10 Signs You Need a Dryer Vent Cleaning
We all need to do laundry – there’s just no way around it. Clean clothes make you feel good and fresh, and always smell great too. But what about your dryer? You know, the thing that makes your clothes dry. Do you ever take a second look at it to see how it’s doing? Is everything working correctly? How’s the dryer vent? This article sheds light on some instances when you need to consider expert dryer vent cleaning in Dayton, Ohio.
When Do You Need Dryer Vent Cleaning?
Not having your dryer vent cleaned could be a huge mistake. A lot of people never give their dryer a second glance until it isn’t drying well or stops working altogether. Your clothes dryer needs to vent to the outside world for proper airflow and ventilation.
Every time you do laundry, the dryer’s heating element heats up the air inside the drum to dry your clothes. The dryer then releases this hot, moist air – if it’s going out through the vent, that’s great.
BUT, if the vent is clogged or broken, that hot moist air just goes into the area surrounding your dryer which can lead to some very serious consequences. That’s why dryer vents need to be properly maintained.
Lint build-up in your dryer vent is one of the most common signs that you need to schedule professional dryer vent cleaning. Other signs you might need a cleaning – dryer vent is clogged up with lint and you can’t get it out.
If your laundry isn’t drying like it used to and your clothes take longer than usual to dry, if you notice that the area around your dryer seems excessively hot, this is another common sign of a build-up in your dryer vent.
A loud fan noise when you are drying clothes could mean there is too much pressure being released from inside the dryer into the surrounding area. This pressure is forcing air out in an uncontrolled fashion, which can cause problems with your dryer vent’s internal ductwork.
You might need to schedule a dryer vent cleaning if you ever see sparks coming from inside your dryer (a very dangerous but common sign of lint build-up).
It’s important to make sure you schedule dryer vent cleaning regularly to avoid these and other problems.
Watch Out for These 10 Deadly Warning Signs
Your dryer vent only has a limited lifespan and will need to be replaced at some point. Keeping it clean ensures that the dryer works as efficiently as possible as long as possible, which is good for your clothes, your wallet and your home’s energy usage.
Many homeowners tend to wait until they notice a problem before deciding to call in a professional for dryer vent cleaning. While this is better than ignoring the signs completely, it’s still not ideal and you could end up with problems that are more costly and difficult to deal with further down the line.
Here are 10 signs you need a dryer vent cleaning:
- The outside of your dryer is excessively hot.
- Your electric bill has gone up.
- Your dryer takes longer to dry your clothes.
- You are getting mildew or lint on your clothes after they come out of the dryer.
- Your laundry room is excessively hot, even if it doesn’t feel warm to you.
- Your dryer’s motor seems to be working harder than usual.
- You hear a grinding or rattling sound when your dryer is in use.
- Your laundry room, ceiling, walls, and/or floor are covered with lint and dust bunnies.
- Your clothes seem unusually hot after coming out of the dryer. Or you see scorch marks on your clothes.
- Your dryer’s exhaust pipe is clogged, loose, or restricted.
The Bottom Line
If you recognize any of these signs, contact a licensed professional to check out your dryer vent swiftly and efficiently. Dryer vent cleaning in Dayton, Ohio can help ensure that your clothes dryer vents properly to prevent fire hazards as well as doing your part to conserve energy through properly working appliances.