How to Tell if it's Time to Get Your Dryer Vent Cleaned

You might be surprised to know how important it is to maintain the cleanliness of your home’s dryer vent. Not only will this increased attention to your household appliances improve the machine’s efficiency – it will drastically reduce the likelihood of a fire as well. In this listicle, we will provide a checklist of signs that your dryer vent needs cleaning and explain how professional cleaning services can help you. 

Cleaning Your Vents: A Dryer Safety Issue 

Lint can catch fire easily. If you don't clean your dryer, it can cause fires at home. The US Fire Administration says not cleaning your dryer is the main reason for these fires. Keeping vents clean helps prevent fires and keeps your home safe. Plus, clean dryer vents help your dryer work better and save you money on energy bills.

Can I Clean Dryer Vents Myself? 

DIY cleaning represents significant risk. Unless you have equipment used by trained technicians, you might miss critical accumulations of lint, which is a leading cause of house fires. Professionals have the right expertise to maximize ventilation in your dryer, reducing risks and improving your dryer’s performance. 

Warning Signs It’s Time to Clean Dryer Vents 

1. Longer Drying Times

If it’s taking longer than ever to dry your clothes, it could be because you have a clogged dryer vent. When lint and other material build up in the vent, it restricts how much air is going through, which impacts how well your clothes dry. As a result, it’s also using more energy than necessary, potentially shortening your dryer’s life. If your clothes are still wet after a normal drying cycle, you need to have your vents cleaned.

2. Clothes Smell Musty 

Another good way to tell whether your dryer vent is filled with lint or not is if your clothes come out of the dryer smelling musty. If so, moisture has been trapped in the vent long enough for mold to grow. Smelling musty clothes is an indicator to call and have your vents taken care of before there is a health risk.

3. Overheating/Burning Smells 

Your dryer can overheat or you may smell something burning when you run it if your vent becomes clogged. When lint blocks the exit of hot air, the dryer overheats or may catch fire. Clogged dryer vents pose a serious safety hazard to your home.

4. Excessive Lint 

If you emptied the lint trap after each time you used the appliance and still found excessive amounts of lint on your clothes, lint had gathered inside because the vent had failed to exhaust lint at the outside opening. Have your vents cleaned to prevent the accumulation of lint from starting a fire.

5. Laundry Room Hotter Than Normal 

When the dryer is running, does your laundry room feel warmer than it normally would? Have you inspected the vent to ensure that it hasn’t become clogged? The hot air produced by your dryer gets exhausted through the vent when it’s running. If the air is constricted and unable to escape, it will remain in your laundry room. This will create a warmer-than-normal environment, upping the chances of a fire and making laundry day an uncomfortable prospect.

6. Blocked Vent Hood 

The vent hood is the opening on the outside of your dryer through which it vents hot air, and a clear sign of a buildup of lint or other materials would be if debris from inside your home began to cover this opening. If there is a blockage here, this will impede the venting of hot, moist air away from your home – and that could result in fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.

7. It’s Been Over a Year Since Last Cleaning 

If you're unsure about the last time your dryer vents were cleaned, it's likely a good moment to schedule a service. Regardless of whether you notice any of the previously mentioned signs, routine cleaning is advised to prevent lint accumulation and maintain your dryer's safety and efficiency.

How Do I Clean My Dryer Vent? 

Because DIY cleaning has a great potential for disaster, it is best left to professionals. This way, you’ll assure that your dryer vent cleaning is thorough and that all the lint has been removed. You’ll eliminate the risk of fire and extend the lifespan of your dryer. If you don’t want to leave your home in jeopardy and let your dryer function poorly, enlist our services to clean your dryer vents. We are Lakeshore Air Duct Cleaning, your reliable source for quality dryer vent cleaning, ensuring your home remains safe and your dryer stays in top shape. 

Keep your house safe and your dryer working properly – hire Lakeshore Air Duct Cleaning, the professionals for dryer vent cleaning, today!