Ensure You And Your Family’s Safety:
Laundry is an unavoidable part of daily life, and keeping it safe is essential. In a laundry 101 class, the most basic lesson would be to clean the lint trap every single time you use the dryer. However, just focusing on the lint trap isn’t sufficient for fire prevention and efficient dryer performance. You also need to clean your dryer vent!
This vent, which includes the tube running from your dryer to the outside of your home, is crucial for removing hot air and moisture. Even though the dryer itself has a lint trap, dust and debris accumulate in the vent over time, especially if it’s equipped with screens or caps to keep out pests.
Debris and highly flammable lint will build up in your dryer vent, reducing airflow and backing up exhaust gases. Couple that with the hot temperature of the dryer itself, and clogged dryer vents can be a fire hazard.
According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), fire departments respond to an average of 15,970 home structural fires EACH YEAR that involve clothes dryers or washing machines, with 92% of those fires being attributed to dryers. 27% of those dryer fires were caused by dust and lint in the lint trap or dryer vent. Those are disturbing statistics for an easily preventable problem!
Worse yet, fires aren’t the only risk. A clogged vent causes gases and carbon monoxide that should be released outside of the home through the dryer vent to get backed up into your home, causing a dangerous air quality risk for you and your family.
Signs That Your Dryer Vent Needs To Be Cleaned:
- Clothes take longer to dry than usual
- The dryer is hot to the touch after a cycle
- Your laundry room is hot after a cycle
- The dryer emits a burning smell
- There’s inconsistent airflow from the exhaust vent
- Excess lint appears in the lint trap after each cycle
- You find debris in your yard outside of the dryer vent or can see it trapped in the vent itself
Benefits Of Dryer Vent Cleaning:
While safety is priority number one, there are other benefits to having your dryer vents professionally cleaned:
- Shorter Drying Times: Do you feel like your clothes take forever to dry? This may be an indication that it’s time to get your dryer vent cleaned. An abundance of lint in the vent creates a barrier that warm air has to fight through, so it can do its job. By clearing the vents of debris, you are clearing the way for the heat to come through quickly and efficiently.
- Lower Energy Bills: Getting your dryer vent cleaned is one simple way to save money. By keeping the system clean, drying times are shortened, which in return uses less energy. Less energy means lower energy bills and more money in your pocket!
- Fewer Repairs: We all want our appliances to work as efficiently as possible. When any appliance is being overworked, there’s considerable added wear and tear on the appliance. By keeping dryer vents clean, you can avoid costly repairs or the need to buy a brand-new dryer.
How Often To Clean Dryer Vents & Maintenance Tips:
With regular use, you should have your dryer vent professionally cleaned at least once a year to prevent lint build-up and ensure your dryer is running efficiently. In addition to having your dryer vent cleaned by a professional, you can take proactive steps to prevent debris build-up and keep your dryer working efficiently while reducing fire risk.
- Empty lint trap after every load
- Let your dryer cool off for 15-20 minutes between loads
- Replace your flexible vent pipe with a solid metal one
- Move the dryer close to an external wall
- Use liquid fabric softener instead of dryer sheets
- Regularly inspect the vent pipe from outside the house to see if there is debris
However, lint and debris will build up no matter what precautions you take, so it’s important to schedule annual cleanings!
Why Hire A Professional To Clean Your Dryer Vents?
When you’re ready to have your dryer vent cleaned, it’s important to hire a professional who can thoroughly clean it the proper way. While it may seem convenient to DIY using a vacuum cleaner, this approach isn’t optimal, especially for longer vents. Despite various DIY products and accessories available, they often provide a false sense of security. Many DIY methods fail to remove all lint and debris and may even inadvertently compact them, leading to unseen blockages and a heightened fire risk.
Clean Air Columbia is NADCA certified. National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) members have advanced training and knowledge about proper cleaning methods, and all members also follow a higher standard in cleaning and customer service. In fact, there is an industry standard that’s all about cleaning dryer vents — the Dryer Exhaust Duct Performance (DEDP) Standard. When looking to hire a technician to clean your dryer vent, ask if they follow this standard! Keep your family safe from a potential fire hazard and lower your energy costs by booking with us today!
