Dryer Vent Cleaning: A Simple Service That Can Save Your Home And Your Family
Like many people, you probably only think about your dryer when you're busy transferring a load of wet clothing to it -- or if something goes wrong. The same goes for your dryer vent. As long as your clothes are getting dry, you're unlikely to give it much thought. But that could be dangerous for both your family and your home.
Why is dryer vent cleaning something that every household should be concerned about, and why should you and your family give it more attention than you're currently doing? For home safety and to get the maximum lifespan from your dryer, it's important to understand the importance of cleaning your dryer vent.
First, let's look at exactly what your dryer vent is. The vent is a duct, or tube, that connects your dryer to the exterior of your home. Excess hot, moist air from the dryer is conducted outside, where it can safely dissipate. If you've walked by the outside of your vent while your machine is going, you may have smelled the fresh scent of the dryer sheets or even felt the warm air.
What Happens to Dryer Vents Over Time?
You know that build-up of fuzz and lint that accumulates in your dryer's lint trap? (You should be cleaning this out before every load.) The same kind of material moves into your dryer vent, where it can accumulate in clumps. All you have to do is run an internet search for "dirty dryer vent" to see scores of photos with the vent mostly or entirely filled with this gunk.
Over time, this happens to almost every dryer vent. If you aren't aware of it, and make an effort to keep the duct cleaned out, your own dryer vent could be filled with this type of lint, which can lead to a host of problems.
Dangers of Dirty or Backed Up Dryer Vents
The biggest concern about dirty dryer vents is the increased risk of fire. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 2,900 residential fires are caused by clothes dryers. The result? As many as 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property damage. That's every single year.
With the combination of easily flammable lint and hot air, it's easy to understand why dryer vents pose this fire risk. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association found that 27% of dryer fires were directly caused by dust, fiber or lint igniting. That may be a conservative estimate, as other reviews have found that as many as 80% of dryer-related fires are connected to clogged dryer vents.
Another concern about blocked dryer vents is that the air and gases from the dryer aren't going outside, but instead, backing up into your house. This could mean that carbon monoxide, a byproduct of running some gas-powered appliances, comes into your home. In a tightly sealed indoor environment, this odorless gas can cause headaches, nausea and even death. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that 430 deaths and 50,000 emergency room visits each year can be attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. While dryers only account for a small percentage of these, that risk is one to think about. (It's a smart idea to have a carbon monoxide detector in your laundry room, even when you do take precautions to keep your dryer vent clean.)
While it isn't a danger -- except to your wallet -- the buildup in your dryer vent can shorten the lifespan of your appliance. Your dryer has to work extra hard to dry clothing when the air doesn't vent properly, and this added strain means it won't last like it should. A dryer should last 10 years, according to a Consumer Reports survey, but some people can keep their appliances running for as much as 25 years! In order to get the maximum life from your dryer, regular vent cleaning is key.
Signs Your Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning
Experts recommend having your dryer vent cleaned each year, perhaps as part of a deep spring cleaning. But some dryer systems need cleaning more frequently. How do you know if your dryer vent may be clogged? Signs include:
Your dryer isn't running efficiently. You may notice that it takes longer to dry a load, even a small one. Or, your dryer may indicate the load is finished but the clothing is still damp.
Clothes are hot when you take them out. While your clothing should be pleasantly warm, it should not seem overheated. This means that hot air is not escaping from the dryer as it should.
You inspect the outside dryer vent cover or flap and it doesn't open fully when hot air is blowing out.
Something smells moldy. The moist air can create spots of dampness in the dryer lint along your vent. In the right conditions, this can allow mold to grow, making your home smell musty.
Something smells like it is burning.
If you experience these symptoms of a clogged dryer vent, it's time to call for a dryer vent cleaning.
What is Dryer Vent Cleaning?
We've talked about why you want to keep your dryer vent clean, but how does the process work? In a professional dryer vent cleaning, an expert comes to your Oklahoma City-area home and uses special tools to remove lint and dust from the vent system.
After disconnecting the dryer from power, the pro will remove the outside dryer flap or cover. They will use a flexible but sturdy brush to remove lint from the sides along with a narrow vacuum that sucks all the debris out of the duct. Almost all dryer vents have bends, which get special attention from the cleaner: This is where most lint builds up.
After the cleaning, which can take anywhere from 20 minutes for a short vent to an hour for a longer and more complex system, the pro may test the system. This is usually only done if your cleaning expert suspects there could be damage to the duct work. When the professional ensures that the duct is connected, undamaged and free of debris, you have peace of mind about the reduced risk of dangers.
Can you clean your vents yourself? While D-I-Y dryer vent cleaning is certainly possible, it's a dirty job and one that you may not be able to do thoroughly. Some home improvement stores sell brushes and kits that can help, but if your system has multiple bends or elbows, you may not be able to get to all the places where lint builds up. Especially if you have not cleaned your vent in some time, it's best to leave this job to the pros. At less than $200 for most jobs, this is one area of home maintenance where you may not want to do the job yourself.
Benefits of Dryer Vent Cleaning
Once your dryer vent is clean, you'll experience increased peace of mind that you won't be starting a house fire. You'll also have a dryer that runs better, works faster and lasts longer.
If you, too, want the benefits of a clean dryer vent system, call us today. We're offering a special price of $125 for first-time customers on your cleaning, just in time for spring and summer.
