Things You Need to Know About Dryer Vent Cleaning: Dryer Vent Cleaning Glenview: Dryer vent cleaning is an essential maintenance task that can prevent sudden fire in your home. Regular maintenance is a must to avoid fire hazards, saves energy and extend the life of your dryer. A clogged or poorly maintained dryer vent is […]
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Dryer Vent Cleaning & Fire Hazards: What You Need to Know?
Dryer Vent Cleaning Glenview: Dryer vent cleaning is an essential maintenance task that can prevent sudden fire in your home. Regular maintenance is a must to avoid fire hazards, saves energy and extend the life of your dryer.
A clogged or poorly maintained dryer vent is not only a leading cause of house fires, but it can also reduce your dryer’s efficiency and longevity. A clogged vent can also lead to longer drying times, which not only wastes energy but also puts additional stress on the dryer, potentially leading to mechanical failures.
How Clogged Dryer Vents Cause Fire?
Lint is Highly Flammable – Lint accumulates in the vent and exhaust system, acting as fuel when exposed to heat.
Overheating – Restricted airflow forces the dryer to work harder thus increasing temperatures to dangerous levels.
Blocked Exhaust – A blocked vent traps hot, moist air, creating a fire hazard and potential carbon monoxide (CO) risks with gas dryers.
What are the Signs of a Clogged Dryer Vent?
Clothes take longer to dry
The dryer feels abnormally hot
A burning smell during the operation
Excess lint around the lint trap or outside vent flap
The vent hood flap doesn’t open properly when the dryer runs.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent? Once a year is good enough for smaller households with less family members and of course, every six months for larger households with more people. The more people you have in the home, the more likely the machine will be used more.
How to Clean Your Dryer Vent? Unplug the dryer and pull it away from the wall. Disconnect the vent hose from the dryer and wall. Vacuum lint from the hose, inside the dryer, and the exhaust duct. Use a vent brush or flexible rod to clean deep into the duct.
Check the exterior vent and remove any obstructions (nesting animals, debris).
Reassemble everything securely and test the dryer.
Additional Safety Tips:
- Do not run the dryer unattended.
- Replace plastic or foil ducts with rigid metal venting
- Clean the lint trap after every load.
- Ensure proper outdoor venting (no screens blocking airflow).
DIY Cleaning vs Professional Cleaning:
Some homeowners may opt to clean their dryer vents themselves using a brush or vacuum to save money. While this can help reduce lint buildup, it may not be as thorough as professional cleaning.
Conclusion:
A clean dryer vent prevents fires, saves energy, and extends your dryer’s life. Don’t overlook this simple but critical maintenance task!
