Your dryer’s efficiency may be significantly reduced if some treacherous lint starts to clog up slowly in the dryer venting. This build up can gradually become a fire hazard if it isnot cleaned out regularly. If you have been cleaning up the dryer filter thinking that everything is all set, then think again.

When water is removed during a drying process, lint is always deposited slowly especially on the crevices inside the lint filter trap which also extents along the dryer vent hose. So, if you just cleaned up the filter trap, then a whole load of lint awaits deep inside the dryer vent hose. The following are tips on how to clean dryer vent.

How To Clean a Dryer Vent - Preparation

Cleaning up a dryer venting requires a set of equipment that can allow you to effectively get rid of all the clogging inside it. Before beginning any cleaning procedure, make sure that the following are right inside your toolbox:

• Duct tape
• Screwdriver
• Soapy water (it is recommended to use warm water)
• Toilet brush (clean it first)
• Old towel
• Gloves
• Broomstick

Once you have the above in place, then you are ready to go.

The Cleaning Procedure

1.    If your dryer is gas powered, then detach the horse. On an electric dryer, unplug power supply cable from the wall socket. Always do this before doing anything.

2.    Turn off the main gas supply. After detaching the gas hose from the dryer, remember to turn off the gas supply as a safety measure. In case you experience any problem in turning off the gas, just get some assistance from the gas company or call a specialist to assist. Do not clean the dryer until the gas supply is fully turned off.

3.    Unhook the vent by pulling the dyer about 2 feet from the wall.

4.    Detach the vent from the dryer by unscrewing the clamp holder.

5.    Slowly lay the vent on the floor right beside the dryer after detaching it from the wall.

6.    Use the toilet brush to gently remove the lint buildup inside the flexible vent. If you have a vacuum cleaner, you can still use it as long as it has a wand attachment. Using a vacuum cleaner would require you to seek some assistance from another person. Note that coat hanger or any other pointed objects should not be used at least not for this step because you might easily poke a hole on the vent.

7.     Take the old towel and wrap it around the broomstick. Then use it to slide into the vent back and forth until it is cleaned up.

8.    Locate the covering louver of the vent outside the house and unscrew it. Clean it up and be careful as some wasps may sting you.

9.    You can then wash the louver with warm soapy water before replacing it back.

10.    You can now start reassembling the dryer back at the house. Take the precautions the same way as you were detaching the dryer vent hose.

Generally, learning how to clean dryer vent is not a difficult task and anyone can learn it quite easily.

We have tried to categorize the Home Repair Topics in a logical way. All of the articles are grouped by the types of repairs that are involved. Some groups are rather large, such as 'Plumbing'. In an effort to keep things simple we have broken down larger categories into sub-categories. See below for the major divisions of articles, you should be able to follow these links and find the information that you are looking for.

We realize that time is of the essence when you have something that is broken. However, we feel that you will find what you need much faster if you take the time to read the information on this page, it will only take a few minutes.

Menu Groups

Below we list all of the 'Menu Groups' that we have on this site. These 'groups' correspond with the various menus that you will find on the right side of the page or at the bottom of the page if you are using a mobile device. A quick review of this list should get you into the right area quickly. All of the key articles are listed on the pages that you will go to, so you don't have to worry about trying to find the menus if you are using a mobile device.

Appliances

This section deals with major and not so major appliances. We try to focus on appliance repairs that you are likely going to be able to complete yourself. New appliances are expensive and appliance repairmen charge substantial fees for fixing them. See if you can save yourself some money by reviewing this information.

Doors

Most homes have several doors. There are several factors that can cause a door to malfunction. A lot of the time the effort to fix them is minimal when compared to the aggravation that they can cause. This segment covers most of the common door related topics.

Drywall

Most homes in the United States have drywall installed on the walls and ceilings. Drywall is a great product that provides a suitable base for paint and other finishes. However, the core of drywall is made from gypsum, which is a soft stone. The gypsum core is sandwiched between two layers of paper. Needless to say that drywall will only take a certain amount of abuse before it gets damaged.

The good news is that drywall can be repaired and repainted. This group of articles covers all of the topics associated with drywall, from installing it to sanding the finished product. See this information if you have any drywall issues in your home.

Electrical

Electricity, what would we do without it. Sadly, electricity is a very scary thing to work with. Most of us are afraid of it and steer clear of any chance of getting shocked. With that said, there are several repairs that a homeowner can make on electrical items without takin unnecessary risk.

Most of the time it is a matter of taking a few precautions and understanding what you are doing. See this section for any electrical problems you have.

HVAC

This section includes information on the heating and cooling systems in your home. Some of these items can be effectively repaired or maintained by a homeowner.

Plumbing

Plumbing in your home includes two systems, one is the water supply that comes from the city or your well. The other is the used or 'dirty' water that must be removed after you are done with it. There are certain devices that modify or control the water in your home, such as you hot water tank. So, plumbing repairs are a fairly broad topic. We have broken this group down into a few topics that help you to narrow down your problem. See below for a listing of these sub-groups.

Hot Water Heaters

Lots of problems with water heaters. To make matters worse, there are different types of water heaters that use different fuels to operate. Of course the different types have different parts and problems. We have tried to sort out the various problems.

Some problems are specific to the type of water heater that you have. Other problems are common to all types of water heaters. This page sorts out those issues and should direct you to the correct information to address your problem.

Home heating repair can involve both fixing your equipment and maintaining. Heating and cooling is a big industry and you no doubt have numerous companies in your area that perform this type of service.

As a rule, not many homeowners attempt to work on heating and cooling systems. There are a few reasons for this. The first is that repairs are often needed immediately. If you furnace quits in the middle of winter, you often don't have time to figure out the problem on your own.

The other main problem is that parts are not readily available. Most local heating and cooling suppliers will not sell parts to individuals. This helps to protect the service industry that works on heating and cooling system.

There is also the safety issue. Heating and cooling repairmen are trained to work on furnaces and cooling systems. Some of the operations, such as charging a cooling system require special licenses. Since furnaces and cooling condensers use combustible fuels and/or substantial amounts of electricity, they are considered dangerous to work on.

With that said, there are some things a homeowner can do. Troubleshooting the problem first will save you having a serviceman come out when it is a simple problem. Some maintenance operations are not dangerous and the supplies can be obtained.

Home Heating Repair - Finding Help

Below you will find some common problems. There is a brief description and a link that will lead you to additional information. Our evaluation sections of the pages will help you to decide if you want to make the repair. The "What Can You Save?" and "How Hard Could It Be?"sections give you a quick overview of the repair. This will help you decide if it is in your best interest to make the repair yourself.

The "Check the Simple Things First" section will clue you in to easy fixes to check for. Many times quick fix will eliminate a problem without the aggravation of an involved repair. In an effort to warn you about what you are in for, there is the "What Can Go Wrong" section. Forewarned is forearmed as they say. Knowing what to watch out for is always helpful.

Home Heating Repair Topics

Replacing Furnace Filters

This is a common maintenance task that a homeowner can perform. Most types of filters should be replaced at the beginning of each new season. Some types of filters can be cleaned out and put back in.

Types of Furnace Filters

There are are several types of furnace filters. The size and type of particles that are captured can be important. This is especially true if someone in the home has allergies.

There are ratings for furnace filters that help you to determine what filter to get. Understanding the rating system can be a little confusing. How to understand them is covered in this series of articles.

For most of us, the idea of fixing an appliance our self, conjures up feelings of fear and inadequacy. So the term 'DIY Appliance Repair' may not sound that appealing. Whether this a practical choice depends a lot on what is wrong with our appliance.

Understanding what your problem is will help you, even if you decide to call someone to come and fix it. Using the 'Troubleshooting' guide below will save you from having unnecessary items sold to you during the repair. This alone can save you some serious money.

When Does 'DIY Appliance Repair' Make Sense?

Below, we have listed some 'Pro's' and 'Con's' to trying to fix an appliance yourself. In the end it is up to you to decide. Take a look at the list and see what you think:

Pro's

• Many repairs can be accomplished for just the 'price of the parts' and some of your time.
• Some repairs, don't even require any parts.
• No one will have to be at the house to meet the repairman.
• No worry about being sold things that you don't need.
• You can save between $100 and $500 on a single repair.

Con's

• You may not be physically able to wrestle with a large heavy appliance to fix it.
• You may not be able to determine what your problem is.
• You may not be able to locate the parts, or purchase them even if you find them.
• Some repairs that require specialized tools that are expensive to purchase and unlikely to be on hand.

Troubleshooting Appliance Problems

Below we have links and descriptions of the various troubleshooting articles for appliances on this website. Even if you are going to 'call someone', it is a good idea to review the information and try to determine your problem.

Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals are both a plumbing device and an appliance. The cost enough and are sufficiently difficult to install that they constitute an major investment. Keeping them in good working order just makes sense.

Clothes Dryer Troubleshooting

There are two common types of clothes dryers. Gas and Electric, with electric being the most common. Drums and controls are similar, the main difference is the heat source.

Gas Dryer Troubleshooting

A gas dryer uses natural gas to provide the heat source for drying the clothes. So you have some of the same issues with a gas dryer that you do with other gas appliances. They need to be vented properly, the ignition system (pilot light or electronic) needs to be functioning properly.

In addition to the gas issues you have a drum that is driven by a belt that is connected to a motor. Along with that you have the control board the takes care of the various cycles on the dryer. Some of the cycles rely on sensors with in the dryer to tell when the clothes are properly dried.

See the article 'Gas Dryer Troubleshooting' for a discussion on the various issues and how to narrow your problem down.

Electric Dryer Troubleshooting

An electric dryer is simpler than a gas dryer. The heating element is electric and you don't have all the gas related issues that come from using natural gas. However, electric heating elements can go bad and the are fairly expensive to replace.

You have the same motor, belt and drum issues with an electric dryer that you do with a gas one. You can also have the same control board problems.

See the article 'Electric Dryer Troubleshooting' for a discussion of the problems and guidelines on how to narrow down your issue.

See the article 'How To Clean a Dryer Vent' for information on keeping the dryer working at peak performance.

Washing Machine Troubleshooting

Washing machines can have several issues. Since they use water, both hot and cold, leaks are an obvious malady. There is also a drive motor for the drum that can be direct or belt driven.

Other issues are clogged filters, pumps and of course the controls. As with any appliance the more features it has the more opportunity you have for issues.

See the article 'Washing Machine Troubleshooting' for a listing of all the problems, symptoms and methods for fixing them.

How To Fix a Stove

Stoves or ranges are a standard feature in most kitchens these days. We use them for cooking of course. Some of us may even have and older wood version that also heats your home. The two popular fuels for a stove is natural gas and electricity. NOTE: Not much that can go wrong with a wood burning stove.

Free standing stoves include an oven for baking. Cook tops only have burners for cooking with the oven being another appliance in the kitchen.

Gas Stove Troubleshooting

For a stove to work, it has to have the gas burning. Newer stoves use electronic ignition systems. Older stoves may still rely on a pilot light. Of course when such fails the low tech method of using a match or lighter is still common.

The flow of gas is controlled by the knobs on the appliance. There usually are not any thermocouple devices associated with the burners. So if they don't light, it can be dangerous. The oven will likely have some safety features that won't allow the gas to continue to run without it igniting.

Parts burning out and ignition issues are some of the common problems with this type of stove. See the article 'Gas Stove Troubleshooting' to locate your issue and get it fixed.

Electric Stove Repair

Electric stoves like gas stoves are meant for cooking. Instead of a flame you have an electric element that gets red hot and provides the heat. The debate rages on among discriminating cooks worldwide as to weather or not electric gives you the ability to adjust the heat acceptably.  Whether it is the best heat or not, many a meal gets cooked on electric ranges every day.

Of course the heating elements are the big issue with electric stoves. Next would be the controls. Since it involves electricity, shorts are possible and at times people do get shocked from an electric stove.

See the article 'Electric Stove Repair and Troubleshooting' for more information and directions on how to solve your problem.

Dishwasher Troubleshooting

No mystery here, this is the appliance the cleans the dishes. It is a common appliance in most modern homes.

Dishwashers use water and of course water has its own set of problems. Not the least of which are leaks. The other issue with water is that it needs to be drained away. A dishwasher that does not drain properly will not clean the dishes effectively. There are pumps that help the dishwasher to drain.

Some dishwashers have heating elements for both the water and to dry the dishes. Add to that some filters and you have a potential for several problems.

See the article, 'Dishwasher Troubleshooting' to identify your problem and work toward getting it fixed.

Refrigerator Troubleshooting

The main moving part in a refrigerator is the compressor. The good news is that they are fairly reliable and have been known to last for decades. The bad news is that if they go bad, they are expensive to replace.

There are other issues that are less dire. Water supply lines, temperature controls and seals to name a few. Problems, such as frozen vegetables in the crisper drawer can be a little aggravating.

To locate and solve you refrigerator issues you want to see the article 'Refrigerator Troubleshooting'.

Ice Maker Troubleshooting

Although it is technically part of the refrigerator, the freezer, to be more exact, it is really a separate appliance. It has its own water supply and mechanism the ejects the ice when the cubes are ready. There is definitely the potential for problems with this appliance.

See the article 'Ice Maker Troubleshooting' for a complete run down on the problems and solutions.