Beyond causing annoyances, a clogged dryer vent can pose a significant safety hazard.
Every time you run your dryer to remove the moisture from a load of freshly washed laundry, materials move into the dryer vent. This opening leads outside, allowing hot air and water to escape during the drying cycle. Lint also gets into the vent, often attaching to the edges of the opening and staying there. Of course, some lint gets trapped and can be removed between loads, but a portion will also move through the screen into the vent.
These materials can cause the vent to become clogged, which can create a number of issues. Common warning signs of a clogged dryer vent include burning odors when the dryer is running, a significant buildup of lint in or around the trap, and evidence of overheating. You may also notice that loads take a lot longer to dry or come out wet even after being in the dryer for a cycle. Some appliances include safety features that won’t allow them to operate when a clogged dryer vent is detected.