Author Topic: Occasional tiny bit of water under my dryer?  (Read 6320 times)

psu256

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Occasional tiny bit of water under my dryer?
« on: July 23, 2013, 10:07:32 AM »
I've noticed that I occasionally have a bit of water under my clothes dryer, just a tiny bit, like a spot the size of a computer mouse. It doesn't seem to be related to actually using the dryer, the weather outside, or anything else obvious.

Any ideas what it might be? I was thinking it might be condensation in the vent line or something. The dryer vents under my front porch, so I can't actually see what is going on there, unfortunately.

Greg

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Re: Occasional tiny bit of water under my dryer?
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2013, 10:15:11 AM »
First check that it is indeed water.  Then realize that the dryer moves water in the from of vapor out through the duct, so condensation can form inside the duct. 

Also, and this could be what is happening here, the outside of the duct and other parts inside the dyer can have condensation form on the outside, if the humidity in the room (common in laundry areas and in general) is high enough and outside temperature cool enough.  Often this is because cool air is drawn back in through the dryer duct, either from convection/stack effect or via use of other exhaust fans in the home.

The exit of the vent should be inspected to ensure the back-draft flap is working, and to make sure lint isn't clogging things up.  Having the exit under the porch is less than ideal, it would be better to use rigid duct and extend it to where it can be inspected, and to keep the moisture from damaging the porch structure.  Also, less likely that rodents will enter.

psu256

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Re: Occasional tiny bit of water under my dryer?
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2013, 11:39:32 AM »
It very well may be condensation in the room. It is usually quite humid even with a dehumidifier running. And during the day, there is no A/C - I turn on the A/C when I get home at night, so there is a decent humidity/temperature swing each day.

psu256

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Re: Occasional tiny bit of water under my dryer?
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2013, 05:44:17 PM »
Well, it has been a week or so since I've seen anything. Tonight is the first night in a couple weeks I will be using the dryer, so I will keep an eye out for water in the next couple of days. If it shows up, I think it will be safe to assume it is coming from my clothes, and then I'll have to figure out why the dryer isn't venting well if it is the case... /sigh

 

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