Is your laundry taking multiple cycles to dry? That means it’s probably time to have your dryer vent cleaned! So, why is it important to have your dryer vent cleaned? Let’s find out!
How a dryer vent works
A dryer vent is similar to the exhaust pipe on a car. The dryer vent moves the hot air and moisture from the dryer and clothing or items you are drying and brings it outside of your home. The lint trap in your dryer collects as much of the lint from the things you are drying, but over time this lint gets built up in the vent and restricts the airflow.
Risks of a clogged dryer vent
Each time you run a load of laundry through the dryer, lint gets collected and carried through the vents. Whether it’s light summer clothes like bathing suits and towels or heavier winter clothes like sweaters and wool socks, lint is on everything that goes in the dryer. Over time, the lint buildup increases and can block the air flow and cause overheating of the dryer elements. Most important is that this buildup in the dryer vent can cause a fire to start. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, overheated dryers are the cause of approximately 15,500 preventable fires each year.
Risks of not cleaning your dryer vent
Besides an increased risk of a fire starting, there are several other things that can happen if you don’t get your dryer vent cleaned out every year.
Clogged dryer vents can:
- Make the dryer work harder to complete the task required
- Increase energy usage
- Cause the thermostat in the dryer to fail sooner than it should
- Reduce the lifespan of the dryer
Cleaning your dryer vent
While there are do-it-yourself kits and tools available to clean your dryer vent yourself, this is a project best left to a professional. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations of a professional and licensed dryer vent cleaner, or search the internet for a reputable company. A licensed dryer vent cleaner will have the proper tools to remove the lint from the duct, vent, and from inside the dryer.
Once the dryer vent is cleaned, make sure to clean the lint trap after every laundry cycle to prevent the buildup of lint in the dryer vent ducts.
Five Star is always here to help you with all your plumbing, heating and air, electrical, insulation, and indoor air quality needs. Contact Five Star at 864-715-9906 to schedule an appointment today. All of our professional, licensed technicians are here to serve you 24/7/365.