How to clear obstructed dryer duct

[Ross Bernard]

The house I just purchased has an obstructed dryer exhaust duct. It looks like there is debris both inside the house where the dryer connects and outside, on the roof, where it exits the house. I was thinking about getting a plumber's snake to clear it. Other ideas?

[Joe Trometer]

@Ross Bernard

Hey Ross, 

There are brushes made to clean out the dryer vent about 3 feet long at most home centers and hardware stores...

... but it sound like you have a longer run through the roof instead of outside the wall behind the dryer.

Is the exhaust pipe flimsy flexible pipe or is it hard metal duct pipe?

If the exhaust duct is hard pipe, I've used a inexpensive flexible link chain.  I'm not sure how to describe the chain, it's not like automotive towing chains.  Its a small, flexible, silvery, small link chain available at the home center stores.  Cheaper than a plumber snake.

Its a thin chain that I use to fish house wire through a hole in the 2x4's when updating wiring for a plug or light receptacles. 

Anyway - I've put a weight on the end (or not) of it if the obstruction is thick and drop it down the duct and holding on to it at the top.

1) You can shake or twirl the chain and that might do the trick.

2) Attach the brush made for cleaning dryer vents at the bottom end and pull it up and down a few times.  Or other similar bristle brushes would work.

I would caution that if it's hard duct pipe may be screws to hold the sections together that might get hung up if you tried to run a towel through, but I have done that with success - gently pulling of course.

If it's flexible duct pipe, well, they do come disconnected quite easily.

Then there is the vacuum hose if you have one long enough and can safely access the roof with it - then access from the inside as well.

Hope that helps some.

- Joe