Key takeaways
- A good hood has a flap that opens fully
- Fine mesh screens clog with lint
- Wide-opening guards deter nesting
- Replace cracked or rusted hoods
What a hood does
The hood keeps rain, wind and pests out while letting air leave. Its flap opens when the dryer runs and closes when it stops. If lint holds the flap open, pests and weather get in.
A good hood fits the duct size and is sealed to the wall.
Why not a screen
Fine mesh screens catch lint and clog quickly, which can trap exhaust. They are generally not recommended for dryer vents.
Where pests are a problem, a guard with wide openings is the usual compromise.
When to replace it
Cracks, rust, sticking flaps and missing flaps all mean the hood has done its job. Replacing it is quick and often fixes drafts and pest problems at the same time.
Sun-baked plastic hoods and salt-air metal hoods tend to wear out the fastest.
Related services
Quick answers
Should my hood have a damper?
A flap or damper that opens with air and closes when off is normal and helps keep pests and drafts out.
Can I paint my vent hood?
You can, but keep paint off the flap and the moving parts.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free quote or call 800-313-8481.