total overkill after all? Just sayin', might be worth it for the shorter drying times alone...
"Honestly, I used to think once a year was plenty too... until I finally cleaned mine after about 8 months and pulled out enough lint to knit a sweater."
Haha, been there! I usually clean mine every 6 months or so, but now you've got me wondering—does anyone notice more lint buildup in winter versus summer? Seems like mine fills up quicker when it's colder out...
I've noticed that too, actually. Could be because heavier clothes like sweaters and blankets shed more fibers in winter? Or maybe it's just that we run the dryer more often when it's cold out. Either way, I don't think you're imagining it.
"pulled out enough lint to knit a sweater."
Haha, sounds about right. Might be worth checking your dryer vent hose too—sometimes lint builds up there faster than you'd expect, especially in colder months when airflow can be restricted.
Good point about the dryer vent—I hadn't thought of that. On a related note, has anyone noticed condensation issues around dryer vents outside during winter? Mine drips constantly, wondering if that's normal or if I need better insulation...
"Mine drips constantly, wondering if that's normal or if I need better insulation..."
Had the same issue at my old place—thought I had a mini ice rink forming under the vent. Turns out, insulating the duct properly and making sure it's angled slightly downward solved it. No more accidental skating hazards, lol.
Had a similar issue at my place last winter, drove me nuts trying to figure it out. At first I thought it was just condensation from the cold air hitting warmer surfaces, but it got pretty annoying when I started noticing water stains on the ceiling. Did some digging around and realized the ductwork wasn't insulated properly—actually, parts of it weren't insulated at all.
Ended up wrapping the ducts with some good-quality insulation sleeves (the foil-backed kind works great) and sealed any seams or joints with aluminum tape. Also made sure the ducts had a slight downward slope so any moisture could drain away rather than pooling up inside. Took maybe an afternoon to sort out, but totally worth it. Haven't had a drip since, and the room actually feels warmer too.
One other thing to check is your humidity levels indoors. If your house is super humid, even well-insulated ducts can sweat a bit. Running a dehumidifier or improving ventilation can help cut down on that moisture buildup.
Anyway, just my two cents from dealing with this headache before... hope you get it sorted soon, dripping vents are no fun at all.
Good tips on insulating the ducts—I’ve seen that make a huge difference for plenty of clients, especially in older homes. A lot of people underestimate just how much moisture can build up if the ducts aren't properly wrapped. Also, good call on humidity levels; sometimes folks chase down insulation problems when it’s really just too much moisture in the air.
One thing I'd add from experience is checking your bathroom and kitchen ventilation. Had a client last year who insulated everything perfectly but still got condensation on windows because the bath fan wasn't venting correctly—basically just pushing moisture into the attic space. Once we fixed the venting issue, their condensation problems vanished almost overnight.
Curious if anyone else has discovered other sneaky sources of moisture around the house? Seems like there's always something new to learn with these older homes...
Great points about ventilation—I hadn't thought about the bath fan issue before. Makes me wonder if dryer vents could cause similar problems? Ours seems to vent okay, but I've noticed our laundry room feels damp sometimes after running the dryer. Maybe there's a sneaky leak or blockage somewhere... Has anyone else had moisture issues linked to their dryer setup?