The Importance of Regular Dryer Vent Cleaning
With so many time-consuming chores, such as doing the lawn or cleaning the bathroom, homeowners tend to disregard a crucial task, which is cleaning the dryer vent. The job may not sound significant, but a neglected dryer vent can lead to serious damage. Therefore, cleaning the dryer vent regularly should be on everyone’s checklist.
In this entry, we’ll go through several problems blocked dryer vents can cause.
Why is cleaning the dryer vent necessary?
Dryers work by expelling hot, moist air to allow the clothes inside to dry. However, if lint blocks the dryer vent, the appliance can’t push out moisture the way it’s supposed to. Consequently, the water gets trapped, and a number of problems arise.
Namely, since dryers operate at extremely high temperatures, they can cause a fire if the vent is clogged. Apart from material damage, a blocked vent can lead to severe injuries. Considering this fact alone, it’s clear why cleaning dry vents regularly is a must.
If the dryer vent is clogged, it can’t be left unchecked. Instead, get the pros to examine the appliance and determine how to prevent fire hazards.
Apart from fires, dryer vents can give rise to other unpleasant scenarios. For example, they can result in a massive spike in the energy bill. If it’s not clear what caused the surge, the backed-up vent may be the culprit. While the vent is blocked, much more energy is used and wasted, racking up energy costs.
Additionally, various microorganisms can develop due to clogged dryer vents. Depending on the house’s structure, the outside area of the duct may attract birds and other animals trying to settle inside the ducts. As a result, the vent becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
Plus, the improper ventilation can even put the inhabitants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. This gas is a severe health hazard that can lead to many complications. For that reason, make sure to unclog the dryer vent as soon as possible.
How to recognize a blocked dryer vent
The easiest way to recognize a clogged dryer vent is to check if the hood opens. If it doesn’t, there’s likely lint build-up.
Next, if the dryer takes much longer to dry the clothes, it’s probably blocked. If so, the lifespan of the dryer and clothes can be reduced.
Finally, if clothes taken out from the dryer are hot, it means that it’s not exhausting through the vent correctly. The blockage doesn’t allow for proper air circulation, preventing the dryer from doing its job.
Clear, clean, and safe
Even if you have never considered the importance of dryer vents before, the situation should be dramatically different now. Keeping the vent clean is important both for safety and energy saving. Thus, don’t neglect the dryer vent to ensure it remains functional and non-hazardous.
Freedom Appliance of Tampa Bay has 13 years experience in professional repair and installation of all laundry and kitchen appliances and dryer duct cleaning. Call 813-302-7672 today!