Most homeowners don’t know that the dryer vent needs routine maintenance. In addition, are also subject to local safety codes. Not to mention, they are the cause of over 5000 house fires per year! Just as a fireplace produces smoke, carbon monoxide, and creosote; a dryer vent produces it’s own byproducts with an added complication – lint.
Lint is highly flammable. It can can obstruct the dryer vent hose, can fill the machine housing itself, and can lower the efficiency of your appliance substantially!
Signs Your Dryer Vent Needs Maintenance
- If your dryer requires more than one cycle to fully dry a load of clothes, it needs some professional attention. A dryer is designed to complete the job in one cycle of operation. So, if it takes more, there is most likely a lint buildup.
- The dryer emits heat. Many homeowners think it’s perfectly normal for the dryer to heat up their laundry room or house. This should not be the case. If the dryer is producing heat in this manner, it’s most likely to become a fire hazard and needs attention.
- The dryer vent outlet on the outside of the house is not releasing heat, steam, or lint particles during operation. What happens if the lint and vapors aren’t being vented outside? It is most likely obstructing air flow to the hose, preventing proper ventilation.
- The lint trap, dryer vent exhaust connection, or any other part of the dryer is smoking.
What You Can Do
Frequently check your dryer for signs of a problem. Troubleshoot by checking the dryer vent flap outside the house. If it becomes stuck it can prevent proper ventilation. Didn’t have your dryer vent professionally installed? Then you should check it for too many angles in the dryer vent hose, length of the hose, and a correct connection. The hose should not exceed 25 feet in length. In addition, each angled turn decreases this length by 5 feet! Metal ducts and flexible ducts have different uses. If you’re not sure it was installed correctly, you should call a professional today. It’s recommended to have your dryer vent inspected annually. If you haven’t had an inspection in the last year, your dryer vent may be clogged!
Certified Exhaust Technicians
When you call a CSIA Certified Exhaust Technician® you can rest easy! Your technician is trained and experienced in dryer vent installation, repair, and cleaning. If your clothes dryer was not installed by a professional and is performing poorly, you should call a professional today.
West Texas Chimney and Venting Solutions knows that carbon monoxide and house fires are deadly, whether it’s caused by a dryer vent or a chimney. The safety and comfort of our customers in Amarillo and surrounding areas is our top priority. This is why we offer a full menu of chimney and dryer vent services to our entire service area. When we clean your dryer vent we use brushes and special tools to loosen all lint and debris from the vent hose, connections, and outside flap. Then we use an industrial vacuum system to remove all lint, debris, and dust without leaving a mess in your house!
A West Texas Chimney and Venting Solutions certified exhaust technician is standing by. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call us today!
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