Once the storm has passed and it's safe to go outside, check the gas meter first, then the dryer vent hood. The National Weather Service notes that severe storms can produce hail large enough to damage roofs and other property (NWS), and the plastic louvers and flaps on appliance vents are among the most fragile things on a house. A cracked or jammed vent cover can trap lint and, on gas appliances, exhaust.
Do this first
- Look at the gas meter from a distance. Atmos Energy says that if a natural gas meter is damaged or a gas line is exposed, you should leave the area immediately, and that if you smell gas you should leave and, from a safe distance, call 911 and Atmos Energy's 24-hour line at 866-322-8667 (Atmos Energy).
- Stay clear of downed power lines and anything touching them. Report them to 911 and your electric utility.
- Don't climb onto the roof to check vent caps while it's wet, or at all if you're not used to it. Use binoculars from the ground.
- Check the dryer vent hood on the outside wall. Look for broken louvers, a flap stuck shut or open, or a hood knocked loose from the wall.
In the next few hours
- Test the dryer vent flap. With the dryer running on air-only, the flap should open and you should feel strong airflow. The U.S. Fire Administration advises making sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating (USFA).
- Clear hail and debris from all appliance vents. Atmos Energy says to make sure external vents for dryers and other natural gas equipment are clear, because blocked vents can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide.
- Scan the roof from the ground for dented or bent caps where a dryer or range hood vents through the roof. A crushed cap restricts airflow even if it doesn't leak.
- Check outdoor kitchen appliances. Look for dents on stainless panels, cracked glass on an outdoor fridge door, and water inside control panels or ice makers. If water got into a control panel or outlet, leave that circuit off until it's dried and checked.
- Check the outdoor outlets and GFCIs that feed patio refrigerators and ice makers. A tripped GFCI after a storm is common, but one that trips again right after reset needs an electrician.
- Photograph all damage before cleanup for your insurance claim.
Before the technician arrives
Note:
- Model and serial numbers. Dryers: inside the door opening or on the back. Outdoor refrigerators and ice makers: usually inside the cabinet or on the back.
- Which vents are damaged and where they terminate (wall, roof, soffit).
- Whether the dryer is drying slower since the storm, or shutting off.
- Any error codes on outdoor units, and whether they were running when the storm hit.
What not to do:
- Don't run a gas dryer or other gas appliance with a crushed or blocked vent cap.
- Don't tape over a broken vent hood. Replace it with a proper hood that has a working flap.
- Don't pull a damaged outdoor appliance off a wet patio while it's still plugged in.
- Don't turn the gas off at the meter yourself. Atmos Energy says not to during severe weather, even if evacuations are issued.
How to keep it from happening again
- Choose metal vent hoods over thin plastic ones when replacing.
- Keep a working CO alarm on every level of the house, especially near gas appliances.
- Cover or unplug outdoor kitchen appliances when severe storms are forecast, following the manufacturer's guidance.
- Recheck vent flaps after every major storm, not just hail.
- Keep the area around the gas meter clear so it's easy to see and reach.
If the dryer has already shut off hot since the storm, follow what to do when the dryer stops mid-cycle and feels hot. For dryer and outdoor appliance service in Collin and Denton county suburbs, see our Frisco service area page.
Sources
- National Weather Service: Severe Thunderstorm Safety
- Atmos Energy: Weather Safety Tips
- U.S. Fire Administration: Clothes Dryer Fire Safety flyer
Keep in mind: A broken vent flap looks minor, but on a gas dryer it can push exhaust back toward the house, so fix it before the next load.
Call ProFix Dallas at (469) 886-1122 to have storm-damaged appliances and vents checked.