Buying a Used Dryer? Check the Vent Before the Price

The leading reason clothes dryers catch fire is not a fault in the machine. It is that nobody cleaned it. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) looked at residential dryer fires from 2008 to 2010 and found that failure to clean was the leading factor contributing to ignition, at 34% of cases. So when you buy a used dryer, the vent behind it matters about as much as the dryer.

A dryer is only as safe as the last time someone cleaned the lint out of it and the pipe behind it.

The numbers below are older, from a 2012 USFA report that covers 2008 to 2010, so I am quoting them as a guide to the cause rather than a current count.

What the federal data says

The USFA also notes that 77% of these fires happened in one- or two-family homes. It adds that a full load of wet clothes can contain as much as one and a half gallons of water, which explains why a dryer pushes so much hot, damp air through the vent. Lint travels with that air and builds up in the duct. Birds' nests or damage in the vent can block it too, and overheating may follow.

What to check on a used dryer

Do these in the order a buyer actually meets the machine.

1. Ask where it came from and how it was used. A dryer from a household that never cleaned the lint screen is not a bargain.
2. Check the lint filter. It should be there, intact, and not clogged with melted residue. NFPA says never to use a dryer without one.
3. Look at the drum and the area around it for lint. NFPA advises removing lint collected around the drum.
4. Check the cord, plug and fit. The right plug and outlet matter. NFPA says the dryer should be properly grounded.
5. If it is gas, ask when it was last inspected. NFPA recommends that gas dryers be inspected by a qualified professional to make sure the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
6. Run it empty for a few minutes if the seller allows, and listen for scraping or squealing.
7. Check the ducting that will connect to it, which brings us to the next section.

The vent is half the machine

NFPA's tips are clear on venting:

• Use rigid or flexible metal venting material to maintain air flow and drying time.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe is not restricted and the outdoor flap opens when the dryer runs.
• Once a year, or sooner if drying takes longer than normal, clean lint out of the vent pipe or hire a lint-removal service.
• Keep the area around the dryer clear of things that can burn, such as boxes, cleaning supplies and clothing.

The USFA flyer adds that you should have the dryer installed and serviced by a professional, clean the lint filter before and after each cycle, and clean behind the dryer where lint can build up.

If your old vent is plastic or foil, or crushed behind the machine, replace it before you plug in your new-to-you dryer. That is my suggestion, based on the metal-vent point from NFPA.

Habits that keep it safe

• Clean the lint filter every load.
• Do not overload the dryer, and follow the maker's instructions.
• Turn the dryer off if you leave the house or go to bed.
• Do not dry clothes that have touched gasoline, paint thinner or similar solvents. NFPA says to lay such clothes outside to dry first, then wash and dry as usual.

A slow dryer is a warning sign, too. If clothes are still damp after a normal cycle, the vent is the first place to look.

For buyers in DC, Maryland and Virginia

Dryers are heavy and a hassle to move, so inspect before you pay. Browse the categories or Buy Now pages for appliances, then check the condition notes and the help page for pickup details. And as with any appliance, run a recall check first with our five-minute guide. If you are weighing a used fridge as well, see the age that costs you $95 a year.

The bottom line

Dryer fires are mostly a cleaning problem. The federal data says failure to clean was the top factor, and lint was the first thing to ignite in more than a quarter of the fires. Look for a clean filter, a metal vent that is clear and a well-kept machine, then keep up the habit once it is yours.

If you know someone setting up a laundry room, forward this before they buy.