Lint, dirt, and other debris can build up in your dryer vent hose and could potentially lead to a house fire. The good news is that this hazard can easily be avoided by inspecting and cleaning your dryer and vents at least two times a year (which Springer can help with!).
In addition to preventing something scary like a fire, regular dryer duct maintenance will also improve the efficiency of your dryer and keep it running smoothly for years to come.
When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your home, your dryer ducts may often slip your mind, but it’s important to keep this part of your home free of debris.
Why Dryer Duct Maintenance Is Important
For something that sees so much use, dryer ducts are often neglected. According to the National Fire Protection Association, around 14,000 home structure fires that involve clothes dryers happen each year, and blocked ducts are one of the leading causes.
Feeling safe in your home, plus long-lasting and efficient appliances, are things we all deserve, making dryer duct maintenance essential.
Signs My Dryer Duct Is Clogged
Now that you know where the hazard may be, here are the most important things to keep an eye out for.
Longer Drying Times
You’re not crazy when you say, “I swear my dryer used to be faster.” If your dryer is taking longer than it should, it’s a good sign to check the dryer duct.
Dryers work by evaporating moisture from your clothes and sending it outside. If the duct is clogged, the humid air won’t be able to efficiently exit the dryer drum. This forces you to send loads through multiple cycles.
Burning Smell or Excess Heat
A clogged dryer leaves the hot, humid air and lint with nowhere to go, trapping it in the machine. Without the air flow it needs to work properly, the dryer has to overwork itself, causing overheating. This spike in temperature can sear lint trapped in the dryer, creating a burning smell.
Lint Buildup and Poor Airflow
The primary job of a dryer duct is to send the hot, humid air and other loose fibers from the dryer outside. Lint buildup causes clogging, leading to poor airflow, which is how most problems arise. Some more common signs of lint buildup and poor airflow to look for on top of the ones listed above include:
- A humid feeling in the laundry room or home
- Little to no air blowing out of the exterior vent cap
- Lint building up in places it shouldn’t, such as the exterior vent cap, on the floor behind the unit, or around the dryer door
- Condensation on the inside of the dryer door, or clothes that come out feeling damp
- The lint screen remains clean after a load. This means the dryer lacks the suction needed to carry the fibers out of the drum and press them against the mesh screen
How Does Cleaning My Dryer Duct Reduce Fire Risk?
When you clean your dryer duct, it reduces the chance of a fire by removing highly flammable lint, preventing overheating and overworking of the dryer, and ensuring efficiency. This allows the dryer to operate as intended by the manufacturer.
Dryer Vents Matter Too
As the dryer duct is the path that air, moisture, and lint take to leave your dryer, the dryer vent is the exit point of these materials, and can clog up too. Both are equally important, as neither one can be clogged for the dryer to work properly. When cleaning your dryer duct, always spend some time cleaning out the vent.
How Cleaning Improves Dryer Efficiency
Dryers are investments, and no one wants a dryer that doesn’t do its job the way it’s supposed to. How often you should clean your dryer duct depends on how often it’s used. Dryer ducts should be cleaned once a year for 1-2 person households, every 6 months for large families, heavy use, or homes with pets, and every 3-6 months if you use your dryer daily.
Do Your Dryer (and Home!) a Favor; Call Springer
Clogged dryer ducts can come with serious consequences. Our team at Springer Floor Care is equipped with the expertise and skills to clean and maintain your dryer duct and vent. Don’t wait for a fire; contact us today to schedule your professional dryer duct cleaning!