I was cleaning my dryer vent ductwork from the outside using a flexible rod with the brush attachment, and the last segment of the rod broke off and left the brush stuck inside the duct tube exactly 14 ft upstream from the outside. I can't push it out with another rod/spare brush from inside the house, because there is a 90 degree hard pipe elbow from inside the house, thus I can't push anything through from the inside.

So I have two questions:

1. Any ideas on how to get that dam stuck brush out of the duct ? Note: I can't go underneath the house and disconnect it manually, I'm not well enough to do it.

2. I've called a half dozen hvac and mechanical companies in my area, and none of them will touch it. I guess there's not enough money in helping me out, though they are being stupid since I don't have a regular HVAC contract and I have three separate heat pump systems for a large house.

3. If HVAC companies don't do dryer duct type work, who does ? I may need a more direct route, ie, a whole new pipe and route, since the existing route is too long and convoluted. I can't believe there is no company that would like to clear the existing jam and advise me on a better route for a whole brand new line.

Any advice appreciated

Plummer? Or Handyman.

Seems like a good ask for a handyman in the nextdoor app

Would an electricans fish tape work? Push the tape through the duster head to the other end. Attach something larger to the fish tape and pull it back out.

Is the vent blocked to a point that you could or could not vacuum a string past the obstruction then tie something to the string that would allow you to drag the blockage back to you? Or can you blow it out with a leaf blower?

quote:

Originally posted by gpbst3:
Would an electricans fish tape work? Push the tape through the duster head to the other end. Attach something larger to the fish tape and pull it back out.

I'd try this, especially if you have the non-metallic type.

Tape a hook made from a wire coat hanger onto the end of the broken flexible rod and fish the brush attachment out. It may take a few tries, but there should be plenty to hook onto.

I'd probably drag out the good old plumber's snake, the one with the grabber end on it. By "grabber" I mean an open spring kind of thing, should be able to hook onto the brush, or on an attached part.

quote:

Originally posted by clang:
Tape a hook made from a wire coat hanger onto the end of the broken flexible rod and fish the brush attachment out. It may take a few tries, but there should be plenty to hook onto.

That would be my first try.

Call an Appliance repair place. They often clear dryer ducts.

Find a Duct cleaning service, they do dryer vent cleaning as well as whole house, Groupon, you local flyer we all get in the mail with listed services etc.

HVAC companies don't normally mess with dryer venting.

An appliance company is who you need to be contacting.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
HVAC companies don't normally mess with dryer venting.

An appliance company is who you need to be contacting.

Or a chimney sweep.

Around here, chimney sweeps are the ones who handle dryer vent cleaning and repairs.

What's your location wrightd? Maybe a fine member could help you out.

Also what is your duct made of?
Is it a flexible piece of metalicized pipe? Is so , it would be better to have it replaced. Code requires metal rigid pipe and this is what you should have.

I'm pretty sure it's rigid pipe. I just bought a steel fish tape to try as gpbst3 suggested. I'm just thinking exactly WHAT to use as the "larger" item to attach to the end of the tape loop. Washcloth ? Maybe, but it could get wedged. I dunno. Needs more thought since if I wedge it alongside the obstruction, then I'll have THREE obstructions all colocated, aka co-jammed. How could something so simple get so complicated ?

Maybe drop one of these down with some paracord and maybe it makes it through and past the bristles, and the triangle shape will act as a barb and you can pull the brush out.

Or even a fishing hook might snag it just right.

quote:

Originally posted by Nismo:
Maybe drop one of these down with some paracord and maybe it makes it through and past the bristles, and the triangle shape will act as a barb and you can pull the brush out.

Or even a fishing hook might snag it just right.

One of what, exactly ? I like the paracord idea, but a paracord WHAT widget thing exactly ?

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:

quote:

Originally posted by Nismo:
Maybe drop one of these down with some paracord and maybe it makes it through and past the bristles, and the triangle shape will act as a barb and you can pull the brush out.

Or even a fishing hook might snag it just right.

One of what, exactly ? I like the paracord idea, but a paracord WHAT widget thing exactly ?

I posted a picture of a triangle lead fishing sinker weight.

Maybe try something like one of these?

take a large trebble fishing hook and attach it to the electrical snake and maybe be able to catch and retrieve the item. .... drill sgt.