4 Signs It's Time for Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning

If you're like most people, you don't think about your dryer vent often. As long as the vent does what it's supposed to, it's fine, right?  Unfortunately, that mindset plays a leading role in the nearly 3,000 dryer fires reported every year in the United States. At Dust Doctors, it's our goal to keep your home and family safe from the effects of dust and lint accumulation—in fact, that's all we do! If dryer vent safety isn't at the top of your list, don't fret; it's at the top of ours. Give us a call today if you notice any of the following dryer red flags:

Your Clothes Take Forever To Dry

Is your dryer taking longer than usual to dry your clothes? If so, it may be time for a professional vent cleaning. When your dryer vent or vent hose is clogged, lint accumulation prevents moisture from escaping your dryer. Under normal circumstances, hot air from your dryer coaxes moisture out of your clothes. Once moisture evaporates, warm air carries it through the exhaust hose and out the dryer vent. If something is blocking the vent or hose, however, that moisture must remain in the dryer drum.

On rare occasions, something other than lint may be blocking your vent—there have actually been reports of small animals getting stuck behind outdoor vent flaps! Whether it's lint or a small critter that's clogging up your vent, a professional vent cleaning will get your system back in working order.

Visible Lint Accumulation Outside

If you can see chunks of lint building up where your vent exits your home, you are overdue for a vent cleaning. Substantial lint buildup around your outdoor vent not only prevents your clothes from drying, but it's also a fire hazard. If you see buildup outside, chances are your vent hose contains a hefty amount of lint, too. And while you can easily remove the link you can see, it's the accumulation within the hose that you most likely can't reach. A vent cleaning professional has the necessary tools to access buildup deep within the hose, ensuring your system is completely clean.

Burning Odor During Dryer Operation

Does your dryer smell funny during operation? Like maybe something is burning? First thing's first: turn it off—immediately. A burning smell is a solid indication that in its current state, your dryer presents a significant fire hazard. Lint is extremely flammable, and while your lint trap does catch most dryer lint, it can't trap it all. When lint particles pass through the trap, they can end up in the exhaust tube or drum casing. If the lint gets too hot, you could have a dryer fire on your hands. After you turn the machine off, call a professional for a thorough dryer inspection. After your inspection, call a vent cleaning company.

Your Dryer is Too Hot To Touch

If your dryer is so hot during operation that you can't comfortably touch it, you've got a fire hazard on your hands. Lint accumulation can trap hot, moist air in the exhaust hose; since that air has nowhere to escape, it remains in the dryer drum where it makes your clothes extra hot, too. It's best to stop using your dryer if this situation occurs. Call a professional to have your dryer inspected, and have a professional vent cleaning as soon as possible.

At Dust Doctors, we know how dangerous a clogged dryer vent can be, and it's our goal to keep your home and family protected. Throughout our decades of service, we've developed the most comprehensive cleaning techniques and systems in the Twin Cities metro area—you won't find another company that delivers like we do. Whether you need just vent cleaning, or your HVAC system, ducts, or furnace need attention, we're here to get the job done right. For questions about our services, or to schedule your cleaning, give us a call at 651-319-9777, or feel free to message us on our contact page.