Whether you’re living in a rental or own your own unit(s) in a condominium, practically everyone can benefit from an annual dryer vent cleaning. Each dryer cycle produces lint that gets trapped by the lint screen within the dryer but much of the lint will collect within the dryer vent and will continue to accumulate until it’s properly extracted. If too much lint builds up, it can pose a safety hazard, decrease efficiency while increasing cost, and increase the wear and tear on the dryer and clothes.
The greatest benefit to dryer vent cleaning is the safety it provides. Poorly maintained dryer vents can have mold and mildew growth, become fire hazards, and even accumulate deadly Carbon monoxide within your home.
Dryer vents are typically constructed of aluminum transition hose and galvanized steel ducting. The transition hose connects the dryer to the wall while the steel duct runs through the walls/attic and out the exterior of the home. Many dryer vents in Florida that run through the foundation are unfortunately constructed from PVC. PVC should not be used for dryer venting since it retains the condensation of each dryer cycle. Because of this, every PVC ducting will have more extreme buildups of lint and must have an annual dryer vent cleaning. PVC vents will also have mold and mildew growth from the condensation buildup and can spread to other areas of the home. This condensation will mix with the lint from each cycle and should only be extracted by a professional to ensure that all the lint is properly removed.
Another common problem usually lies when the termination restricts the airflow. When the dryer is on, the exhaust air travels through the duct to the termination and will push open the hinged louver(s). After the cycle is finished, the louver(s) will retract again keeping the opening at the termination closed until the next cycle. Both side terminations and roof terminations will collect lint around the louver(s). If too much lint collects at the termination, the louver(s) may not open properly, restricting airflow and clogging will form. Additionally, side terminations may have critter guards installed to prevent birds and squirrels from nesting inside the vent. Critter guards must be cleaned periodically to ensure proper airflow. Roof terminations typically have screens installed. Like critter guards, these screens may prevent wildlife from getting in, but also prevent lint from getting out. Screens must be removed on roof terminations to prevent clogging and ensuring proper airflow. The dryer will experience unnecessary stress due to the airflow restriction. This added stress can malfunction internal parts and any spark can start a fire.
Additionally, gas dryers require routine vent cleaning and inspection to prevent gas from leaking inside the home. If a partial or total clog forms at the termination due to lint buildup or animal nesting, Carbon Monoxide, a deadly gas, can backdraft back into the home. Not only is this harmful/fatal to you and your family to breathe in but Carbon Monoxide is also a flammable gas. Adding Carbon Monoxide to an existing lint build up significantly increases the chance of a dryer fire. An annual cleaning will ensure that the dryer is exhausting safely and properly.
A dryer fire caused by a poorly maintained PVC vent. Unfortunately, these are pretty common…
Another great reason to have a routine dryer vent cleaning schedule is to save time and money. Dryer cycles should be on average between 45-60 minutes for a full load of clothes. With a clean vent, the dryer exhausts properly, expelling the moist air outside the home. Over time, lint will build up within the duct and at the termination causing a restriction of airflow. The dryer now has to work harder to perform the same job as before, decreasing efficiency. This translates to longer and multiple dryer cycles. If you have to run 2-3 cycles of drying per load of laundry, then you are doubling or tripling the energy spent which means increased utility costs. This will increase the energy cost it takes to dry your clothes. Having a clean dryer vent will save you time and money.
This is a preview of our camera inspection. The monitor shows how dirty this vent was beforehand.
Dryers provide the convenience of drying clothes quickly. Each time your clothes are dried, the heat from the dryer breaks down the fibers causing wear and tear to your clothes. Poorly maintained dryer vents increase the length of the dryer cycles additionally causing undue stress to the dryer itself. You may experience unnecessary maintenance to the dryer, repairing parts like thermal fuses, heating elements, and
thermostats. To lengthen the life of your clothes and dryer, make sure to have your dryer vent serviced annually.
Remember, a clean dryer vent can alleviate a host of problems that you may run into. The lint extracted will ensure safer drying, increased efficiency, and will decrease wear and tear. Save time and money today and give your family that peace of mind only a clean dryer vent can bring!
All hooked up and ready for a cleaning! This ensures that all lint is properly extracted.
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