How to Replace and Clean an Aluminum Dryer Duct for Mobile Homes
One of the most simple and most important beneficial things that you will need to know in prolonging the life of your dryer and to prevent a fire hazard is to replace the worn-out duct immediately. Many Mobile homeowners neglect to replace this essential and vital piece that will keep your dryer running efficiently for years to come. Just a few minutes of simple maintenance can go a very long way, and save you a bunch of money.
Here is an easy step by step way to remove, install and clean your new duct hose; it’s so simple-even a ten year old can do it.
Note: Most Double Wide Mobile Homes circumference holes are 2&1/2 inches and 2 feet in length. You can purchase your replacement at any Dew’s hardware store, Ace Hardware or any mobile home appliance store in your area.
1. Loosen the clamps from both ends that hold the duct head in place with a Phillips screw driver, then proceed to remove aluminum duct from wall and back of dryer.
2. Save metal clamps from original duct, clamps may need to be loosened to install the new aluminum flex duct to the unit and wall.
3. Use vacuum hose attachment to remove any and all excess lint fibers from wall, and opening of dryer duct, this build-up can cause clothes to have excess lint and odor if this is not completed immediately before attaching metal hose into inner wall. Also, this build up can become a fire hazard if too much lint builds up around the inside wall duct and inner dryer duct. Make sure to vacuum and remove all lint from the top of the lint compartment after removing the lint screen.
4. In some instances-you may have to remove the entire covering that is attached to the wall duct where the aluminum hose is attached. Reason being, that this original attachment may be more harmful and cause the hose attachment not to vent properly.
5. If there are any difficulties in re-attaching the metal hose back into the wall, the hose may need to be cut open and re-sealed with electrical tape to hold the hose together securely. Make sure that the clamps are secure to fit over the aluminum coil hose. Re-attach the aluminum hose to back of dryer first, tighten clamps over the �½ inch metal that is exposed from the back of the dryer.
6. One of the most important things to remember when tightening the clamps is to make sure that the hose completely covers the exposed metal. You will need to gently push as much coil to the back of the dryer so that it will not become detached from the vibration that occurs when drying your laundry.
7. After re-attaching the hose back to the wall unit, push enough of the metal hose into the wall unit so that there is as much less space seen around the circumference of the wall. Repeat the same steps to secure the aluminum hose over the metal tubing that goes into the wall base.
To keep vents, dryer ductsand wall space clean of build-up of lint fibers, vacuum and remove excess lint from these areas every 3 to 4 months to keep the dryer performing at its maximum and optimum operating level for many years to come.
