In the 3 story townhouse I'm currently in, the contractor originally built the (stackable) dryer vent to go straight up from it's location (top floor), then when it gets above the ceiling, it angles up to vent out at the roof top. needless to say, this is very problematic as it requires regular cleaning. Is there anything I can do on the dryer itself to increase the amount of lint caught while drying so that I don't have to pull this thing out to clean the vent pipe behind it as often?
How to catch more lint in the dryer
dryerventventilation
Related Solutions
If anyone else has this problem, don't try to take the dryer apart!
I found it's much easier - stick your head in the dryer, and get a good look at the Outlet Grill (Bulkhead Part #32). (If the hyperlink breaks, the Outlet Grill is the part that holds the lint filter). Lint covers up recessed screws on the grill that you need to remove.
Once you get the Outlet Grill off, you have plenty of space to get into the lint duct and clear it out.
They make Dryer Vent Cleaning Kits for this very purpose:
As to why there is water in there - hopefully it's just condensation.
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Best Answer
They sell inline lint traps, that can be installed along the exhaust vent.
This should catch most; if not all of the excess lint, and give you a convenient easy way to clean the lint. The lint should be cleaned often (along with the dryers internal lint trap), to increase dryer efficiency and decrease the chance of fire.
Keep in mind, these are recommended to be used with a "booster fan" setup. If your exhaust line is longer than about 6' (1.8 m), you'll have to install a dryer booster fan to safely use one of these lint traps.
If you have a gas dryer, you may not be able to use an inline lint trap. Check with the manufacturer of the dryer, before installing a lint trap like this.
Warning
They sell products like this that have an open front, that "deflect" heat into the house. These are not a good idea, since they also "deflect" moisture into the home which can lead to mold and poor indoor air quality.