I did an inspection out in the boondocks today on a rambling ranch-style home with not only a two-car garage, but a detached three-car garage and a 600-SF guest house. I commented not only on the beautiful home and the forever views, but also on the beautiful, top-of-the-line appliances that were present, including the Neptune LCD washer and dryer. My Client said that they had tried to buy the matching washer and dryer, but upon inquiry, the seller had told them that the dryer hasn't worked well for several years now and that it took several cycles to dry clothes.

After the inspection, I showed my Clients why the dryer wasn't drying.

Figure 1 shows where the dryer vent terminated.

  Figure 1. Dryer vent termination.

See it? It's right there. Right there! Oh my gosh, are you blind? See Figure 2, then.

  Figure 2. Dryer vent hood.

Yep, that beautiful sink you see in Figure 1 was added in 2004, five years after the house was built, and it was built right around that little thingy there. So once that little sink cabinet got full of moisture- and lint-laden air, there was nowhere for additional air to go, which resulted in longer drying times.

You can see the lint in the bottom of the cabinet there, but take a look at Figure 3—Halloween is just around the corner!

  Figure 3. Spider webs draped with lint.

Folks, if your dryer isn't drying, check that exterior vent hood to see if it's clogged by lint or a cute, little furry animal (usually dead!), or if some other type of "home improvement" didn't improve your home as much as you thought it would.