Many of us take the time to clean the lint trap in our dryers but what about the dryer vent? It isn’t good enough to just clean the lint trap. The National Fire Protection Association has determined that the clothes dryer was the cause of more than 15,500 fires in the United States in 2010. Fortunately, clogged dryer vents are so easy to prevent! This happens when lint and other debris build up in the hose and vent duct of your dryer, reducing the flow of air and causing exhaust gases to back up and cause a fire. This is easy to prevent by having an inspection and cleaning of your dryer done each year. This will make your home safer and you’ll have more money in your wallet because your dryer will be more efficient.
What Happens When Dryer Vent is Blocked; Signs You Need to Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned
1. Are your clothes and the outside of the dryer very hot? If your clothes feel very hot when you take them out of the dryer, it’s a sign the dryer vent is clogged. The vent isn’t exhausting properly. Not only is it a waste of energy, it will cause the heating element and the blower in the dryer to breakdown faster.
2. Is your dryer taking a long time to dry your clothes? The time it takes to dry your clothes can be two to three times longer if the dryer vent is clogged and the clothing won’t be dry at the end of this extended drying time either. Dryers work by pushing hot, moist air out of the dryer to dry your clothes. Vents that are blocked by lint will keep the hot moist air in the dryer, making the dryer run longer. This will work the dryer harder and longer than it needs to and cause it to wear down faster. It can cause the dryer to last about half as long as it should.
3. Do you notice a burning smell? If you notice a burning smell while you’re running your dryer it might be lint burning. Lint is highly flammable and it will build up in the exhaust tube, the drum casing and the lint trap. When the trapped lint gets too hot, it can catch on fire and cause the burning smell.
4. Is the vent hood not opening properly? If you look around the dryer hose or the opening to the vent on the outside and notice lint or debris around it, it’s time to have your dryer vent cleaned. The duct hood flap might also not be opening. If it doesn’t open while it’s being used, then air flow is being restricted because of the lint buildup.
5. When is the last time your dryer vent was inspected? If it’s been more than a year or you can’t remember, then you need to have it done. Hiring a professional is a worthwhile investment. The cost will depend on how long the vent is and the location of it. You might be able to tackle the job yourself by purchasing a brush kit if the exterior exhaust is easy to get at, but you might not get it completely cleaned.
Dryer Vent Cleaning in Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Northridge & Greater Los Angeles, California
Hiring professionals is a good idea because they work on all makes and models of dryers and have the right brushes for the job. Be proactive and protect your home from a possible fire. Give Eco Clean Air Ducts a call to schedule an appointment to have your dryer vents cleaned.