dryer vent cleaning - why it's so important!
Why you need to do it!
Clothes dryers evaporate the water from wet clothing by blowing hot air past them while they tumble inside a spinning drum. Heat is provided by an electrical heating element or gas burner. Some heavy garment loads can contain more than a gallon of water which, during the drying process, will become airborne water vapor and leave the dryer and home through an exhaust duct (more commonly known as a dryer vent).
While it’s important to clean the lint out of the filter every time you finish a load, it is equally important to be aware of how clean your dryer vent is and the type of exhaust vent materials that is being used.
The fibers in clothing create lint, and over time the pieces of lint that escape through the filter in the dryer can build up, leading to a potentially dangerous fire hazard, especially if any part of your dryers exhaust vent is made of a flammable material.
Things to check!
Make sure your ducts and transition hoses are made out of non-flammable material. Replace all vinyl type ducting/hoses with the appropriate metal type.
Make sure the flexible transition hose from the dryer to wall outlet is not bent or crushed, at all. The space behind your dryer should be sufficient as to provide adequate room for the transition hose to make the bends with minimal restrictions. Keep dryer exhaust ducts as straight and short as possible. Exhaust systems longer than the manufacturer’s recommendations can extend drying times, affect appliance operation and greatly enhances the probability of lint build-up inside the piping which could lead to a fire hazard.
If accessible, ensure that the entire length of the exhaust duct is of appropriate material, and is venting to the exterior and not inside the home.
Inspect the termination port of the dryer and look for any blockages from lint, pests or nests and remove immediately.
Feel for hot air leaving the vent at a reasonable rate and look at or feel the interior walls of the duct for any separation or blockages.
Any ripped filter or cracked exhaust vents should be replaced as soon as possible.
Signs there may be a problem!
- Clothes take longer and longer to dry
- Clothes are still damp and not fully dry at the end of the cycle you normally use
- Clothes are hotter than normal at the end of the drying cycle
- The outside of dryer gets very hot
- The outside exhaust vent damper does not open very much indicating low exhaust velocity
- Laundry room becomes more humid than it is usually
- A burnt smell is apparent in the laundry room.
Let Green Duct Services Help!
We will come in & clean up the lint build up in your dryer vent to help avoid the possibility of a fire hazard, improve energy efficiency to help you save money & increase proper airflow, creating shorter drying times. All of which improves safety for you & your loved ones.
