Is it okay that I repaired my dryer vent hose with electrical tape?
Question:I noticed that my vent hose connected to my dryer was torn.
I'd been having problems with lint blowing all over my laundry room and I have to dry most of my clothes twice for them to get dry. I was expecting just a back up of old lint and did manage to get most of the lint out from around my filter.
When I decided to go in from the back of the dryer, I saw the rip in the hose. I wrapped it (and wrapped it and wrapped it some more) with black electrical tape. Now I'm freaking out about using my dryer.
Does anyone see this at being a problem?
Answers:
Replace it; they are cheap enough or at least use duct tape.
Safer in the heated air.
Usually one clamp holding the hose to the dryer; a spring clamp if new, a single screw if it's old.
Ditto to the exaust. Look close. Even the landlord should be able to fix fast and free if you pay for the cheap hose.
It is okay for temporary use, but I would use foil duct tape for long term fix or better yet get a new flexible metal vent duct.
While it will probably work without any problems, it does not make sense to gamble with anything that has to do with heat and lint. Lint is something that can easily catch fire especially if it is blowing around the back of your dryer near the heating element. Over a period of time the electrical tape will lose its sticking properties because of constant heating and cooling from regular use of the dryer. Replacing the vent hose is as simple as turning a screw driver and only a few bucks.
Anyone can take short cuts, dont be 'anyone'.
you really just need to replace it, no matter how old your place is.. i lived in a 1903 victorian, and still had to replace my dryer vent hose. if its ripped, you will be wasting energy by drying twice. electrical tape will eventually fall off. a new hose is about $10, and it will come with the correct clamps..
I doubt the electrical tape will catch fire or anything, but you'd be better off using duct tape. What might catch fire is a build-up of lint in this old duct. Very common cause of house fires. I think your landlord would be happy to send his maintenance person over to make this quick and easy repair for you. Those dryer ducts are super cheap and only take a few minutes to change. Unless you vacuum the lint build-up out of the duct every so often, it's a good idea to change them periodically, anyway. Good luck!
If your vent duct is vinyl with a wire inside to support it open, the electrical tape shouldn't be a problem. If the duct is metal flex then it isn't a problem with the tape being there, it is the tape staying there. If the duct is rigid tubing, then call the landlord.
Replace it with the foil type tube. The plastic is obsolete, and can no longer be sold. It's flammable. The foil type is just as flexable as the plastic but is UL approved. The bendable metal is UL certified but is a real pain to work with. Your tempory repair with electrical tape can't handle the heat and is probably already off.
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