According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss with failure to clean the dryer being the leading cause. When dryer vents are not properly cleaned they can result in irreversible damage to your house and property.
Here at Watson Brothers Chimney and Vent we want to ensure the safety of your family. Our certified experts are prepared to inspect and clean your dryer vent system in detail. Here are the warning signs that it is time to get your dryer vent cleaned:
The burning smell
A burning smell should alert you of a serious dryer vent problem. Lint and other debris that may be found in your dryer is easily flammable. When your dryer heats to a certain temperature and small lint pieces are trapped nearby, a burning smell will be emitted as everything heats up prior to a fire occurring.
In order to help avoid this potential issue, you should empty and clean your lint trap and dryer vent often. This will help to reduce the chance of lint and debris catching on fire.
Everything is hot
If you notice that your dryer and the clothes inside of it are very hot after a cycle, your dryer vent may need to be looked at. This increase in temperature means that the vent is not able to exhaust properly and has the potential to cause a fire due to trapped heat. Not only is this dangerous and a fire hazard but it also wears out the heating element and blower more which can result in a higher energy bill.
Your clothes aren't drying
If your clothes are taking longer than normal to dry or simply never do, your dryer vent should be inspected. If you are having to put your loads of laundry through multiple cycles of drying, there may be something such as lint blocking air from escaping, which will trap air and create a fire hazard.
The vent malfunctions
If the internal lint trap fills often, it may be a sign that your dryer vent needs a deep clean. If your dryer vent is full, the lint and debri that is produced during drying cycles will all be trapped in the lint trap. A clogged or full dryer vent will often produce a fire if not cleaned out.
The way that the dryer vent flap moves or does not move can also be a sign of your dryer vents condition. If your dryer vent hood does not open and close means that there is debri and lint inside of the vent preventing air from properly escaping.
Another sign that indicates your dryer vent is in need of cleaning is when lint and debri are pouring out of the flap surrounding the area.
It’s inspection time
While the amount of times that your clean your vent does depend on the frequency and quantity that laundry cycles are done, it is important to have it cleaned regularly and be aware of fire hazard signs.
Having your dryer vent cleaned regularly, even when they are not showing any signs of a potential issue, is important to help avoid the occurrence of a fire.
How we can help
Your dryer vent should not go unnoticed and while cleaning out the dryer vent inside your dryer is important, it does not clear everything in the entire system.
Our team at Watson's Brother Chimney and Vent puts your safety at the forefront of everything we do. We offer a variety of chimney and vent services to fully serve your property. Call us to learn more about how we can best serve you.