What Is a Dryer Vent Hood?
The flap on the outside wall where the dryer duct exits the house. If it sticks shut or fills with lint, the dryer cannot breathe.
The cover on the exterior end of a dryer duct. Its flap or louvers open when the dryer blows and close when it stops, to keep out cold air, rain, and animals. The hood is the last place lint collects, and a flap that no longer opens freely, or a mesh screen that has clogged, restricts airflow even when the duct behind it is clean.
Pick a hood with a louvered or single flap and no screen, since screens trap lint. Make sure it opens easily by hand, and seal the gap around it to the siding with exterior caulk. If you can hold a hand at the hood while the dryer runs and feel only a weak puff, the duct or the hood is blocked.
Fixes that use this
Laundry & Cleaning
How to Clean a Dryer Vent Yourself in 1 Hour
Lint in the dryer vent causes slow drying and house fires. Unplug, pull the dryer out, brush the duct, and clear the outside hood. About $25 in tools.
Time45–90 min Cost$15–$35 moderate