If your clothes seem to take longer to dry after a cycle, it could be that your dryer vent needs cleaning. A blocked vent keeps moisture and hot air trapped inside your home, potentially leading to mold growth or other health problems.
Lint can accumulate in dryer vents, so having them professionally cleaned is a good idea. According to the National Fire Protection Association, having your vents cleaned at least once annually helps prevent fires. With the right residential dryer vent cleaning services, you’ll have less to worry about.
Common Signs Your Dryer Vent Needs to be Cleaned
1. Your Clothes Take Longer to Dry
If your clothes are taking too long to dry, your dryer vent may be clogged with lint. When this buildup of particles restricts airflow through the duct system, you could potentially find relief from your troubles.
Lint clogs can significantly reduce your dryer’s efficiency and wear down essential parts that keep it running optimally. Furthermore, lint is highly flammable.
To prevent a fire, it’s important to regularly clean your dryer vent. Doing so helps reduce lint buildup and keeps the efficiency of your machine optimal.
Another indication that your dryer vent needs cleaning is if you detect a burning smell while using it. This usually indicates that small pieces of lint in your vent trap or dryer hose have become very hot from being exposed to air.
If you’re facing any of these issues, it’s time to contact a professional for dryer vent cleaning. They can identify the source of your issue and suggest ways to resolve it effectively.
2. Your Clothes Smell Bad
When your clothes begin to smell bad after being washed, it’s essential to identify the source. Over washing, detergent buildup, and other factors can contribute to persistent odors that are difficult to eradicate.
You may be able to solve the problem by switching to more powerful laundry detergent and washing at a lower temperature. However, if not, consider getting your dryer vent cleaned by an experienced professional.
A blocked dryer vent not only affects your home’s air quality, it puts you at risk of a fire. When lint gets too close to the heat source of your dryer, it can start burning and spread rapidly.
Therefore, it’s essential to regularly inspect your vent hood and take notice of how much lint there is visible. If there appears to be an abundance of lint, then having your dryer vent cleaned is highly recommended.
3. Your Clothes Are Hot
A dryer vent allows hot air from a clothes dryer to exit the home, keeping it safe from fires and mold growth.
When your dryer vent isn’t clean, your clothes may become too hot to touch and cause serious harm over time. This issue can be prevented with regular maintenance of the vent.
Your inspector should inspect the type and condition of your clothes dryer vent during a home inspection. It should extend outside of the house with either a dampened or louvered cover for protection.
Vents are typically constructed from the flexible plastic or metal duct, which can become kinked or crushed and restrict the flow of exhaust air.
These restrictions can increase the risk of a house fire and make it harder for your dryer to remove moisture and lint from clothes. If it takes too long for your dryer to dry your clothes, consider having its vent cleaned.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to get your dryer vents cleaned before it turns into a hazard.