As a homeowner, you should make it a point to regularly clean out your dryer vents. Not only is this important to ensure the machine can operate as efficiently as possible, but it’s also a big safety concern. According to research from the National Fire Protection Association, the appliance is the cause of thousands of fires in homes across the United States every year. This is because a buildup of lint, combined with the heat produced while the appliance is in operation, can cause a greater fire risk.
With this in mind, here are just a few signs that indicate you should have professional dryer vent cleaners in Weber County, UT come out to your property:
- It takes longer for your clothes to get dry: If a dryer vent gets clogged up, the drying cycle can take up to two or three times as long as it typically would. You may start to notice clothes not being completely dry at the end of a standard cycle. The air might also stay inside your dryer rather than pushing out through the vent, meaning your clothes may still be hot and moist. The longer your dryer has to run to get your clothes dry, the more wear and tear a single load puts on your dryer, making early breakdowns much more likely.
- The outside of the dryer is hot after running it: Have you noticed that your clothes or the dryer itself are very hot to the touch after the drying process is done? This could mean the vent is not releasing its exhaust or heat properly. If you have a clogged system, this means you’re not only wasting energy, but the excess heat buildup could cause the heating element and blower to wear out faster.
- The vent hood flap isn’t opening like it should: If you see debris or lint forming around the dryer hose or the vent opening outside of your house, or if your duct hood flap isn’t opening as it’s designed to, this means air flow has been blocked due to a buildup of lint. You’ll need to remove the lint to allow air to freely move through the system once again.
- Burning smells: If you smell a faint burning odor, this is a telltale sign of a lint buildup, and it’s important that you stop using the appliance as soon as you notice this smell. Remember, lint is very flammable, so if the dryer gets too hot, it could result in the lint catching fire. You should remember to empty the lint trap as well to help prevent this, but a burning smell should cause you to stop the load immediately and wait to use the appliance until you’ve had a professional come in and take a look at it.
It can help you to have your washer and dryer regularly inspected to make sure they’re in good operating condition. For more information about how you can benefit from the services of dryer vent cleaners in Weber County, UT, contact Fresh Ducts today.
