Cleaning a Dryer Vent

Our dryer vent is clogged – again! It seems as if I just cleaned it yesterday, however my wife says it has been years since I have climbed up on the roof to clean the vent. What is the rule of thumb for cleaning a dryer vent and can I reroute the venting from the roof into the garage?

Doug at Quality Maytag says a clothes dryer vent should be cleaned a minimum of two times per year. Lint builds up rapidly, is a fire hazard and reduces energy efficiency. There are dryer duct cleaning brushes that can be purchased at local hardware stores and there are local companies that perform this service as well. As for venting the dryer into the garage, per Section M1502 of the Residential Building Code, dryer exhaust systems shall be independent of all other systems and shall convey the moisture to the outdoors. This does not apply to ductless dryers.