Read on to learn more about telltale signs that it’s time for a professional dryer vent cleaning.
Clean dryer vents are underrated. When the ducts and vents in your dryer are clean and lint-free, your clothes dry better and faster – plus you avoid several common risks. Not only are clogged dryer vents a fire hazard, they also decrease the lifespan of your dryer, use up to 30% more energy, hike up your energy bill, and invite animals to nest in the warm, soft lint in the ducts. Not exactly desirable! Luckily, keeping clean dryer vents is easy if you know the right tips, tricks, and signs to look for.
You Might Need a Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning if…
Clothes take longer than usual to dry.
How long does it take to dry your clothes? If your usual timer goes off and your clothes are still damp, then you might be wondering why your dryer’s performance has started to decline. Longer drying times are one of the first signs that there’s lint buildup in the vents or ducts. The more you continue to use your ineffective dryer, the more you increase your energy usage (and your utility bill).
It smells like something is burning.
If unusual smells are emanating from the laundry room, particularly musty, moldy, or burnt odors, stop using the dryer immediately. When clogged ducts prevent heat and moisture from properly venting, mold and mildew may begin to grow in your dryer. Burning odors coming from the dryer usually indicate that lint has begun to spark somewhere in the dryer vents or ducts, which is a serious fire hazard. No need to throw out the whole dryer – a good cleaning can remove lint from the ducts and resolve these issues.
Excessive lint appears in the lint trap after each cycle.
Lint doesn’t just disappear. When clogs appear, lint that should be pushed through the vent line may build up instead. Lint can accumulate in spaces throughout the system and laundry area, remain on your clothes since the dryer has nowhere to dispose of it, or bunch up behind the dryer and in the door seal. So much trapped lint is a fire waiting to happen.
It’s been a year since your last professional dryer vent cleaning.
For best performance, dryer longevity, and maximum safety, dryer vents and ducts should be professionally cleaned annually. Most professional cleaners use a special brush with a vacuum extension to get deep in the nooks and crannies of the dryer vent system. Between annual cleanings, make sure to regularly clean out the lint trap and lint screen – and never overload your dryer.
Hire Our Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning
The Irish Sweep specialists can get deep into your vent system where most household cleaning methods can’t reach, so you can enjoy a safer and more effective system for years to come. Our top priority is safety and we customize our services with our client’s best interest at heart. Enjoy clean dryer vents now! To schedule an appointment with an expert, call us at (510)521-4088, or use this simple contact form by clicking here.