The Warning Signs and Dangers of Clogged Dryer Vents

Laundry is something most of us do several times a week. You might even be doing laundry now. But when was the last time you cleaned out your dryer vent? A clogged dryer vent can quickly become a severe problem. Discover the warning signs and the reasons why it’s so important to regularly clean your dryer vents.

The Warning Signs You Need to Clean Out Your Dryer Vent

Have you noticed any of these warning signs?

1.       It takes longer than usual to dry your clothes. A clog in your vent prevents the hot, moist air from escaping your dryer, which prolongs the drying time and leaves your clothes wet at the end of a cycle.

2.       You notice a burning smell. Lint and fabric fuzz are highly flammable, so it doesn't take too much heat to ignite a small piece. If you ever smell something burning when operating your dryer, turn it off and contact a technician immediately.

3.       Your clothes are hot to the touch at the end of a load. Yes, you want your clothes to be dry, but if you find it difficult to touch your clothes without burning your hand, your vent may be clogged, which prevents hot air from escaping.

4.       You can see lint or debris in the dryer hose or around the outside dryer flap. Once you can see a build-up in either of these two places, you know you are well past the time you should have cleaned your dryer ducts.

5.       You haven't cleaned out your vents in over a year. In a typical household, the dryer vent should be cleaned at least once a year. Homes with more frequent loads of laundry need to clean out their vents more often.

The Dangers of a Clogged Dryer Vent

Don't let the warning signs go unnoticed, or you may be sorry. Clogged dryer vents contribute to:

●        House fires. Just under 5 percent of all house fires in the U.S. start in the laundry room resulting in deaths, injuries, and hundreds of million dollars in damages each year. Of those fires, a third of them were caused by the homeowner forgetting to clean the dryer vent.

●        Carbon Monoxide Exposure. If you own a gas dryer, you must be especially diligent about dryer vent cleaning. That’s because gas-powered dryers produce carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas that’s lethal in high concentrations. When large amounts of lint accumulate inside the vent of a gas-powered dryer, all of that debris can prevent carbon monoxide from exiting the vent as it should. The carbon monoxide then builds up inside the vent, and since it has nowhere else to go, it’ll eventually begin accumulating inside of whatever room your dryer lives in. If you want to significantly reduce your likelihood of being exposed to high concentrations of dryer-generated CO, the solution is simple: Have a professional perform a thorough dryer vent cleaning once a year.

●        Higher bills. Overheating can cause your equipment to break and need expensive repairs or replacement. Combine this with increased utility based from an ineffective dryer, and the cost of a clogged dryer vent can really add up.

●        Pests. It is something which many people never consider, but if there is enough build-up to push open the outside laundry flap, you are proving an easy way for pests like rodents to enter your home.

Have you noticed any warning signs you may have a clogged dryer vent? Book a cleaning from the Dust Doctors. Call 651-319-9777 to schedule an appointment.