Dryer Vent Cleaning: Why, When, What?
If your clothes dryer has been acting up, it could be trying to tell you something — like, “Clean my vents . . .please!”
If your clothes dryer has been acting up, it could be trying to tell you something — like, “Clean my vents . . .please!”
Here’s why and when to get your dryer vents cleaned, plus a list of warning signs that your dryer needs a good dryer vent cleaning in San Jose..
Why You Should Get Your Dryer Vents Cleaned
Many home owners have no idea their clothes dryer ducts need routine cleaning and thus it is a n often neglected “to do” item.
According to the National Fire Protection Agency, clothes dryers and washing machines were responsible for an estimated 16,800 house fires in the U.S. in 2010. That’s 4.5% of all house fires.
Along with the danger of fire damage in, clogged dryer vents can:
● Cost you more on your energy bill (see cost chart here.)
● Decrease the lifespan of your dryer
● Invite animals to nest in your vents (with clogged hood vents animals can make their way into your ducting).
When to Clean Dryer Vents in San Jose
Now that you understand the risks and benefits, you can see regular cleaning is a must.
By “regular,” we mean about once a year. A family with four children, for instance, may want to have their dryer vents cleaned more frequently.
Most experts recommend having your vents cleaned professionally. There are do-it-yourself options, but unless you’re a trained specialist, you probably won’t get rid of all the lint; worse, you could actually compact some of the lint, thus creating a worse problem. And many “do-it-yourself” kits don’t hold up and the brushes end up breaking off inside the dryer duct, requiring professional removal.
Warning Signs Your Dryer Needs to Be Cleaned
So, how do you know if your dryer needs cleaning?
For starters, if you don’t remember the last time your vents were cleaned (let alone by a professional), it’s time to schedule a service visit in San Jose.. If nothing else, it’s a good fire safety precaution for your family.
Second, you can take a look at these warning signs to see if your dryer is showing symptoms of dirty vents:
● Your clothes aren’t getting dry. If it takes more than 35-40 minutes to dry a regular load of laundry.
● Your dryer is hot to the touch. If your dryer or clothes are extremely hot during or at the end of a cycle, a blocked vent could be the cause.
● Your laundry room feels hot or humid. If your dryer vent can’t push the air outside your home, it’s got to go somewhere (a.k.a. leak out
into your laundry room).
● You notice a musty smell. If the hot, damp air from your dryer is leaking inside your home, that will also cause a musty smell (or even a
burning smell, if the lint has started a spark in your dryer — in which case you should stop using your dryer immediately and call a
professional).
● Your vent hood flap doesn’t open properly. If your duct hood flap isn’t opening like it should, or if you see lint or debris around the dryer hose or outside vent opening, the air flow has been restricted, causing dangerous buildup.
Book Your Dryer Vent Cleaning in the Bay Area
Think you’re due for a dryer vent cleaning?
When you consider the fact that it lowers your risk of fire damage— you probably won’t hesitate to book your dryer vent cleaning now