The Dryer is Lying to You

Humidity does more than fog your windows. It clumps dryer lint deep in the vent line, turning your quiet laundry routine into a slow-building hazard.

Main Fix: Check Your Dryer Vent for Humid Lint Buildup

What it is:
Dryer vents in the Lowcountry are especially prone to internal clumping caused by trapped humidity. Instead of staying dry and blowing outward, lint collects, sticks, and forms dense pockets. This is especially common in long or winding vent runs that pass through attics, wall cavities, or crawlspaces.

Why it matters:
Here is the problem. Your dryer pushes out 130-degree air filled with moisture and lint. In our climate, that lint stays damp after it leaves the drum. Instead of blowing freely to the outside, it clumps inside the vent line. The airflow slows down. The heat builds up. The backup begins.

I once pulled a dryer away from the wall and found standing water beneath it. Not just moisture. Water. The vent line had become so clogged and heavy with soaked lint that the condensation had nowhere to go. It pooled beneath the unit like a leak, but the problem wasn’t plumbing. It was the dryer trying to breathe through a waterlogged vent.

That homeowner had been running double and triple cycles for weeks, not realizing the machine was gasping for air. If we hadn’t caught it in time, that heat and moisture could have done serious damage to both the dryer and the floor.

This is a hidden risk in homes around here, especially when the vent run is long, poorly sloped, or runs through hot attic space.

What to do:

1. Run your dryer and walk outside. Find the vent exhaust. That flap should lift easily with steady airflow.

2. Check your dry times. If you need two cycles, airflow is probably restricted.

3. Look behind the dryer. A crushed or kinked vent hose is already limiting your system.

4. Schedule a professional vent cleaning if the line is over six feet, includes vertical runs, or has not been serviced in two years.

5. If your laundry room feels humid or unusually warm after running the dryer, there could be a partial clog.

5-Minute Task: Check Exterior Vent Flap for Airflow

Run a load and walk outside. Find the vent exhaust. That flap should be fully open while the dryer is on. If it barely moves or stays shut, airflow is blocked. That quick check could save you a future house call.

Tool Spotlight: Dryer Vent Cleaning Kit

If your vent is not too long, this drill-powered dryer duct cleaning brush can make a big difference.

Holikme 30-Foot Dryer Vent Cleaning Brush Kit
Amazon, under $30

It attaches to a cordless drill and snakes through your vent line, pulling out a shocking amount of lint. A great tool to have on hand.

Lowcountry Watchlist: AC Drain Lines Are Sweating

We are seeing a rise in clogged AC condensate lines from algae growth. If your unit’s drip pan is overflowing or you notice water around the air handler, shut it off and clear the line. A quick flush with vinegar now can prevent drywall damage later.

Thanks for keeping your home safer and smarter with us. Dryer vent clogs are one of those quiet threats that only get noticed when it is too late. If you are not sure about your setup, reply here and I will help you figure it out. That is why we are here.