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How Often Should I Clean My Dryer Vent?

Posted by Josh Kennedy

Jun 15, 2015 11:27:00 AM

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A clogged dryer vent is a nuisance. When the vent is clogged, it can cost you anywhere from an extra $0.50 to and extra $3.00 per load to do your laundry! Even more importantly, a clogged dryer vent is a hazard. When lint builds up in your dryer hose and vent, the duct becomes clogged, the airflow is blocked, and the built up exhaust gasses create a combustible environment. The nuisance, risk, and overall inconvenience of a clogged dryer vent can all be mitigated by a visit from a professional dryer vent cleaning company.

 

Average Dryer Vent Cleaning Rate

On average, the dryer vent in an average single family home should be cleaned a minimum of once per year. However, dryer vent cleaning needs vary from household to household. For example, if you have large family, you will need to have your dryer vent cleaned more frequently. If you have children, chances are you have to buy new clothes as they grow, and new clothes produce more lint than older clothes. This would also be the case if you live by the beach and launder beach towels frequently, since towels produce more lint than clothes. On the other hand, if you are the only person living under your roof and you rarely purchase new clothing, your dryer vent may be able to go almost two years between cleanings. These are just estimates, however. The best thing you can do for your home is watch for the warning signals that your dryer vent needs to be cleaned, and schedule a cleaning appointment as soon as you notice on or more of the signs.

 

How Do I Know If My Dryer Vent Is Clogged?

Here are the signs of a clogged dryer vent:

  1. It takes a long time for your clothes to dry. - A clogged vent traps moist air inside the dryer, when it should be escaping. This means your clothes will still be damp after the dryer stops running, and you will likely have to run the dry cycle multiple times to get the clothes dry. This is inefficient, and therefore costly.

  2. The outside of the dryer gets hot. - After you dry a load of clothes, is the outside of the dryer hot to the touch? In this case, a clogged vent is preventing the dryer from exhausting properly. This wastes energy and also causes your machine to wear out faster than it would if the vent were clear. If your dryer gets too hot, you may even smell that something is burning. This is a red flag! If you notice a burning smell coming from your dryer, stop the drying process and make the call to your professional dryer vent cleaning service. You simply do not want to invite the risk of fire to your home and family.

  3. The vent hood flap doesn’t open. - If the duct hood flap cannot open, or if lint and debris is visible around the dryer hose or outside vent opening, that means the airflow is blocked.

  4. It’s been over a year since the vent was cleaned. - Stay on the safe side and schedule a dryer vent appointment if it has been a year or more since the last cleaning. Dryer vent cleaning is an inexpensive service that can truly be lifesaving. Instead of waiting for one of the warning signs to appear, be proactive, call the professionals, and rest assured that your dryer is not costing you any excess money or risk.


Find The Best Jacksonville FL Dryer Vent Cleaning Service

Whether your dryer vent is clogged, or you just want to play it safe and have it cleaned, make sure you find a cleaning company that will do a thorough job. The right dryer vent cleaning service will have the equipment to clean the vent exits, whether they are on the roof, on the siding, or even underneath the house. The best dryer vent cleaners also clean your vents twice, once from inside the house and once from outside, to ensure all lint and debris is cleared all the way out of the system.

The dryer vent team at First Coast Home Pros specializes in cleaning your dryer vent thoroughly and making your home a safe place. After our team has been to your home, your dryer will be more effective, your clothes will get dryer more quickly, and most importantly, you’ll be safe from the threat of fire. Our technicians are trained to be thorough, and we clean your vent from both inside and outside the house to make sure it is completely clear. After we have cleaned your system, we check it with a thermo-anemometer to make sure the dryer is producing the correct amount of air at the correct rate and at the correct velocity. Homeowners throughout Northeast Florida trust us to keep their dryer vents clear and their homes safe. Set an appointment for your own home with the dryer vent pros!

 

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Topics: Clogged Dryer Vent, Dryer Vent, Dryer Vent Cleaning

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