blech

[wombat1138]

So having replaced the above-floor portions of our dryer vent, I ran a few more loads of laundry over the weekend with little improvement-- I may also have to get someone to check whether the washing-machine pump is functioning properly, as clothes have been coming out much soggier to start with. But the dryer still wasn't getting clothes dry, despite generating an odd off-scent which I can only describe as smelling "hot"-- not smoky exactly, just, I dunno. So this morning, I finally strapped on the kneepads, elbowpads, helmet, and headlight to go spelunking around in the crawlspace with an all-purpose screwdriver in my pocket.

I'll skip all the detailed ickiness to summarize that the flexible vent hose had managed to accumulate at least a gallon of water in its assorted downward loops between the hanger straps that tacked it up to the support beams. The water, of course, was blocking air outflow while trapping all of the incoming dryer lint and providing a habitat for microscopic critters to grow into macroscopic clumps. Ewww.

So now I get to contemplate how to install a proper straight-sided replacement duct in 3-5' segments, not to mention drag out the monstrous snake-corpses of soggy ex-duct. Not looking forward to it, but it's gotta be done.