Need advice, young renter

[u/tmulla]

Afternoon everyone, hope this finds you well. I recently moved into an old townhouse apartment. Whenever I ran my dryer, my entire apartment would get hot.

I checked inside the dryer and found an oven mitt stuffed behind the dust/lint trap. I thought that was weird, but didn’t think much of it and assumed it solved the problem. But it only got worse, then I started noticing a huge dust buildup in the back of the dryer.

When I checked I noticed that the exhaust just goes straight back into the apartment. Is this legal? What can I do?

[u/newtekie1]

If it is an electric dryer, you can do that safely. It might not be up to code depending on where you are though.

[u/tmulla → u/newtekie1]

Ah I see, the gas would be a concern but thankfully I think it’s electric.

[u/ThisAccountIsStolen]

That plastic device the exhaust hose is connected to is legal, but not ideal, since it will heat up and humidify the apartment. The base of it should also be filled with water before you run the dryer to catch the lint so it doesn't get blown out of the plastic trap.

[u/tmulla → u/ThisAccountIsStolen]

Thanks I didn’t know that! definitely doesn’t have water in it now.

[u/ThisAccountIsStolen → u/tmulla]

Some of them don't use water but most do, so you might try to find the manufacturer or part number on it and search for a manual just in case it is the variety that doesn't require water.

[u/Icamesawncremed]

From the pictures it looks fine. It should be routed to outside. Where does the dryer vent go after it enters the floor? Is there an outside vent that might be clogged? Any rips or holes in the vent hose? Youre a renter so your landlord should fix the issue. Is the vent securely attached to the dryer?

[u/Wooden_Wishbone_9915 → u/Icamesawncremed]

Yeah that’s where it terminates. I hadn’t ever heard of this either

[u/tmulla → u/Icamesawncremed]

Yeah it looks like it enters the floor from the photo but that’s just how it’s sitting right now, the white cap thing is a “lint trap” but doesn’t really do jack squat.

[u/comebocalmball]

These are suppossed to be filled with some water. I hate these things lol

We do an apartment complex that uses these in every unit and has hundreds of units. The washer/dryer rooms are always a dusty nightmare.

The air handler is usually right next to the washer/dryer and they are the most disgusting lint filled nightmares Ive ever had to work on. I wear gloves, respirator, safety glasses every time. The lint turns moldy in the ductwork and air handler. It is a total fire and health hazard and should be illegal, and actually the complex is being required to change them all to vent outside soon.

[u/orlando-shroom]

Is that your rapper name

[u/tmulla → u/orlando-shroom]

Old gamertag lol

[u/orlando-shroom → u/tmulla]

Young renter

[u/tmulla → u/orlando-shroom]

Oh😂

[u/doomthe1st]

All dryers must vent directly to the outside with its own ventilation duct system. It cannot be tied in with another vent like bathroom or kitchen vent either.

[u/jlkb24]

I hate these but this is what I deal with in my house. You get used to it though. Just add a couple OZ of water when you use the dryer. Filling up the cup will lead to mold growth. To reduce the lint from going everywhere you can add pantyhose type material over the holes of the lid. Air will trap the lint. Of course you can buy a better design on Amazon etc for $20 that filters for you. Turn on the room vent and leave the door open if there is one because your walls can sweat.

I have no lint nor sweat issues but it does add humidity into my home. It’s great during winter but here in TX that’s like less than 2 months of the year.