Fire Safety Tip: Don’t Neglect Your Dryer Vents
When you think of fire safety in your home, there’s a good chance you don’t even consider your clothes dryer – but you should! Just like your chimney system, your dryer venting system is designed to remove dangerous byproducts from your home and keep your appliance working as it was designed to.
Ready to schedule your next dryer vent cleaning? We’d love to help you out. Give us a call or book online today.
How Often Should I Have My Dryer Vents Cleaned?
The most common recommendation is to have your dryer vents cleaned at least once a year. That said, the frequency with which you should clean your dryer vents (i.e. whether or not you need more than one cleaning per year) depends on several factors, such as:
- the type of dryer you have
- how often you use your dryer
- the age of your dryer
- the length of the venting system
- the materials used in the venting system
- if your venting system is straight or twisted
For instance, if you have a large household or do a lot of laundry, you might need more frequent cleanings. Additionally, if your dryer vent has a long and winding path or if it has several bends, it may accumulate lint more quickly. On the other hand, if you have a smaller household and don’t run your dryer a lot, a once-per-year cleaning should be sufficient.
What Happens if I Don’t Clean My Dryer Vents?
Like your chimney system, your dryer venting system requires regular inspections and cleanings to do its job efficiently and safely. A neglected system can quickly become a fire and health hazard, and here’s why:
- Lint Buildup: Even if you clean out your lint trap with every use, you simply can’t avoid lint buildup in the vents – and every bend, dip, climb and turn creates a nice little home for lint to settle, which leads to blockages and restricted air flow. A starved dryer will work at higher temperatures for longer times, so that flammable lint can easily spark a fire.
- Animal Entry: When an animal or bird prepares to build a nest, it’s looking for the same things you and I are looking for – shelter and warmth – and a toasty dryer vent provides just that. Unfortunately, even if the animals or birds end up leaving your venting system for good, they don’t tend to clean up after themselves, thus leaving behind flammable nesting materials.
- Loose Ducts: Many contractors simply seal dryer vent ducts with duct tape, which can easily come loose with the heat and moisture produced by a clothes dryer. This can be particularly dangerous in newer homes where vents tend to be lengthy and travel throughout the home. If these ducts come loose, carbon monoxide, high heat, and other dangerous byproducts of the dryer can cause health problems and fire hazards.
Regular cleaning not only improves the efficiency of your dryer, but also reduces the risk of lint-related fires and carbon monoxide exposure. If you’re unsure about the condition of your dryer vent, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experts. We can get you set up with an appointment soon.
What Are Signs That I Need a Dryer Vent Cleaning?
If you notice any of the following signs, it may indicate that your dryer vents need cleaning soon or more frequently:
- Increased drying times. If your clothes are taking longer to dry than usual and you’re needing to run multiple cycles per load, it could be a sign that the dryer vent has become clogged.
- Your clothes are unusually hot. If your clothes feel excessively hot to the touch at the end of a drying cycle, it may suggest poor airflow, which could be caused by a clogged vent.
- Lint is in places it shouldn’t be. If you see a noticeable amount of lint around the lint filter or are spotting lint around the dryer door, it could indicate a venting issue.
- Strange odors are lingering. A burning smell when the dryer is running could be a sign of lint buildup. This could indicate a fire hazard, so we suggest stopping dryer use until a cleaning can be completed.
- Your outdoor vent opening is clogged. Periodically check the vent opening outside to ensure it is clear of debris and lint. If it isn’t, clear it out, and if it happens frequently, consider scheduling a vent cleaning.
Let the Pros at Old Smokey’s Help
We can help you reduce your fire risk – and your energy bills – without leaving you with a mess on your hands. Our expert dryer vent technicians use specialized tools and vacuums to ensure that your home stays clean and dust-free, no matter how rough your vents are looking. Call on the pros at Old Smokey’s – you’ll be glad you did!
To schedule your annual dryer vent inspection and cleaning, give us a call at 260-587-9691 or book with us online today.
How Efficient Is Your Dryer?
In addition to the safety and health hazards associated with a dirty or neglected dryer vent, you’ll also experience energy and time waste. Why? When a dryer vent is blocked or leaking, your dryer will ultimately have to work much harder in order to do its job. The result is wasted energy (and higher utility bills) and wasted time.
Have you noticed that your clothes are still damp after a full dry cycle? When was the last time you had your dryer vents inspected? There’s a good chance it’s time for a professional cleaning.
Let the Pros at Old Smokey’s Help
We can help you reduce your fire risk – and your energy bills – without leaving you with a mess on your hands. Our expert dryer vent technicians use specialized tools and vacuums to ensure that your home stays clean and dust-free, no matter how rough your vents are looking. Call on the pros at Old Smokey’s – you’ll be glad you did!
To schedule your annual dryer vent inspection and cleaning, give us a call at 260-587-9691 or book with us online today.
You can’t go wrong when you schedule a chimney sweeping to make sure your system is safe and ready to use. Our chimney services experts know what they’re doing and are ready to help.