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A disconnected/and damaged gas dryer duct was found while inspecting a house the other day. The clothes washing appliances were located in utilty room connected to the main house. At first, it was a little difficult to see the damage because the duct was pushed behind the dryer appliance. As soon as I started the gas dryer appliance did the extent of the defect become noticeable. Lint debris was blowing into the air. 
Since this was a gas dryer, fossil fuel must be combusted along with deadly oderless carbon monoxide gas. And expelled, in this case, into the living space of the home causing a very hazardous condition. The house had only been vacant for a month. The service person that did the installation just didn’t do a good job. Luckily the duct ruptured when I started the appliance. Even a small hole in the duct would be very dangerous to anyone living in the house that could cause headaches and also be life threatening. Carbon monoxide is colorless and oderless and it doesn’t take very much to harm an individual. The hole is located where the gas pipe and shut-off valve are situated.
For several years plastic dryer venting has been banned from use with clothes dryer appliances. However I still see this material being used in some newer but in mostly older homes. This product is considered a fire safety hazard and should be replaced if you have this material installed in your home.
Today, most households use flexible metal foil ducting as the connector between the dryer and the exterior discharge. Much better than it’s plastic counterpart, it has been approved for residential use by fire code officials in most municipalities.
Optimally, the best product is smooth wall aluminum ducting using rigid metal adapters connected to the dryer discharge and the vent. The cost and effort installing is well worth it in the long run.
If it has been more than 3 years since you cleaned your vents, we recommend doing so. Dryer lint can build up on the sides of the duct, and will greatly reduce the efficiency of your appliance. If the build-up is extreme, your dryer appliance could burn out, or perhaps, even start a fire.
