Time to clean your dryer vent
Your clothes dryer could be a ticking time bomb and a fire hazard. Here are 5 warning signs it’s time to clean your dryer vent:
- Drying time for clothes takes longer and longer
- When a dryer vent is clogged, the drying cycle can double or triple in time. Your clothes are not completely dry at the end of a regular cycle. Your dryer is designed to push out hot moist air for the clothes to dry. If the vent is blocked by lint, the damp air will stay in your dryer longer keeping your clothes damp.
- Your clothing and the outside of the dryer are very hot
- If you notice that your clothing is very hot at the end of the cycle or the dryer is hot to touch, the vent is not exhausting properly. A clogged vent wastes energy and can cause the heating element to wear out faster.
- You notice a burning smell
- Lint is very flammable and can build up in the exhaust tube, lint trap and even the drum casing. A hot dryer can catch on fire. Remember to empty the lint trap often.
- The vent hood flap doesn’t open properly
- Another red flag that you are due for a cleaning is that you can see lint or debris around the dryer hose or outside vent opening. An outside vent that doesn’t open when the dryer is running means air flow has been restricted due to lint build-up.
- It’s been more than a year since your last cleaning
- Dryer vents must be inspected at LEAST once a year, more often depending on how much you use your dryer. Hire a professional, like those here at LHT Cooling, Heating & Refrigeration, Inc. You can expect to pay $75 to $150 depending on the length and location of the dryer vent.
Keep your family safe from fire – it’s time to clean your dryer vent!