Author Topic: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?  (Read 26348 times)

jeromedawg

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Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« on: March 30, 2017, 12:00:37 AM »
Hi all,

So in the past week or so, we started noticing an awful rancid smell in the laundry room. At first I thought it was the washing machine so I cleaned out the drain filter and ran a tub clean. It certainly smelled bad but I soon realized that the smell I was smelling was emanating from our dryer! I unhooked the vent hose tonight and also vacuumed the lint filter in the dryer - when I leave the dryer door closed, and then open it after sometime, it seems like the smell lingers. But if I run a cycle with the hose pointed up (recycling the air back into the laundry room) there's no nasty smell that I can detect at least. With the duct vent (going to the outside) exposed, I took a whiff and it smells terrible... like something crawled in there and died. We've also been noticing more small gnats and flies inside our place - not sure if this could be flies feeding on the carcass of whatever rodent is possibly down there.

As far as blockages, we haven't noticed drying times taking much longer but then again we haven't paid attention so much... my wife usually does the laundry too so I would know even less but she says she hasn't noticed it taking any longer to dry clothes. This last batch of clothes smelled awful - it's as of the smell is getting redirected back into the dryer or something. I went outside to where the vent exhaust is and there's definitely airflow (it's further away from the dryer with 90 degree bends along the way so it never has been the strongest flow). I noticed the smell coming out from there too though while running the dryer.

I'm planning to call a company that specializes in cleaning out dryer ducts and rodent removal, but does this definitely sound like a rodent or something crawled in there and died? For the heck of it, I picked up one of those cheapo endoscopes and am going to try snaking it in to see if I can see anything. We're in a downstairs condo unit, and there's no direct access to the duct work itself. Trying to run fish tape through wasn't very successful from the laundry room. I may try fish tape + snake camera from the outside exhaust vent. I noticed what appears to be some sort of nutshell (like an acorn or something) when digging out the space from the exhaust - whoever designed the placement of it did a poor job as there's no clearance and the hood hits the dirt. I had to shovel the dirt away for clearance...

Something else I was curious about is if I should look for a contractor who specializes in dryer vent/duct cleaning vs a general duct cleaner (who does everything from air vents/ducts to dryer ducts/vents as well).
« Last Edit: March 30, 2017, 12:30:10 AM by jplee3 »

Vindicated

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2017, 07:48:58 AM »
Birds often get into the Dryer Vent and nest.  Sometimes they wander down the wrong way and end up in your dryer.  This happened to me last summer.

First step, check your outside vent, and pull out any nest or other nesting like material.  You may need a long stick to reach as far in as you can and pull stuff out.  I used a broom handle.  Just be careful not to push the material built up back further.  Then, buy a latchable cover from Lowes or similar, and install it.  Make sure no other birds or rodents can get in.  (It's probably a bird)

Next, pull your dryer out, and clean out the vent from the back.  There will probably be a bird or two.  In my case, they were both still alive, so the smell wasn't as bad as yours will probably be.  Get the birds out, and wipe it out the best you can.  It'll still smell awful.  Get some bleach and mix it with water in a spray bottle.  I think I used around 30% bleach / 70% water.  Spray it down and let it sit for 30 minutes.  Then wipe it out with a clean wet cloth, then a clean dry cloth. 

I hope that fixes your problem!

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2017, 10:04:52 AM »
Birds often get into the Dryer Vent and nest.  Sometimes they wander down the wrong way and end up in your dryer.  This happened to me last summer.

First step, check your outside vent, and pull out any nest or other nesting like material.  You may need a long stick to reach as far in as you can and pull stuff out.  I used a broom handle.  Just be careful not to push the material built up back further.  Then, buy a latchable cover from Lowes or similar, and install it.  Make sure no other birds or rodents can get in.  (It's probably a bird)

Next, pull your dryer out, and clean out the vent from the back.  There will probably be a bird or two.  In my case, they were both still alive, so the smell wasn't as bad as yours will probably be.  Get the birds out, and wipe it out the best you can.  It'll still smell awful.  Get some bleach and mix it with water in a spray bottle.  I think I used around 30% bleach / 70% water.  Spray it down and let it sit for 30 minutes.  Then wipe it out with a clean wet cloth, then a clean dry cloth. 

I hope that fixes your problem!

Thanks! The duct situation is tricky in my condo - first, the run from the laundry room has a 90-degree bend the first several feet in, and I haven't had any luck even with fish tape getting past it. The exhaust vent from the outside is hooded for difficult access but I might be able to stick the fish tape in from there. Either way, I'm not really going to know what's even in there unless the snake camera I ordered actually works. It'll be hard trying to DIY-fish anything out that's in there though. It's probably at least a 15-20ft run

Vindicated

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2017, 10:08:31 AM »
If it's actually in the exhaust duct, then I recommend calling a contractor to blow it out.  My BIL did that a few years ago.  They hook a blower up inside your laundry room and just shoot everything out of the outside end.  Take off the cover on the outside first.

I hope the smell goes with the junk!

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2017, 10:32:39 AM »
Also, I'm not sure it could have been a bird - the exhaust hood was so close to the ground I had to dig dirt out from under just to access the damper. I think the last time I had the dryer duct cleaned, they hooked up a high powered shop-vac to the duct hook-up inside and turned it on reverse/blower mode. He went in from the outside with one of those drill vent sweeps and ran it while the shop-vac blew the debris out. There wasn't a whole lot of stuff but there was some. I'm not exactly sure how they would go about removing anything heavier/larger that's stuck in the duct if there is in fact anything in there. Seems they'd have to push it from the inside out unless it was light enough to where it could be blown out from inside.

Vindicated

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2017, 11:03:02 AM »
Give it a shot.  I bet it would work.  I can't imagine they would charge too much just to blow it out.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2017, 11:24:10 AM »
Give it a shot.  I bet it would work.  I can't imagine they would charge too much just to blow it out.

There's a flat fee of cleaning around $120-130 around where I live between two vendors. The one who I used before doesn't charge extra for "rodent removal" or "water removal" - one company wanted like $50-75 more to remove the rodent and/or water... the entire thing may end up costing closer to $200! That seems pretty high but they supposedly specialize in dryer ducts so I guess they can charge premiums?
The company I used before (who does chimney sweeps, air duct, and dryer duct cleaning) just wants $125 - they would blow out the vent with a heavy-duty shop vac and use a drill vent brush/auger to loosen debris and also try to drag whatever is in there out, and won't charge any more for rodent removal. They even offered to install a screen over the exhaust hood vent opening or, if I want to buy a new vent hood/flap, they could install that for no extra cost provided I buy it. Seems like a pretty good deal to me (if I'm gonna pay anyway).

Speaking of flaps/hoods, if I wanted to replace the one that's on there, what would you guys recommend?:

1) https://www.lowes.com/pd/IMPERIAL-4-in-Dia-Plastic-Louvered-with-Guard-Dryer-Vent-Hood/4753388
2) https://www.amazon.com/Whirlpool-8212662-Flush-Louvered-Flapper/dp/B0049I6LL6/
or
3) https://www.amazon.com/Deflecto-Dryer-Vent-White-RVHAW4/dp/B00DM8L178/

BTW: here's what the current exhaust vent looks like... there's clearance now but before it wasn't nearly as accessible. Not sure why they decided to install it this low:
https://goo.gl/photos/ZDL2A6Z9sfpQRwpk6

I don't even see how it's secured to the side of the building. There are no screws... unless they stuccoed over it?
« Last Edit: March 30, 2017, 12:12:21 PM by jplee3 »

CptCool

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2017, 01:34:47 PM »
If I were you, I'd just get some chicken wire or similar fencing and screw it into the sides of the vent. Make sure the holes in the wire are close enough together that a mouse couldn't squeeze through. That vent is so close to the ground I'm surprised you've never had this rodent issue before.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2017, 02:41:51 PM »
If I were you, I'd just get some chicken wire or similar fencing and screw it into the sides of the vent. Make sure the holes in the wire are close enough together that a mouse couldn't squeeze through. That vent is so close to the ground I'm surprised you've never had this rodent issue before.

Yea, the guy I'm having to come out said he has some screen that he could install over it so he'll probably end up doing that in addition to clearing things out. I'm still planning to try sticking a snake came and fish tape in there tomorrow when I get the cam - just interested to see what's going on it there more than anything.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2017, 03:30:13 PM »
I'm putting my money on mice.

I'll post an update! This is getting me excited... sort of like my little rat expedition but not quite as exciting:
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-(roof-rat)/15/


jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2017, 07:12:13 PM »
Haha I remember that thread!  Can I change my bet to a rat??

Whatever you want :) I should set a bunch of snap traps out there and see what I can get :P

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2017, 08:36:07 PM »
Haha so my FIL thinks it's a cat LOL, I doubt it - the damper is too small and I have no idea how a cat could have fit under the hood (bear in mind, the clearance that is shown in the pictures is only there because I did that - the dirt was closer to the hood before I took the pics)

ShoulderThingThatGoesUp

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #12 on: March 31, 2017, 04:31:53 AM »
Vent isn't expensive. Can you rerun the whole vent higher off the ground and with fewer turns so nothing can crawl in there and you have better air flow?

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #13 on: March 31, 2017, 10:31:21 AM »
JP - I have a vent like the deflecto you linked.  The grid/shield thing is junk and keeps getting filled up with lint.  I had to clean it so many times, I eventually removed it and don't have a critter shield now.  Mine is off the ground high enough so it should be OK.  For your situation, maybe the whirlpool one is best as it vents straight out rather than into the ground, maybe more free flowing, and maybe won't get as much lint trapped.

Thanks. I've never had a huge problem with lint coming out of our exhaust. The last time we had it cleaned out it wasn't really bad (or as bad as I've seen online lol). The main thing here is to prevent critters from getting in there in the first place. I think the guy coming out is probably just going to put a screen on the bottom to prevent this from happening again. But he'll really have to make sure all crevices are blocked off, since mice and small rodents can still squeeze their way through really small cracks.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #14 on: March 31, 2017, 02:51:11 PM »
Well, I stuck the snake cam into the duct but not much luck finding anything substantial... I did see some rodent droppings though - I can't tell for sure but they look like roof rat droppings most likely. They're not tiny but they're not huge either. Was hoping to find a carcass but didn't see anything, unless I missed it.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #15 on: March 31, 2017, 06:05:09 PM »
I win the prize!  Well maybe, results are not 100% conclusive. 

Hot humid air passing over rat droppings might be pretty stinky, especially with some urine in the mix.  Based on other evidence (increased flies), it could still be in there though...

LOL... I'm a bit disappointed. The snake cam was a cheapo $12 one so the quality isn't great and it's not very easy to control as it isn't exactly rigid. I'm wondering if the rat (or mouse) is dead around the bend (where I can't see well). The smell is super strong... I saw what appear to be smaller droppings closer to the laundry room vent location when I checked from there. There's definitely a bunch of lint and crap in there that needs to be loosened and blown out though.

https://goo.gl/photos/eZa76XGi9ooGAnDWA
« Last Edit: March 31, 2017, 06:08:37 PM by jplee3 »

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #16 on: April 01, 2017, 03:54:47 PM »
The duct cleaner is out today working on it. Nothing in sight except he blew out part of a dead lizard which appears to be old and dried out. But he did get a ton of lint out as well. I'm pretty positive what I saw are rat or mouse droppings so it could be that the critter is still alive... I'm planning to stick the cam back up there later after he's done and everything is cleaned up. Wanted to see what things look like anyway.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #17 on: April 02, 2017, 07:07:44 PM »
So after the cleaning and the guy pouring some bleach down, it smelled better but there's still 'remnants' of a smell mixed with bleach. I sent the snake cam back in and it looks a lot cleaner but isn't perfect... in fact, I caught footage of some loose maggots roaming about!! Some appeared dead while others appeared to be on the run or possible feeding on the remains of whatever it was that crawled up and died in there. So while the guy may have blown out part of a dead lizard, it seems something else was likely down there and had died and decomposed... maybe it was the remains of the other part(s) of that lizard and it was just a larger lizard? He said he didn't see any fur come out of the vent which is why he didn't think it was a rodent. I'm pretty certain I saw rat or mouse droppings from the pictures I showed him. I guess I'll just keep using the dryer as normal. If the smell gets really bad again, I'll hit the guy up. I'm wondering if I should send him any of the pictures/footage of the maggots I was able to get though...

https://goo.gl/photos/to1DYvebgRVvRh3Y9

disgusting!

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #18 on: April 02, 2017, 09:01:15 PM »
Just found this:
Deflecto Dryer Duct Cleaning Kit, Extends Up To 12' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IB4BMDQ/

Maybe it will help further as it seems there is still quite a bit of junk in the vent.  Check out the reviews too - some good info about electric blowers/shop bac, etc.

Gross video - thanks for sharing!  I think I'm going to try to clean mine out soon.

I'm considering getting something but I paid the guy $125 to do it... I wonder if I should send him the video and pics and ask him to come back out. His brush seemed smaller than the diameter of the vent, which seems to be at least 4" in diameter.

Currently, if I leave the dryer sitting there's this slightly mildewy smell combined with the bleach smell. It's not very pleasant but it's much better than before.

Moving forward, I may go ahead and get one of those long vent brushes - it would probably be worth the investment. Though, I'd have to get a heavy-duty blower or something since it's such a long vent run.

BTW: does this look larger than a standard 4" diameter dryer vent? It seems his brush was probably 4" but it seems like not all the lint got scraped off per the photos... does this seem normal? I was expecting it to be cleaner than it apparently is.
« Last Edit: April 02, 2017, 09:54:56 PM by jplee3 »

HipGnosis

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #19 on: April 03, 2017, 04:27:45 PM »
I'm beginning to wonder if the source of your smell is in the wall (or under the flooring) and not the dryer duct.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #20 on: April 03, 2017, 09:53:04 PM »
I'm beginning to wonder if the source of your smell is in the wall (or under the flooring) and not the dryer duct.

That's a possibility... though I'm not quite sure what would have recently caused either smell - maybe the rotting carcass scent was masking the mildew smell the whole time. Thing is, there was never any awful smell like this prior to a week or two ago; at least, none that we noticed. We did have flood damage that needed to be resolved over two years ago and there were never any issues after that. Unless one of our neighbors had/has a leak that's going behind the walls? I'm not sure, but it seems the smell is isolated to the duct/vent itself.
« Last Edit: April 03, 2017, 10:00:46 PM by jplee3 »

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #21 on: April 03, 2017, 10:00:05 PM »
The pictures look like a standard vent to me.  You could measure it at either end.  It should be the same size as the pipe coming out of the back of the dryer. 

I also would have expected it to be cleaner after brushing.

It's weird - the duct/vent connection for the dryer is about 4" it seems. I can't get a measurement on the outside exhaust though because the hood isn't removable and the flapper is in the way. I guess I could try to fit something up there to mark it off but it seems like it might be 6" - is there such a thing as a 6" diameter dryer duct/vent? Or would there ever be a use case for something like that? I can't tell from the photos but there's probably some way to scale it to figure out for sure.

I contacted the duct cleaning company and haven't heard back yet but the woman who answered said they will follow-up. I'm probably going to pick up one of those Deflecto brushes regardless (possibly one more if I feel like I want to go longer - it's at least a 20ft run I think). I think the leafblower I have might be sufficient enough to blow gunk out too (it's 240cfm/160mph) - when I used it, my wife definitely saw a bunch of dust fly out. The tricky part would be figuring out how to rig it up so it can just sit on the floor and be left on. I could probably buy a spare vent hose for that purpose. The biggest concern with the duct brush is getting around those two 90 degree bends before the straight shot to the exhaust
« Last Edit: April 03, 2017, 10:04:16 PM by jplee3 »

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #22 on: April 03, 2017, 10:17:23 PM »
We had a similar situation. Sometimes the smell is hard to pinpoint. Thought it was the washer at first too - pulled it out and that wasn't it. Then we thought it was the pipes leading up to the main floor bathroom. Ran the water awhile in the tub, the shower. Sniffed some more. Ceiling was open and nothing in sight, but there was a bulkhead that we couldn't see past, so on the outside of the laundry room my husband even sawed a small hole in the pine tongue and groove ceiling - still nothing.

Frustrated we just kept trying to pinpoint until - I had a thought and sniffed lower down on the wall near the light switch and OH BOY. Found it! Removed the plate and there it was - a mouse had crammed itself into the receptacle and had tried to chew the wires and got zapped. Disgusting! But once we removed it, smell dissipated quickly. So, check around the entire area and not just in the duct, especially if the smell isn't going away.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #23 on: April 03, 2017, 10:21:54 PM »
We had a similar situation. Sometimes the smell is hard to pinpoint. Thought it was the washer at first too - pulled it out and that wasn't it. Then we thought it was the pipes leading up to the main floor bathroom. Ran the water awhile in the tub, the shower. Sniffed some more. Ceiling was open and nothing in sight, but there was a bulkhead that we couldn't see past, so on the outside of the laundry room my husband even sawed a small hole in the pine tongue and groove ceiling - still nothing.

Frustrated we just kept trying to pinpoint until - I had a thought and sniffed lower down on the wall near the light switch and OH BOY. Found it! Removed the plate and there it was - a mouse had crammed itself into the receptacle and had tried to chew the wires and got zapped. Disgusting! But once we removed it, smell dissipated quickly. So, check around the entire area and not just in the duct, especially if the smell isn't going away.

Wow, sounds pretty gross! In my case, the dead carcass smell seems to have dissipated but now there's this mildewy smell. I know mildewy smells can come from lint that's still stuck in the vent, so I'm guessing that might be what the problem is, judging from the snake cam images. Aside from that though, the fact that there are maggots crawling around in there is pretty disgusting and unsettling. I think eventually over time the smell will likely diminish and go away, but it seems like there's a faster way to resolve it. First, I need to try to get the duct cleaning company back out to do a second run. I feel like this is probably something I could do better myself (and it's at least worth a shot attempting to DIY moving forward).

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #24 on: April 04, 2017, 03:53:09 PM »
Give it a shot.  I bet it would work.  I can't imagine they would charge too much just to blow it out.

There's a flat fee of cleaning around $120-130 around where I live between two vendors. The one who I used before doesn't charge extra for "rodent removal" or "water removal" - one company wanted like $50-75 more to remove the rodent and/or water... the entire thing may end up costing closer to $200! That seems pretty high but they supposedly specialize in dryer ducts so I guess they can charge premiums?
The company I used before (who does chimney sweeps, air duct, and dryer duct cleaning) just wants $125 - they would blow out the vent with a heavy-duty shop vac and use a drill vent brush/auger to loosen debris and also try to drag whatever is in there out, and won't charge any more for rodent removal. They even offered to install a screen over the exhaust hood vent opening or, if I want to buy a new vent hood/flap, they could install that for no extra cost provided I buy it. Seems like a pretty good deal to me (if I'm gonna pay anyway).

Speaking of flaps/hoods, if I wanted to replace the one that's on there, what would you guys recommend?:

1) https://www.lowes.com/pd/IMPERIAL-4-in-Dia-Plastic-Louvered-with-Guard-Dryer-Vent-Hood/4753388
2) https://www.amazon.com/Whirlpool-8212662-Flush-Louvered-Flapper/dp/B0049I6LL6/
or
3) https://www.amazon.com/Deflecto-Dryer-Vent-White-RVHAW4/dp/B00DM8L178/

BTW: here's what the current exhaust vent looks like... there's clearance now but before it wasn't nearly as accessible. Not sure why they decided to install it this low:
https://goo.gl/photos/ZDL2A6Z9sfpQRwpk6

I don't even see how it's secured to the side of the building. There are no screws... unless they stuccoed over it?
.

Gross.

With that little ground clearance, I'd be very surprised if rainwater hasn't gotten in there and caused rot. Here in the PNW that kind of design would flood.

Regardless of what else you do, I'd put in a little egress around the vent. These are usually used for basement windows that are below grade, but the idea would be the same for your vent. You need to get more space around and below the vent to allow for better drainage. This will also make it harder for things to crawl into it. I'd still get some mesh around it though.

Just dig out the area around the vent. You probably want at least 12" on either side and below the vent. Put an egress window well or even some garden barrier inside the hole to keep it from collapsing and filling back in. Then backfill the hole with several inches of drainage gravel.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #25 on: April 04, 2017, 04:14:22 PM »
Give it a shot.  I bet it would work.  I can't imagine they would charge too much just to blow it out.

There's a flat fee of cleaning around $120-130 around where I live between two vendors. The one who I used before doesn't charge extra for "rodent removal" or "water removal" - one company wanted like $50-75 more to remove the rodent and/or water... the entire thing may end up costing closer to $200! That seems pretty high but they supposedly specialize in dryer ducts so I guess they can charge premiums?
The company I used before (who does chimney sweeps, air duct, and dryer duct cleaning) just wants $125 - they would blow out the vent with a heavy-duty shop vac and use a drill vent brush/auger to loosen debris and also try to drag whatever is in there out, and won't charge any more for rodent removal. They even offered to install a screen over the exhaust hood vent opening or, if I want to buy a new vent hood/flap, they could install that for no extra cost provided I buy it. Seems like a pretty good deal to me (if I'm gonna pay anyway).

Speaking of flaps/hoods, if I wanted to replace the one that's on there, what would you guys recommend?:

1) https://www.lowes.com/pd/IMPERIAL-4-in-Dia-Plastic-Louvered-with-Guard-Dryer-Vent-Hood/4753388
2) https://www.amazon.com/Whirlpool-8212662-Flush-Louvered-Flapper/dp/B0049I6LL6/
or
3) https://www.amazon.com/Deflecto-Dryer-Vent-White-RVHAW4/dp/B00DM8L178/

BTW: here's what the current exhaust vent looks like... there's clearance now but before it wasn't nearly as accessible. Not sure why they decided to install it this low:
https://goo.gl/photos/ZDL2A6Z9sfpQRwpk6

I don't even see how it's secured to the side of the building. There are no screws... unless they stuccoed over it?
.

Gross.

With that little ground clearance, I'd be very surprised if rainwater hasn't gotten in there and caused rot. Here in the PNW that kind of design would flood.

Regardless of what else you do, I'd put in a little egress around the vent. These are usually used for basement windows that are below grade, but the idea would be the same for your vent. You need to get more space around and below the vent to allow for better drainage. This will also make it harder for things to crawl into it. I'd still get some mesh around it though.

Just dig out the area around the vent. You probably want at least 12" on either side and below the vent. Put an egress window well or even some garden barrier inside the hole to keep it from collapsing and filling back in. Then backfill the hole with several inches of drainage gravel.

So I noticed the landscapers did dig more out from around the vent. Putting gravel there is a good idea so maybe I'll do that. The duct guy said feels strongly against putting a screen over because of the fact that it will cause a backup of lint. He also said he wouldn't even know how to replace the hood and damper that are currently installed - it looks like one of these: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CMI-4-in-dia-Galvanized-Steel-R2-Exhaust-Dryer-Vent-Hood/3610412 - I wouldn't even begin to know how to rip the existing one out. Since it's an HOA common wall, I don't know that I'd want to even try either...

I may do as you said and dig even deeper before filling with gravel. Putting a removable mesh/chicken wire screen doesn't seem like a half bad idea either despite the concerns of the duct guy. As long as I make sure to do a regular cleaning (probably bi-annual) on it.

TrMama

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #26 on: April 04, 2017, 04:47:45 PM »
Give it a shot.  I bet it would work.  I can't imagine they would charge too much just to blow it out.

There's a flat fee of cleaning around $120-130 around where I live between two vendors. The one who I used before doesn't charge extra for "rodent removal" or "water removal" - one company wanted like $50-75 more to remove the rodent and/or water... the entire thing may end up costing closer to $200! That seems pretty high but they supposedly specialize in dryer ducts so I guess they can charge premiums?
The company I used before (who does chimney sweeps, air duct, and dryer duct cleaning) just wants $125 - they would blow out the vent with a heavy-duty shop vac and use a drill vent brush/auger to loosen debris and also try to drag whatever is in there out, and won't charge any more for rodent removal. They even offered to install a screen over the exhaust hood vent opening or, if I want to buy a new vent hood/flap, they could install that for no extra cost provided I buy it. Seems like a pretty good deal to me (if I'm gonna pay anyway).

Speaking of flaps/hoods, if I wanted to replace the one that's on there, what would you guys recommend?:

1) https://www.lowes.com/pd/IMPERIAL-4-in-Dia-Plastic-Louvered-with-Guard-Dryer-Vent-Hood/4753388
2) https://www.amazon.com/Whirlpool-8212662-Flush-Louvered-Flapper/dp/B0049I6LL6/
or
3) https://www.amazon.com/Deflecto-Dryer-Vent-White-RVHAW4/dp/B00DM8L178/

BTW: here's what the current exhaust vent looks like... there's clearance now but before it wasn't nearly as accessible. Not sure why they decided to install it this low:
https://goo.gl/photos/ZDL2A6Z9sfpQRwpk6

I don't even see how it's secured to the side of the building. There are no screws... unless they stuccoed over it?
.

Gross.

With that little ground clearance, I'd be very surprised if rainwater hasn't gotten in there and caused rot. Here in the PNW that kind of design would flood.

Regardless of what else you do, I'd put in a little egress around the vent. These are usually used for basement windows that are below grade, but the idea would be the same for your vent. You need to get more space around and below the vent to allow for better drainage. This will also make it harder for things to crawl into it. I'd still get some mesh around it though.

Just dig out the area around the vent. You probably want at least 12" on either side and below the vent. Put an egress window well or even some garden barrier inside the hole to keep it from collapsing and filling back in. Then backfill the hole with several inches of drainage gravel.

So I noticed the landscapers did dig more out from around the vent. Putting gravel there is a good idea so maybe I'll do that. The duct guy said feels strongly against putting a screen over because of the fact that it will cause a backup of lint. He also said he wouldn't even know how to replace the hood and damper that are currently installed - it looks like one of these: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CMI-4-in-dia-Galvanized-Steel-R2-Exhaust-Dryer-Vent-Hood/3610412 - I wouldn't even begin to know how to rip the existing one out. Since it's an HOA common wall, I don't know that I'd want to even try either...

I may do as you said and dig even deeper before filling with gravel. Putting a removable mesh/chicken wire screen doesn't seem like a half bad idea either despite the concerns of the duct guy. As long as I make sure to do a regular cleaning (probably bi-annual) on it.

You need to get something around that vent to keep critters out though. I was thinking of a guard that goes around the entire vent. Like these, https://www.cjshearthandhome.com/chimney-vent-guards

I'd also alert the HOA that there is a pest problem and there are likely other stupidly designed vents on the building that need egresses and guards too.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #27 on: April 04, 2017, 05:03:31 PM »
Give it a shot.  I bet it would work.  I can't imagine they would charge too much just to blow it out.

There's a flat fee of cleaning around $120-130 around where I live between two vendors. The one who I used before doesn't charge extra for "rodent removal" or "water removal" - one company wanted like $50-75 more to remove the rodent and/or water... the entire thing may end up costing closer to $200! That seems pretty high but they supposedly specialize in dryer ducts so I guess they can charge premiums?
The company I used before (who does chimney sweeps, air duct, and dryer duct cleaning) just wants $125 - they would blow out the vent with a heavy-duty shop vac and use a drill vent brush/auger to loosen debris and also try to drag whatever is in there out, and won't charge any more for rodent removal. They even offered to install a screen over the exhaust hood vent opening or, if I want to buy a new vent hood/flap, they could install that for no extra cost provided I buy it. Seems like a pretty good deal to me (if I'm gonna pay anyway).

Speaking of flaps/hoods, if I wanted to replace the one that's on there, what would you guys recommend?:

1) https://www.lowes.com/pd/IMPERIAL-4-in-Dia-Plastic-Louvered-with-Guard-Dryer-Vent-Hood/4753388
2) https://www.amazon.com/Whirlpool-8212662-Flush-Louvered-Flapper/dp/B0049I6LL6/
or
3) https://www.amazon.com/Deflecto-Dryer-Vent-White-RVHAW4/dp/B00DM8L178/

BTW: here's what the current exhaust vent looks like... there's clearance now but before it wasn't nearly as accessible. Not sure why they decided to install it this low:
https://goo.gl/photos/ZDL2A6Z9sfpQRwpk6

I don't even see how it's secured to the side of the building. There are no screws... unless they stuccoed over it?
.

Gross.

With that little ground clearance, I'd be very surprised if rainwater hasn't gotten in there and caused rot. Here in the PNW that kind of design would flood.

Regardless of what else you do, I'd put in a little egress around the vent. These are usually used for basement windows that are below grade, but the idea would be the same for your vent. You need to get more space around and below the vent to allow for better drainage. This will also make it harder for things to crawl into it. I'd still get some mesh around it though.

Just dig out the area around the vent. You probably want at least 12" on either side and below the vent. Put an egress window well or even some garden barrier inside the hole to keep it from collapsing and filling back in. Then backfill the hole with several inches of drainage gravel.

So I noticed the landscapers did dig more out from around the vent. Putting gravel there is a good idea so maybe I'll do that. The duct guy said feels strongly against putting a screen over because of the fact that it will cause a backup of lint. He also said he wouldn't even know how to replace the hood and damper that are currently installed - it looks like one of these: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CMI-4-in-dia-Galvanized-Steel-R2-Exhaust-Dryer-Vent-Hood/3610412 - I wouldn't even begin to know how to rip the existing one out. Since it's an HOA common wall, I don't know that I'd want to even try either...

I may do as you said and dig even deeper before filling with gravel. Putting a removable mesh/chicken wire screen doesn't seem like a half bad idea either despite the concerns of the duct guy. As long as I make sure to do a regular cleaning (probably bi-annual) on it.

You need to get something around that vent to keep critters out though. I was thinking of a guard that goes around the entire vent. Like these, https://www.cjshearthandhome.com/chimney-vent-guards

I'd also alert the HOA that there is a pest problem and there are likely other stupidly designed vents on the building that need egresses and guards too.

Makes sense - in terms of putting something to surround the entire vent. I may look into that. My HOA is dumb - they won't accept responsibility for the outside vent (or the stupid design of it). They want nothing to do with it and claim that because it's connected to the duct, which is 'interior' it's still homeowner responsibility. Lame. The most they could do is tell the landscapers to dig out dirt around the area and also alerted the pest control company to check the area.

CptCool

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #28 on: April 05, 2017, 08:12:46 AM »
Those vent guards are meant to keep out squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, etc - they won't stop mice from squeezing through. I'd highly recommend the mesh instead of those pre-made guards.

However, if you dig a 12" hole around it then the mice likely won't be climbing into it anymore, so the pre-made guard would likely be sufficient

TrMama

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #29 on: April 05, 2017, 11:03:40 AM »
My HOA is dumb - they won't accept responsibility for the outside vent (or the stupid design of it). They want nothing to do with it and claim that because it's connected to the duct, which is 'interior' it's still homeowner responsibility. Lame. The most they could do is tell the landscapers to dig out dirt around the area and also alerted the pest control company to check the area.

I highly recommend getting on the HOA committee yourself. Highly recommend. Then you can be the one to make the rules. My parents have employed this strategy to great effect.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #30 on: April 09, 2017, 12:27:53 PM »
Those vent guards are meant to keep out squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, etc - they won't stop mice from squeezing through. I'd highly recommend the mesh instead of those pre-made guards.

However, if you dig a 12" hole around it then the mice likely won't be climbing into it anymore, so the pre-made guard would likely be sufficient

I'll probably work towards doing that over a weekend. Dig a hole out and maybe line with gravel and bricks or something.

My HOA is dumb - they won't accept responsibility for the outside vent (or the stupid design of it). They want nothing to do with it and claim that because it's connected to the duct, which is 'interior' it's still homeowner responsibility. Lame. The most they could do is tell the landscapers to dig out dirt around the area and also alerted the pest control company to check the area.

I highly recommend getting on the HOA committee yourself. Highly recommend. Then you can be the one to make the rules. My parents have employed this strategy to great effect.

I never thought of this... I know there are quite a few people in the community who are vocal about things though, and it seems like it can get real political. Like one of those things where I might regret having done it and asked myself why lol. In any case, I've gotten sick of being part of an HOA so am more open to moving elsewhere especially since I'm WFH full-time currently.


UPDATE: we had the duct cleaner come back out on Friday and this time he took a compressor gun and sprayed/misted bleach through the duct. He also ran his brush through but not the entire length. I saw more stuff/dust fly out of the vent but not a ton. I put the camera back in there after and no more maggots (as far as I could tell) but there was still a good amount of lint in there. I read that those dryer sheets can leave a sticky residue so I'm wondering if this is the cause behind lint not coming out as easily (because it's stuck to the walls). Anyway, the mildew smell is still present from the dryer and vent so not sure what the deal is. I just ordered a couple of those Deflecto brushes and may see if I can DIY more thoroughly - I'm guessing it's not going to make much of a difference though. We'll see...
« Last Edit: April 09, 2017, 12:32:27 PM by jplee3 »

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #31 on: April 11, 2017, 05:22:12 PM »
Quick update: I got the deflecto brush kit today and decided to put it down from the laundry room just to see if I could get past the bends. The good news: I can!

The bad news: I didn't realize you need a drill with a standard chuck (non-quick release) so now I need to find a drill. Also, while I was sticking the brush down there manually by hand, and trying to turn it, I discovered that it is WET (the rods had moist nasty smelling crap on them as I was dragging them back up - THAT's where the mildew smell is coming from!). I don't know if that would have been a result of the bleach being poured down (it's hard to think it could be that) or if it's just damp in there from residual moisture or water from something else... hopefully not a hole where water has seeped in!

In any case, I hooked the leaf blower back up and sealed the vent with duct tape around it and blew, and a little ball of gunk flew out of the exhaust. So I know there's more crap in there... I just don't know what to make of why it's WET inside the vent. My wife thinks the duct cleaner made it worse but if bleach were to accumulate like that and just sit in the vent, would it cause that kind of smell? Or could another explanation be that he poured a *diluted* solution into the vent with part water, and the bleach evaporated/wore-off while the residual water remained damp, causing the mildew smell?

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #32 on: April 11, 2017, 10:02:27 PM »
That is a bit weird, and moist lint will stick to the sides badly.  One reason it could be moist is if you ran the dryer with wet clothes and didn't dry them completely?  At the beginning of a dry cycle the air blowing through the vent is pretty moist.

That's a good point - we finished drying a load earlier but all the clothes that came out were dry. It is a very long duct run (I'd guess closer to 30 feet with several bends), so it doesn't seem like airflow is that great. I've been turning the leaf blower on every now and and letting it run for about 5 mins at a time. Hopefully that's helping dry things out a bit. I plan to go in with the brush from the outside tomorrow while the leaf blower is running and seeing if I can get any more crap out. I've heard those dryer sheets cause a buildup of sticky residue as well, and we have used dryer sheets quite a bit for years (planning on stopping that effective immediately) so I'm wondering if that could also be the cause behind the lint sticking in places.

ShoulderThingThatGoesUp

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #33 on: April 12, 2017, 04:52:13 AM »
There's no way to start from scratch on a better-arranged dryer duct?

TrMama

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #34 on: April 12, 2017, 11:05:36 AM »
There's no way to start from scratch on a better-arranged dryer duct?

This. I would also bet several internet dollars that you've gotten rain water inside both the duct and the structure around the duct because the outside part of the vent is at ground level. Whatever has gotten wet in there is likely moldy and needs to be ripped out and replaced.

Just Joe

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #35 on: April 12, 2017, 11:56:14 AM »
Is your dryer duct rigid or the flexible plastic or foil hose? We had the foil hose and it was lined with lint. I replaced it with the rigid and the air flow speed went way up. Clothes dried faster. Easier to clean. Not expensive to buy the parts.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #36 on: April 12, 2017, 03:20:37 PM »
There's no way to start from scratch on a better-arranged dryer duct?

Unfortunately not to my knowledge. At least, not where it would require major demo (pulling up carpet and possibly jack-hammering). We're on a bottom floor unit condo and they ran the duct UNDER the flooring! I don't know if they perhaps laid boarding or metal coverings over the pipe run or if they back filled the trench with cement or something. We did have our carpet pulled out a couple years ago to deal with some flooding but I didn't observe or look for the duct run at the time.

This. I would also bet several internet dollars that you've gotten rain water inside both the duct and the structure around the duct because the outside part of the vent is at ground level. Whatever has gotten wet in there is likely moldy and needs to be ripped out and replaced.

That might be true, though it hasn't rained around here in a while. Who knows - if just a little seeped in it could cause the smell? The thing is, it's a 30ft run (the two deflecto brush kits I got are 24' in length and there's still 5ft left from where the brush is to the exhaust!) - unless the thing is sloping back towards/under the unit most of the stagnant water, I would think, would probably just pool near the exhaust/exit. I did stick a cam in there and saw nothing from the outside. In fact, it seemed like most, if any, dampness was closer to the laundry room around where the bends are. I haven't been able to get an image of one section that's between two 90 degree bends so I'm hoping there's not like a hole or something like that...

Is your dryer duct rigid or the flexible plastic or foil hose? We had the foil hose and it was lined with lint. I replaced it with the rigid and the air flow speed went way up. Clothes dried faster. Easier to clean. Not expensive to buy the parts.
It's rigid - I suspect because it's going underground, especially, that they made it rigid. Mind you, I don't think the duct was regularly cleaned out before I moved in in 2007, and I certainly didn't have it cleaned out until 2014. Odd that this issue would have just cropped up now after all these years. But I guess that's how it is with a lot of things...

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #37 on: April 12, 2017, 03:50:01 PM »
Did I understand that this duct runs in the soil underneath the concrete?

My parent's HVAC returns were plumbed like this.  I don't have a clue how they make the duct work water tight, but I know that over time ground water did leak into their HVAC returns.  It wasn't a huge amount, but enough to give a damp smell.  After a rain you could sometimes see a little at the bottom.   Now... if I were pushing a bunch of dryer fluff through this damp stuff... it does seem like it would get awfully stuck to the sides.  That stuff does turn into some sort of paper-mache when it gets wet.


jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #38 on: April 12, 2017, 07:59:15 PM »
Did I understand that this duct runs in the soil underneath the concrete?

My parent's HVAC returns were plumbed like this.  I don't have a clue how they make the duct work water tight, but I know that over time ground water did leak into their HVAC returns.  It wasn't a huge amount, but enough to give a damp smell.  After a rain you could sometimes see a little at the bottom.   Now... if I were pushing a bunch of dryer fluff through this damp stuff... it does seem like it would get awfully stuck to the sides.  That stuff does turn into some sort of paper-mache when it gets wet.

I'm not sure if it's in the soil or if they poured a concrete trench (or if it's sandwiched between concrete with soil underneath). I can't tell but it seems like part of the duct work might be PVC (black). It's really too dark to tell though. You're right though - there's still lint in there that's stuck to the pipe like "paper-mache"

I blew some baking soda into the duct using the leaf blower but I'm not sure how much that's going to make a difference. Guess I'll just have to live with it... ugh

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #39 on: April 13, 2017, 10:31:18 AM »
I've also asked my upstairs neighbor if they've had any leaks or issues with mildew and she said there were no leaks but she is having a plumber come out to double-check. I'm pretty sure it's coming from our dryer duct but I guess it doesn't hurt to have the neighbor check since she's willing to - we had another issue with them leaking after a major remodel where the contractor forgot to seal part of the bathtub up there, so I think she's sort of 'at our mercy' when it comes to any potential water damage. Living above someone, it seems you have to take that into account either way.

ShoulderThingThatGoesUp

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #40 on: April 13, 2017, 10:39:42 AM »
You don't have to take the old duct out to run a new one. Obviously I don't know your floor plan, but there's no it could go through a soffit to a well-above-grade vent?

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #41 on: April 13, 2017, 11:33:54 AM »
You don't have to take the old duct out to run a new one. Obviously I don't know your floor plan, but there's no it could go through a soffit to a well-above-grade vent?

This is true but it would probably require a pretty intensive amount of construction still... we have common/shared walls with a neighbor next to us and there's the neighbor above us. I think their vent exits in a similar way out the side of the building (but since it's high up off the ground it's probably not as problematic). I *suppose* this could be done but it seems like multiple walls would have be torn open in addition to HOA and neighbor approval - not sure this would be an ideal situation especially since it's a multiplex type of setup. We are a corner unit so if the W/D setup was against an outside wall that wasn't shared/common then we wouldn't have this problem at all. It's just a piss-poor design. Another weird thing they did in the yard was erect 5-6ft walls surrounding the backyard patio with no door. So if there's a fire and your garage and front entry doors are blocked, you can go out the back but will have to jump the wall to get to safety. There are a lot more stupid things about this condo I'm probably missing... of course, these are the things you learn and take notice of *after* years of living in such a place.
« Last Edit: April 13, 2017, 11:36:27 AM by jplee3 »

chris316

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #42 on: April 16, 2017, 09:12:12 AM »
I've read through this and gets what I've noticed...

-First off that camera Is bitching... $12?!?! Awesome grab...
-the dryer vent after the pro came and cleared it still looks like there is a ton of lint and crap still in there... I would highly consider replacement not only for maintenance(you're gonna keep having issues) but safety, you don't want a fire to start in there...
-that said I would redirect it so the air flow and water issue (these are big issues that could become worse in the future) would also be addressed with that.
-I would want to get on the chair of your HOA so you have more say in these things or similar things... it sounds like no one's taken a responsible caring role that is watching out for the home owners... and seems like you're a caring person to help your situation and everyone else out as well... the pay in any HOA isn't cheap and I'd want to make sure every penny I put to it is working hard for me in return...
« Last Edit: April 16, 2017, 09:15:14 AM by chris316 »

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #43 on: April 16, 2017, 02:06:17 PM »
I've read through this and gets what I've noticed...

-First off that camera Is bitching... $12?!?! Awesome grab...
-the dryer vent after the pro came and cleared it still looks like there is a ton of lint and crap still in there... I would highly consider replacement not only for maintenance(you're gonna keep having issues) but safety, you don't want a fire to start in there...
-that said I would redirect it so the air flow and water issue (these are big issues that could become worse in the future) would also be addressed with that.
-I would want to get on the chair of your HOA so you have more say in these things or similar things... it sounds like no one's taken a responsible caring role that is watching out for the home owners... and seems like you're a caring person to help your situation and everyone else out as well... the pay in any HOA isn't cheap and I'd want to make sure every penny I put to it is working hard for me in return...


Haha yea it's an awesome little camera albeit you do need to modify by adding a small flashlight to make it useful in most situations. It gets the job done though. I'm sure I'll be using it for many other things (maybe not colonoscopies though LOL)

I was actually going to post an update on the progress - after getting a couple Deflecto kits and running the brush through the vent myself along with using the leaf blower and also blow some baking soda through, I've noticed the smell has died down A LOT. I think I was able to brush and dry out any or all of the nasty wet spots in the vent for that matter. I just checked (after running a load overnight and letting it sit in there since there) and there's barely any mildew smell anymore, so I think we're mostly in the clear *knocks on wood*

I'm probably going to run the brush through the vent more often (at least annually but perhaps every six months). I should probably pick-up a cheapo $20-30 drill for this purpose since I had to borrow one with a keyless chuck.

As far as the HOA, I suppose I could try - I'm co-owner with my parents so I'm not even sure what the rules/stipulations are for being on the board. But the more I think about it, the more I'd rather just move out of this place and into a SFH that's not part of a stupid HOA... besides being expensive, it's quite annoying and I'd rather not have to deal with any of it.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer duct - awful smell: rodent?
« Reply #44 on: April 19, 2017, 05:04:27 PM »
I started digging a small egress around the vent area and am running into roots from the nearby birds of paradise and eucalyptus trees - it's ugly and I may need to borrow/get a reciprocating saw to take care of those (I went through a similar ordeal when clearing out our backyard several years ago).

Any ideas as far as what kind of material I could install to 'retain' the walls before pouring gravel in? Maybe just a few of these? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Pavestone-12-in-x-12-in-Red-Concrete-Step-Stone-71251/100333084

Is there anything else I'd want to do to make sure whatever I put there *sets* in place?

I dunno but I feel like I should be getting HOA approval to do this. I already contacted mgmt to have them 'clear' out the space around the vent. They barely did anything, so I could just argue that this is what the landscapers did :P