When was the last time you had you dryer vent cleaned?
Many people go years or even forever without considering the condition of the dryer vent in their home or business. Lint and debris build-up in the clothes dryer duct create potentially hazardous conditions including dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home or even a fire.
Annual dryer exhaust vent inspections and dryer vent cleaning are more necessary due to the complex construction of today’s homes. Dryers in newer homes are often located away from outside walls which is convenient, but potentially dangerous from a safety standpoint. When dryer vents are located longer distances from the home exterior, ducts are often installed with more bends. As a result, dryer ducts are harder to access and this additional length creates more surface area where lint can collect and animals and birds can hide.
In addition to keeping you safe, an annual dryer vent cleaning by a professional can also increase the efficiency of your clothes dryer, ultimately saving your energy dollars and a potential dryer replacement. Often people replace a dryer when what they need is a dryer vent cleaning.
Each year there are over 15,000 clothes dryer fires in the U.S. according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Each of these fires is avoidable with proper maintenance.
Signs That A Dryer Vent Cleaning Is Needed
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The dryer takes longer to finish a load than previously potentially two or three cycles.
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The dryer feels hotter than normal when running.
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Lint is visible on the vent’s exterior.
In addition to annual dryer vent inspection, the following tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) can help you keep your dryer venting efficiently while keeping your family safe.
- Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
- Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.
- Make sure you clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum.
- Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.
- Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. Once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you.
- Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be inspected by a professional to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
- Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly.
- Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and don’t overload your dryer.
- Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.