When adding to the list of house chores, cleaning your dryer vent yearly should be on it. Dryer vents can take a beating after repeated use over the course of a year. Between catching dirt and lint, the filter that is attached to your vent can get pretty disgusting. Dryers are used year round through all of the seasons. Keeping your vent cleaned and maintained properly will provide maximum efficiency from your appliance. Even your electric bill can trend higher if you have a partially clogged ventilation system. Although a fire can be the worst case scenario from a blocked vent, many other issues can arise if you neglect maintenance as well. If you haven’t had your dryer vent cleaned in a long time, it might be time to call a local service provider like Dryer Vent Doctor.
How Will I Know?
If you are reading this, chances are you need your dryer vent cleaned. Besides knowing how long it has been since your last cleaning, there are a few other telltale signs that can tip you off.
Dryer Overheating
If your dryer is hot to touch, it is time to clean out your dryer vent. A clogged vent will stop the process of transferring the heated air out of your home through your dryer vent. When this happens, your dryer will over work itself and instead of fully dryer your clothes, it will overheat. This will cause possible damage to your dryer and hike up your electric bill due to the fact that your appliance is not running efficiently.
Excessive Lint
After a period of time lint can build up in your dryer vent and cause it to be clogged. Although changing your dryer vent filter can sometimes help, lint can still accumulate in your vent. Lint buildup is a popular reason for fires that can begin in your laundry room. If lint is clogging your vent, the hot air has no way to escape to the outside of your home. This will eventually lead to possible fires. Having dryer vent maintenance once a year can drastically decrease the chance of having issues
Burning/Musty Smell
A musty or burning smell in your laundry room is a possible sign of a clogged dryer vent. Lint and debris trapped in the vent can overheat and even catch fire, releasing an unpleasant odor. If you notice any unusual smells during or after using your dryer, it’s crucial to investigate the issue and have the vent cleaned if necessary.
Longer Drying Times
Another strong indicator that your dryer vent is clogged is your clothes taking longer to dry. This delay in drying time is often caused by a buildup of lint in the vents, which restricts airflow and hampers the efficiency of your dryer. Not only will it take longer to dry your clothes, but your electric bill may increase due to over usage from your dryer.
Neglecting cleaning out your dryer vent can prove to be dangerous in some cases. Whether the problem is starting a fire or costing you more money, it is highly advised that you get your vent cleaned once a year by a professional cleaning company like Dryer Vent Doctor. We also offer free on-site estimates tailored to each of our customers needs. Our expertly trained technicians ensure each job is completed to the highest of standards. If you can’t remember the last time you had your dryer vent cleaned, it may be time to call the Doctor.