The dryer is a household luxury that we often take for granted. Nothing feels better than cozy, warm clothing straight out of the dryer, but without properly cleaning your dryer vent, the consequences stretch far beyond damp pieces of clothing.
Most homeowners are blissfully unaware of what happens when you turn on your dryer. Every time you do a load of laundry, the dryer goes to work to pull out the moisture using heat. But where does this moisture go?
Take a look behind your dryer at the tube-like system running from your dryer to either the wall or window. This is your dryer vent. Your clothes are full of lint, dust, debris and other fabric particles, so when you toss a load into the dryer, these materials get into your dryer vent and clog up the system.
Just cleaning your dryer’s lint filter is not going to cut it. If you do not clean your dryer vent, it can create dangerous situations and cost you a lot of money. Watson Brothers Chimney & Vents is here to help keep your dryer vents maintained and your family safe.
Below are the most common issues that can arise if you ignore cleaning your dryer vent.
House Fires
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 92% of house fires involve clothes dryers, and more than half were caused by the ignition of clothes, lint, dust or fibers. The debris collects in the dryer vent, making your machine work harder than usual. With the debris blocking the vent, the dryer overheats creating a fire.
Equipment failure
If you need multiple cycles to dry your clothes, this might indicate that you need to clean your dryer vent. When you do not properly clean your dryer vent, your dryer is essentially working double time.
A clogged dryer vent prevents your machine from functioning at full capacity and more often than not, will cause premature dryer failure. If your vent is clogged up with debris, the moist air in your dryer has no room to escape. This build-up of moisture hinders your dryer to perform its only function.
High Utility Bill
Longer drying time means higher utility bills. If there is an obstruction in your dryer vent, your appliance is forced to work harder and longer to dry the contents inside. Regularly cleaning your dryer vent duct can save you money, by reducing the amount of cycles needed to dry a load of laundry.
Mold
Mold is a major concern if you do not clean your dryer vent. With a clogged dryer vent, moisture is unable to escape creating an ideal environment for mold growth. If heat and moisture are not properly vented from your laundry area, mold and mildew may begin to grow in your dryer, dryer vent, on clothing and in or around the laundry area.
Drying a load of laundry accumulates about a half-gallon of water. When your vent is already clogged, the moisture mixes with excess debris and creates a paper mache that sticks to the vent walls. This can bring health related problems including respiratory issues and allergic reactions.
Insects and Rodents
A clogged dryer vent, believe it or not, can be a great way to attract insects and rodents. A cozy, lint-filled pipe is the perfect home for small four-legged animals and other creepy critters. The humid climate inside these vents are a prime breeding ground for termites and ants.
Don’t Let Your Dryer Vent Go Overlooked
It is important to get your dryer vent professionally cleaned at least once a year. If you cannot remember the last time that you had your dryer vent cleaned, it is definitely time to do so. The consequences of a clogged dryer vent can be dangerous, expensive and detrimental to your health.
Watson Brothers Chimney & Vent are ready to take on the complicated and messy process of dryer vent cleaning. Our technicians can properly remove all lint and debris, and repair if needed, in order to ensure your vent is up to code and not a potential fire hazard. Our experts are knowledgeable in both cleaning and repairing any of your dryer vent components for lasting efficient function. Call us today!