According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), dryers caused an estimated 15,456 house fires in 2010. In fact, they are number one reason homes catch on fire. Of the 15,456 dryer fires, 32 percent or 4,946 dryer fires were caused by improperly cleaning or not cleaning the lint screen and dryer vent, and the risk in the same regardless of whether you use an electric or gas dryer.
Cleaning out your lint screen after each load is the first step to preventing dryer fires, but this step does not remove all the lint from inside your dryer. Some of the lint from your clothes moves through the screen and into your dryer vent where is slowly builds-up until it obstructs the airflow and increases your risk for a dryer fire if your unit overheats.
How Dryer Vent Cleaning Works
Here at Perfect Duct Cleaners, our dryer vent cleaning service removes all the lint from your dryer vent and lint screen as well as the area surrounding your dryer. The process starts when we remove your lint screen and dryer vent. We use a variety of methods for to dislodge the lint from the crevices of your dryer vent and the area where the lint screen is inserted, which include air whips, soft bristle high powered brushes, and HEPA vacuum extraction methods.
For metal ductwork we may use hard bristled brushes to more effectively dislodge all the lint and debris. We then remove all the lint from inside the lint screen area and your dryer vent before inspecting it for cleanliness. The cleaning process is repeated until there is no more lint left in your vent, lint screen area and lint screen. Once all the lint is removed, we will reattach your dryer vent to your dryer and outside vent and insert your lint screen.
Cleaning the Dryer Vent: Facts You Should Know
When a dryer vent is clogged, you should think about cleaning the dryer vent. Clogged dryer vents reduce airflow and force the dryer to work harder, which can cause:
- The temperature of the dryer to increase dramatically
- Accelerated thermostat failure
- Higher energy consumption
- Reduction in the lifespan of your appliance
Why You Need Dryer Vent Cleaning
Dryer lint builds-up inside your vent after each load of clothes you dry. This is because when you put your clothes into your dryer, they still contain about half a gallon of water. As your clothes dry, that water mixes with the cloth fibers and loosens them, creating lint. While a lot of that lint is caught in your screen, some of it makes it way into your dryer vent where it collects in the crevices and along corners where it builds-up over a period of many months.
The slow build-up of lint eventually obstructs the flow of air from your dryer, which can lead to the outside of your dryer getting hotter than normal, low or non-existent air flow when you check the outside area of your vent, a burning or hot smell while your dryer operates and an increase in the humidity in your laundry room. Your clothes may also take longer to dry and be too hot to touch directly after your dryer finishes its drying cycle.
If it’s been awhile since your last dryer vent cleaning or you notice any of these warning signs, you should schedule an appointment with us for a dryer vent cleaning service. Cleaning out your dryer vent will reduce the humidity and heat in your laundry room, lower your risk of experiencing a dryer fire, and reduce the amount of time it takes to dry your clothes, which will save you money on your utility bills.
Dryer lint builds-up inside your vent after each load of clothes you dry. This is because when you put your clothes into your dryer, they still contain about half a gallon of water. As your clothes dry, that water mixes with the cloth fibers and loosens them, creating lint. While a lot of that lint is caught in your screen, some of it makes it way into your dryer vent where it collects in the crevices and along corners where it builds-up over a period of many months.
The slow build-up of lint eventually obstructs the flow of air from your dryer, which can lead to the outside of your dryer getting hotter than normal, low or non-existent air flow when you check the outside area of your vent, a burning or hot smell while your dryer operates and an increase in the humidity in your laundry room. Your clothes may also take longer to dry and be too hot to touch directly after your dryer finishes its drying cycle.
If it’s been awhile since your last dryer vent cleaning or you notice any of these warning signs, you should schedule an appointment with us for a dryer vent cleaning service. Cleaning out your dryer vent will reduce the humidity and heat in your laundry room, lower your risk of experiencing a dryer fire, and reduce the amount of time it takes to dry your clothes, which will save you money on your utility bills.
Signs You Need Dryer Vent Cleaning:
- Consider cleaning the dryer vent if… it takes more than one drying cycle to dry one load of laundry
- Consider cleaning the dryer vent if … the dryer is hot to the touch indicating it is overheating
- Consider cleaning the dryer vent if … clothes smell “musty” after being in the dryer
- Consider cleaning the dryer vent if … you see an increase in energy bills (dryer has to run longer and work harder to dry clothes)
Did You Know?
- Cleaning the dryer vent enables the dryer to perform properly
- Cleaning the dryer vent allows clothes to dry more quickly and evenly
- Cleaning the dryer vent can save $18-$24 on monthly power bills
- Cleaning the dryer vent creates peace of mind by eliminating a potential fire hazard
- Cleaning the dryer vent limits mold, mildew and other bacteria on your clothes and in your home
Less Lint Means More Money in Your Pocket
Keeping a lint-free dryer vent can save lives. And it can also save you money. Not only will you not have to worry about spending thousands of dollars on post-dryer-fire home repairs, but you’ll also wind up with cheaper energy bills. The more lint in your dryer vent, the more energy and money you’ll wind up wasting.
Excess lint can also cause your dryer vent to resist the flow of exhaust, causing the dryer to get hotter than it is supposed to. This places unnecessary stress on your dryer, and if left untreated, the lifespan of your dryer will decrease while the cost of repairs will increase. Fortunately, our Monster Vac experts can save you from expensive costs, repairs, and appliance replacements. Our residential dryer vent cleaning services help you protect your home and your budget.