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Caution:
Please read our safety
information before attempting any testing, maintenance
or repairs.
 Before checking the vent, unplug the dryer or shut off the power
at the fuse box or breaker panel to avoid an electrical shock
hazard. Turn off the gas supply to your dryer.
The proper venting of a gas dryer
is critical. Improper venting can result in poisonous gases entering
your home and also increases the risk of fire.
Your gas dryer burns a mixture of
natural gas or propane and air. The resulting combustion gases
of carbon monoxide and dioxide are created. These gases must be
properly vented to the outdoors to prevent asphyxiation or poisoning.
An improperly vented dryer can also
result in the build up of lint which represents a fire hazard.
A typical vent hose is about four
inches in diameter. It can be made of rigid steel or aluminum,
semi-rigid aluminum, flexible foil or flexible PVC / vinyl. The
vent hose connects from the rear lip of the dryer to the lip of
an exterior vent and should be held in place on both ends with
a band clamp.
The safest choice for a vent hose
is a rigid metal. There are two reasons for this, first, the rigid
metal eliminates the sagging that occurs in flexible venting.
Sags allow lint to accumulate in the vent and represent a fire
hazard. Second, the metal is not flammable and helps contain a
fire if the lint does ignite. The down side to the rigid vent
is that it is more difficult to connect to the dryer because it
is not flexible. Because it is rigid, you must be able to connect
it to the dryer with the dryer in place.
A reasonable alternative is a semi-rigid
aluminum vent. This material is fairly fire resistant and less
prone to sagging. Because it is flexible, you can connect it to
the dryer before moving the dryer into place.
The foil coated and plain PVC /
vinyl vent hoses are NOT recommended. These hoses are not fire
resistant and are prone to sagging. Lint build up is a problem
and if the lint catches fire, the vent hose burns too.
In all cases, the venting you use
should be of the shortest length possible and should be arranged
so that no low points (in which lint can accumulate) exist between
the dryer and the exterior vent. Avoid sharp turns because they
increase friction and the risk of lint building up.
Periodically, you should inspect
your venting to make sure that it is clear of obstructions, such
as lint or rodent intrusion. Make sure there are no holes or tears.
Inspect the exterior vent for obstructions such as plants, weeds
or objects placed against the vent. It is also advisable to vacuum
any lint that has accumulated beneath the dryer.
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