The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that dryers and washing machines cause an average of 15,970 fires a year, with dryers causing 92% percent of them. Failure to clean the dryer vent is the leading cause of of home dryer fires. Dryer vent cleaning on a regular basis is an inexpensive way to keep your home and family safe from dryer lint fires.
Rest assured there are many ways to tell if your dryer vent needs cleaning.
- Clothes take longer than normal to dry. If you've noticed a slowdown in drying time or your clothes are taking longer than 45 minutes to dry an average size load, this is often the first sign of lint build up in your line. Not only is this a fire hazard but it results in more stress to your dryer and higher utility bills with the prolonged use.
- Clothes are unusually hot to the touch. The most common reason for a dryer overheating is restricted airflow caused by lint build up in the line. This will result in your clothes feeling hotter to the touch than normal.
- The dryer itself is especially hot. Yes the dryer gets warn when its running, but it should not be to hot to touch.
- You've notice burning smells. A burning smell where you do laundry is another sign that you have something stuck in the dryer line and definitely increases the risk for a dryer fire.
- The lint trap feels damp or wet. This could mean that the dryer line is not exhausting out properly due to a clog or build up of lint.
- The room the dryer is in is warmer than normal. If this room is warmer than normal when your dryer is running, it could be a sign that you have a clog restricting airflow.
- You notice lint build up behind or around your dryer. If you see random lint pieces throughout your laundry area there is a good chance the line could be clogged or have connection issues.
- The outside lint flap is not opening. If you suspect restricted air flow , take a look at your outside vent. If it is not opening when the dryer is running, you may have lint stuck in the line.
- Some dryers will tell you. Some newer dryers will tell you if there is an issue via multiple error codes.
- Your dryer stops working. Some dryers will automatically shut off if it gets too hot.
- It has been more than a year since the dryer vent was cleaned. No matter how diligent you are about cleaning your dryers lint trap, lint WILL still get into the dryer vent line and may clog the line. Most residential dryers should be cleaned at least yearly.
If you are experiencing any of these signs with your dryer, stop and call a professional to properly inspect and clean the dryer vent! You do.not want to wait until you have multiple signs as that could be dangerous.
Most residential home dryer vents can be kept clean and safe with yearly cleaning by a professional with professional dryer vent cleaning tools. However if you do more laundry than normal, have multiple children and pets, you could benefit from having the dryer cleaned and inspected every 6 months.
Commercial dryer vent cleaning times can differ with the amount of use. Businesses like, hair salons, dog groomers, hotels and senior living often require 6 month cleanings to prevent lint build up and deterioration of the dryer lines. Lesser used dryers can go on a yearly cleaning schedule.
Even if you are diligent in cleaning your dryers lint trap after every load, lint, dirt, grass or anything that remains after the washing process can still get passed the lint trap and cause clogs in your line. With clogs and without proper airflow, any of the symptoms listed above can be extremely dangerous for your home or business. We advise our customers to get on a scheduled maintenance plan. If yearly, have it done the same month every year so that you do not forget. If you need a 6 month plan, have set dates so that you remember.
