Dryer Vent Cleaning and Maintenance

Dryer Vent Cleaning: for safety and savings

Dryer vent cleaning is an important part of fire prevention and home maintenance. Dryer vent fires are the most common type of house fires in the United States, with an estimated 15,000 fires annually (in fact, there’s more dryer vent fires than chimney fires). It’s little wonder why dryer vent fires are such a problem. Lint traps give the average home owner a sense of safety.

Unfortunately lint traps only capture a fraction of the total lint, which leave the rest of it lining your dryer vent. Luckily, this highly combustible lining gives its presence away. There are several signs that you might have an excessive accumulation of lint inside your vent.

Lint clogging your vent manifests itself in poor performance and excessive heat. Clothes will take longer to dry completely, and feel hotter once removed. The dryer may feel hot to the touch, and your laundry room may be more hot and humid than is normal. A faint burning smell might also be noticeable.

Any of these symptoms are cause to clean your dryer vent.

Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning

Periodic dryer vent cleaning and maintenance is essential. It’s recommended that twice a year your dryer vent is checked for lint buildup. Most lint accumulates near the end of the end of the vent tubing and within the back of your dryer. Remove any large accumulations of lint by hand or using a vacuum.

For optimal safety it’s recommended that you have your dryer vent professionally cleaned annually. While most lint accumulated near the ends of the vent, large chunks of lint may get stuck in the middle. Dryer vents are frequently long and difficult to clean the length of without special tools. Additionally, various factors can greatly increase the rate of lint accumulation. Sharp bends or kinks in the venting are the most common causes of rapid lint build up. An unexpected cause of rapid buildup is running a dryer vent through a cold area, such as an attic. This will cause condensation that will greatly increase the rate of lint accumulation. A local professional will know these and many more hazards and will inspect your dryer vent to ensure your safety.

While safety is the most important aspect of dryer vent cleaning, people are often surprised by the amount they can save on electricity. A clogged lint trap prevents your dryer from working efficiently, requiring much longer dryer cycles. Keeping your dryer vent clean is an easy way to help keep your electricity bills low.

If, like most American homes, it’s been years since a professional cleaned your dryer vent, it’s time to schedule a cleaning. We at High’s Chimney provide dryer vent cleaning to Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. We take the utmost care to provide accurate, professional service that will leave your home clean and safe.