Thousands of fires reported each year are caused by dryers, with over one third of them due to dirty dryer vents. These tragic fires cause deaths, injuries, and millions in property loss.
After reading the information above, I bet you already know the answer to if you should clean your dryer vents.
But do you need them done by a professional duct cleaning service, or can you do it yourself?
Yes, you should have your dryer vent professionally cleaned. However, you should be cleaning the dryer lint trap after each use.
Many people don’t realize the importance of cleaning the lint trap or regular vent cleaning until it’s too late. To learn more about what happens if you don’t get them cleaned and how you know it’s time to have them cleaned, continue reading.
Why Should Your Dryer Vent Be Professionally Cleaned?
Sure, you can try to clean the dryer vent yourself with your vacuum cleaner, but it’s not a great idea. Even if your flue is short, you run the risk of compacting the lint and causing a blockage which increases the risk of a fire.
As you use your dryer, lint starts building up in hard-to-reach areas making it less efficient. In fact, you may notice that your clothes are no longer getting dry on a single cycle. If your clothes take longer to dry than normal, this may be a sign that your vent is clogged and needs to be cleaned.
When you call in a professional, they will clean all of your dryer vents to ensure that all the dust and debris is out. If you try to clean it yourself, you may miss some areas that are hard to see, or that’s in a difficult-to-reach spot.
Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Dryer Vent
Remember, a dirty vent is a dangerous vent. There are a few signs it’s time to have your dyer vent cleaned and if you notice any of them it’s time to call in a professional.
If your clothes are taking longer to dry it may be due to lint buildup and your vent may need to be cleaned. If the dryer is hot at the end of a cycle this could indicate it’s time to have your dryer vent inspected. If your laundry room is warmer than usual or you smell a burning smell you should call in a professional. If there’s excess lint inside the lint trap or you find debris outside the dryer vent it’s an indication that you need to have your ducts cleaned.
How Often Should You Have Your Dryer Vents Cleaned?
Even if you don’t use your dryer often you should have them cleaned at least once a year. This helps to prevent buildup and keep your dryer working efficiently.
If you have a large family, pets, or use your dryer frequently you should consider having it cleaned more often. This is to help prevent dust and debris buildup and ensure that your dryer is working properly.
Ways To Prevent a Clogged Dryer Vent
There are other ways to help keep your dryer vent from getting clogged in addition to having it cleaned regularly and reducing the risk of having it catch on fire.
The first thing is to empty your lint trap before each load and give it at least 15 to 20 minutes between loads. Flexible vent pipes are the most common, but dirt and dust gets stuck inside their crevices so if you replace it with a solid metal one it reduces the likelihood of clogs. Using liquid fabric softener instead of dryer sheets also reduces the risk of having clogs.
In Sum
Having your home’s dryer vent professionally cleaned yearly is a great way to make sure your home stays safe and your dryer working right.
There is more than having clean dryer vents to the overall safety and cleanliness of your home. If you think about the lint and dust in your dryer vents, what about the duct work in your home? Your home’s air ducts have a story to tell on their own so make sure they are clean as well.
Clean Ducts Year Round
Unique Air Duct Cleaning in Livonia can clean your air ducts as well as your dryer vents with an efficient and powerful machine that thoroughly cleans and sanitizes in one pass. This means you breathe clean air in your home and don’t have to worry about clogged dyer vents causing problems. As dust and allergens settle in you home throughout the year, having an air duct cleaning service do it right every other year will make all the difference. Make it part of your home maintenance annual routine and schedule an air duct cleaning service today!