dryer vent cleaning

Problems caused by a clogged dryer vent
 

• Fires. The lint from your clothes can build up inside the dryer vent. This material is highly flammable and can cause a fire.
• Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. When the dryer vent is  clogged, dangerous CO gases aren’t able to escape. Instead, they build  up inside the vent and may seep out into the laundry room and into other  areas of the home.
• Wear and tear on the dryer. When it takes two or three  cycles to get your clothes dried, this puts a lot of strain on your  dryer. It can lead to excessive wear and tear on the unit.
• Skyrocketing utility bills. A dryer that is running  more often than it should to dry clothes will use a lot of energy. This  will be reflected on your monthly utility bills.

• 2,900  home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5  deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.
• Failure to clean the dryer (34 percent) is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires.
• More home clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months, peaking in January.

Warning signs that it’s time to clean your vent

• Clothes are taking much longer than normal to dry. It will often take two or three cycles to dry them.
• Clothes have a strange, burning smell to them. This could be a sign  that your dryer vent isn’t properly able to ventilate the warm air out  of the appliance.
• The laundry room feels excessively hot when the dryer is running.  Again, this could be a result of a clogged vent that isn’t letting hot  air escape.