We get phone calls all the time from people who live in the Phoenix area in houses less than a year old, complaining that their dryer keeps shutting off due to an error code. The code on the dryer tells them that the dryer vent line is clogged and needs cleaned. How can this be when the house and the vent line are brand new?

Most of the time, the issue is not a clogged dryer vent line; it’s the screen on the vent cap itself that has trapped  lint and prevented it from blowing out of the vent line.

It is written on the vent itself “If used for dryer vents remove screen” but most contractors don’t know what the vent will be used for and they disregard it. 

So, if you live in a newer house and the clothes dryer isn’t working properly and you can’t believe the dryer vent line can be plugged this soon, chances are it’s a plugged screen.

When our technicians get on the roof and locate the vent, they remove the screen. It is packed with lint and has prevented any air from escaping, causing the dryer to shut off or not dry properly. The vent line itself is usually clean.