Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Dryer Vent

Regular dryer vent cleaning is a must in order to ensure that your dryer works as efficiently as possible and to avoid hazardous situations such as fire. But the sad truth is that a lot of homeowners take this maintenance task for granted.

Clogged dryer vent is one of the leading causes of residential fires. For safety reasons, it is imperative to hire a professional and clean your dryer vent thoroughly.

So how do you know your dryer vent needs to be cleaned? Here are the signs that suggest it’s time to do so.

Your dryer is hot to touch

It is normal for the dryer to feel warm after a cycle. But if you notice that it becomes extremely hot to touch, it is a clear sign that your dryer vent is not exhausting properly or your dryer is overworked.

A burning smell

Dryer vents are designed to push hot air out. Because lint is extremely flammable, it can be a real fire hazard. If you notice a burning smell, be warmed. Your dryer is about to catch fire. If this happens, discontinue use. Also, make it a habit to clean your lint trap after every use to prevent fire.

Longer drying time

Lint can build up over time in different parts of your dryer. The drying time can double or triple when a dryer vent is clogged. This does not only cause your electricity bill to skyrocket, it also puts a strain on the equipment and creates a safety hazard in your home.

Weird odor

Weird odor may be indication that your system is clogged. Since moisture cannot leave the unit when it’s clogged, you may notice that your clothes smell like mold or mildew after they have been dried.

You haven’t had it cleaned in more than a year

Dryer vents should be cleaned and inspected at least once a year. If it’s been more than a year since you’ve done so, it’s time to call in a professional.

Some avoid this step thinking that it’s just a waste of money. But the extra money you spend on having your dryer vent cleaned will help keep your family safe.

 

Have You Cleaned Your Dryer Vent Lately?

Have you noticed that your dryer is running longer than it used to? Does the dryer get hot when in use? Do clothes come out wet, hot or smell musty after one cycle? If you answered yes to all these questions, then you might need to call in a professional and clean the dryer vent for you.

Removing clogs from vents come with a wide range of benefits. Here are some of them.

Save money

A full load of washing usually takes about 50 minutes to dry. When the dryer is taking more time than it used to, consider calling a professional and have the vents cleaned.

The dryer is one of the most expensive appliances to operate. Once your vent is cleaned, drying time will be reduced and you’ll see a significant reduction on your energy bill. Some homeowners enjoy as much as $30 reduction.

Extend the life of the dryer

The clothes dryer is one of those appliances most homeowners rely on. But without proper care and maintenance, you may need to replace it sooner. With annual dryer vent cleaning, your dryer will run more efficiently and will be able to serve you for the years to come.

Safety

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 fires that occur in the country each year are associated with clothes dryer. A huge percentage of these fires are due to clogged dryer vents.

Lint is a flammable substance. This combined with extreme heat that is needed to dry your clothes increases the risk of a dryer fire. Don’t let your dryer become a fire hazard. Call a professional and have your dryer vents cleaned at least once a year. This is important so as to keep your home and your family safe from fire.

Dryer vent cleaning usually costs about $100 to $150. But given its benefits, the cost is well worth it.

When was the last time you had your dryer vent cleaned? If you have never had your dryer vent cleaned before, now is the right time to do so. Call us today to learn more about the benefits of cleaning your dyer vent.

Reasons Why Your Dryer Is Not Drying Well

Everyone loves fresh, clean clothes but many of us hate the idea of doing laundry. Why? Because it’s time consuming and laborious. Add to that, the dryer isn’t working properly and your clothes keep coming out damp. Quite frustrating, isn’t it?

Don’t let a lengthy drying time get you down. This week, let’s take a quick peek at 3 problem areas that could be making your machine become poky.

Lint filter partially blocked

It is a good idea to wash your lint screen with hot water and soap after every cycle. Remember, it is the first line of defense against dust, lint, hair and other debris so you need to make sure it’s clean.

Consider doing a water test to determine whether the lint screen is doing its job well. Turn the faucet on and hold the filter about 6 inches below it. Water should flow through it effortlessly. Also, don’t forget to check the lint screen for damage.

Clogged vent

If the dryer feels really hot but the clothes are still damp after one cycle, then this could be a sign that the vent is clogged. A clogged vent traps excess heat inside the dryer’s drum. If the air can’t circulate due to the blockage, it can overheat. This is a huge fire hazard.

Go outside while the dryer is running to check if warm air is passing through the vent exit. If you are not getting a good airflow, you probably have a blockage along the line. Be sure to have dryer vent professionally cleaned and inspected annually.

Lose timer knob

This is a common problem among dryers with knob type timer. If the knob is loose, there’s a tendency that the dryer is not staying on as long as it should. What you think is 55 minutes may only be 45 minutes.

Reasons to Clean Your Dryer Vent

Not everyone knows that dryer vents need to be cleaned. Cleaning your dryer vent is an important task that you should really be doing to protect your family and your home.

If you haven’t had your dryer vent cleaned before, then you should consider having it done one of these days. You’ll be amazed at the difference a clean dryer vent can make. Here are a few reasons why you should.

Safety

The best reason to regularly clean your dryer vent is to prevent fire. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are 16,800 dryer vent fires every year. Failure to clean the vents is said to be the biggest factor contributing to these fires.

Lint gets trapped in the dryer vent, preventing the system to exhaust properly and cause it to overheat. If left unserviced, your dryer vent can become a fire hazard. Don’t let your home be a part of this statistic. Contact a professional and have it cleaned annually.

Reduced energy bill

Lint and other debris will build up over time. This increases energy consumption, especially since the dryer is running longer than it used to.

A full load of washing usually takes 50 minutes to dry. But if your clothes are not dry in one cycle, then you are certainly losing money. In fact, you add about $0.70 to your energy bill every time your dyer goes through a cycle.

After having your dryer vent cleaned, you won’t be wasting time waiting on your clothes to dry. You should notice a reduction in your drying time and energy bill after the procedure.

Extend the life of your dryer

When the dryer is taking more time than it used to, homeowners often assume that it is due to a mechanical problem. Little did they know that a clogged dryer vent is the real cause of the problem.

Having your vents cleaned on a regular basis will not only extend the life of your dryer, it will also save you from spending a lot of money on repairs.

Laundry Room Maintenance

The laundry room is considered to be one of the most important rooms in your home. But when it comes to home maintenance, it may not be at the top of your priority list. In fact, it often gets next to no TLC.

Neglected appliances and an untidy space can create a household hazard and hamper your laundry room’s productivity. Believe it or not, some of the greatest potential for fire and flood comes from your washer and dryer. If lint builds up inside the dryer, it can erupt in flame. Washers, on the other hand, can spill hundreds of gallons of water if left unattended.

Check out these tips to prevent such mishaps and maintain a safe laundry room.

Wash the washer

It may sound ironic, but the washer also needs to be washed. Residue from fabric softeners and detergents can accumulate over time; thus, causing foul odors and performance issues.

Instead of using detergent, use white vinegar to clean the washer. Also, don’t forget to clean the filters. Remove dirt and debris, soak them in white vinegar and rinse them in cold water.

Check your washer hoses

Traditional rubber hoses can leak, crack and burst over time. For an extra measure of safety, replace your hoses with reinforced braided ones. Also, consider shutting off the water in between washer loads.

Clean your dryer vent

Make it a habit to clean lint traps after every use and vacuum the filter chamber to remove clump of lints that are trapped there. This is essential for keeping the appliance operating safely and efficiently. Lint buildup can engulf the dryer and your home in flames. In fact, it is responsible for nearly 15,000 residential fires and multiple deaths each year.

Never leave the washer unattended

Never go to bed or leave the house with your dryer, washer or any appliance running.  This way, it would be easier for to act and control the damage in case of accidents.

Dryer Vents Fires Are a Real Danger

For most of us, the clothes dryer is an indispensable convenience and necessity. However, very few people realize the dangers of clothes dryer fires.

According to the US Fire Department, clothes dryer fire is the number 1 cause of house fires. In fact, an estimate of 2,900 clothes dryer catches fire in residential buildings each year. This translates to $35 million damage in properties, 100 injuries and 5 deaths every year. The culprit – clogged dryer vent.

It is very common for lint to build up inside the clothes dryer. Throw in some jackets, coats, blankets and flannel sheets into your dryer and lint will build up much faster.

Lint is a highly combustible material, which can create a potentially hazardous condition, including the possibility of fires and carbon monoxide extrusion. There are times when the lint would burn inside the machine and cause damage to the appliance. Or worse, the flame could spread, damaging your home and belongings, cause injury to homeowners or even death.

In addition to that, blockage in the dryer vent system will cause a dryer to run hotter. A clogged vent will not exhaust properly; thus, causing it to overheat and a fire may ensure.

Homeowners who are aware of this problem think that they can avert the risk by cleaning out the lint screen after every load. Keep in mind, though, that this can only reduce the risk, not totally eliminate it. Why? Because the lint screen is not capable of filtering all of the lint. 75% of lint will go into the vent and stick to the walls; while only 25% will be caught by the lint screen.

To ensure that you have a safe and efficient dryer vent system, it is important to have it cleaned at least once a year. While some prefer to do it on their in the hopes of saving money, calling in a professional to do the job will give you peace of mind since you can be sure that your vent system will be lint-free after cleaning. This simple service might end up saving you, your family and your home from a horrible tragedy.

 

Warning Signs That it’s Time to Clean Your Dryer Vent

Having a washer and a dryer is a convenience. However, cleaning the dryer vent is a maintenance task that most homeowners are not really aware of.

As lint and other debris build up over time, it causes restriction or reduction of airflow. Failure to maintain your dryer vent may result to a dryer fire.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there has been a steady increase in the occurrence of dryer fires over the last decade.

AdvantaClean is dedicated in reducing fire hazards in your home.  So, we have decided to give you rundown of the warning signs that would indicate that it’s time to clean your dryer vent.

Drying time takes longer

When your dryer vent is clogged, the dryer has to work twice as hard just to get the clothes dry. As a result, drying time takes longer than usual.

For your clothes to dry, the dryer has to push out the hot, moist air. But when blockage occurs, the air stays in the dryer. This extra drying time will not only add to your electric bill, it may also cut the machine’s life in half.

Burning smell

Notice that burning smell when you run the dryer? That’s probably because of lint. Mind you, lint is extremely flammable and causes a burning smell when it gets too hot. So, stop using the dryer if you notice a burning smell and call a professional immediately.

Clothing seems unusually hot after a drying cycle

If your clothes are unusually hot at the end of the cycle, this may be an indication that your system is clogged and the vent is not exhausting properly.

You notice a musty smell

This is due to accumulated moisture in the dryer duct. As mentioned earlier, heat gets trapped inside the dryer when the vent is clogged.

If you notice any of the signs listed above, be sure to contact an HVAC specialist or a company that specialize in cleaning dryer vents. Do your part and have your dryer vents cleaned every year to keep your family safe.

Benefits of a Clean Dryer Vent

Dryer vent cleaning is an important home maintenance that most people aren’t aware of. This task is necessary to protect both your family and your home.

Here are some of the benefits of a clean dryer vent.

Reduced drying time

A full load of washing should only take 30 to 40 minutes to dry. Due to the buildup of lint, the dryer starts working harder and our clothes takes longer to dry.

After having your dryer vent cleaned, you won’t be wasting hours waiting on the clothes to dry. You’ll notice a significant reduction in your drying time and energy bills as well.

Prevent household fire

Over time, lint and other debris build up in your dryer vent. A blocked vent may cause the dryer itself to overheat, making it a fire hazard. In fact, more than 15,000 fires occur each year due to dryer vents alone. By having your dryer vents cleaned, you can remove this threat to your home and family.

Reduced maintenance calls

Overheating is one of the most common causes of breakdown. This damages the sensors and causes the dryer to wear down quickly. The removal of lint and debris buildup will allow the dryer to function quickly and more efficiently.

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

The use of a gas clothes dryer can help you save money and dry your clothes more quickly. But if not properly vented, it will emit carbon monoxide into your home. This can be particularly alarming if you have younger children.

Having your dryer vent cleaned is not enough to ensure that it is properly vented. The dryer hose should also be inspected. To be on the safe side, it would be best to contact a professional to have your dryer vents properly cleaned and inspected.

If you haven’t had your dryer vent cleaned before, then you should definitely consider having this done as soon as possible.