You might need a Dryer Vent Cleaning more than you realize. Most Americans think that cleaning the dryer’s lint trap after each load is enough to keep the dryer vent lint free, but the truth is that it’s not. This common misconception could be a costly mistake.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 15,500 fires are caused from dryers each year in the United States. This results in about 10 deaths, 310 injuries, and millions of dollars in property damage every year.
How is Lint Formed? Lint is made in our dryers! Of course, this is no surprise to those of us who are used to doing laundry. However, you may have wondered how one load can create so much lint! Lint is created by the tumbling and tossing of clothing which causes bits of fuzz to fly off in the process. Finally, The fuzz then morphs into lint as it gets trapped in our dryer’s filter and our duct.
Why is lint Dangerous? Lint is an extremely flammable material that can ignite when met with heat or a spark. Combine dangerous lint with limited air flow from a clogged duct and you have near perfect conditions for a fire.
So, Is it worth getting done? Having a professional dryer vent cleaning can pay for itself in less than a year through improved efficiency due to less drying time per load. Not only is this easy on your electric bill, it could save you thousands in potential property damage.
WARNING SIGNS
1. Clothes aren’t getting completely dry
Drying your load of clothing should not take longer than 30- 45 minutes. However, if you have a dryer with a clogged vent, it can take 2-3 times as long. Constantly restarting your dryer? A clogged dryer vent could be the culprit. If the dryer vent clogs, moist air from the drying process doesn’t have anywhere to go. As a result, energy is wasted, your utility bill can increase, and you can wear out the heating element in your dryer.
2. Clothes smell musty
If your clothes have a rotten, mildew type of smell, that’s a sign that there may be mold growing around the dryer vent system. This can happen because of a decrease in air flow that is the perfect breeding grounds for mold to grow.
3. Unusually Hot Dryer
If your dryer vent is clogged, it can’t get rid of hot air properly. This could result in a very hot appliance at the end of a normal cycle. This can cause your dryer to overheat as put heavy wear and tear on the blower and heating elements.
4. If you haven’t had your Dryer Vent Cleaned in A Year
Having your dryer vent hoses professionally cleaned annually can help save energy, improve dryer efficiency and prevent a house fire. Since hiring a professional isn’t too expensive, typically only costing around $100 to have your dryer vent cleaned. There are some “Do It Yourself” kits out there but attempting this could be a waste of money. You run the risk you doing it improperly or damaging the vent accidentally. Using a professional not only saves you time and money, you can ensure that the job was done the right way. Want to see what a difference it can make? Check out some of our real jobs here.
