You may not realize exactly how dangerous a dirty and clogged dryer vent can be. According to the US Fire Administration, 2,900 clothes dryer fires were reported each year between 2008 and 2010. These fires resulted in five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property losses. The main reason behind these fires is failure to clean the dryer vent. Winston’s Chimney Service is proud to offer professional dryer vent cleaning services, and we promise to remove every bit of lint and debris from your dryer vent to reduce your risk of a clothes dryer fire. Many national fire safety organizations recommend that you have your dryer vent professionally cleaned every year, but there are some warning signs that tell you to have your dryer vent cleaned as soon as possible. We would like to tell you about these warning signs to help you prevent a clothes dryer fire.
Your clothes are still damp after a complete drying cycle.
If you have to run your dryer for more than one cycle to fully dry one load of clothes, your dryer vent is most likely dirty and clogged. Your dryer is supposed to push out hot, moist air, but if the dryer vent is clogged, this air will stay in your dryer, which makes it difficult for the clothes to dry completely. A professional dryer vent cleaning allows your dryer to work more efficiently.
The outside of your clothes dryer is hot to the touch.
A clogged dryer vent causes your clothes dryer to overheat because it cannot exhaust properly. When your dryer overheats, it can lead to important components to wear out much more quickly than they should. One of these components is the heating element, which can be expensive to repair or replace. Having your dryer vent cleaned will prolong the life of your clothes dryer.
You smell something burning.
Lint is so highly flammable that the Boy Scouts of America recommend using it to start campfires. Even though your lint trap does collect a lot of the lint, it can still build up in the vent, exhaust tube, and the drum casing of your dryer. When your dryer overheats, it can get hot enough to ignite the accumulations of lint and start a fire. If you ever notice a burning odor when your dryer is in use, you should immediately turn the appliance off and contact Winston’s Chimney Service to schedule a dryer vent cleaning.
The vent hood flap on the outside of your home does not open properly.
If your vent hood flap on the outside does not completely open, air flow has been restricted by clogs of lint and debris in the vent. You may also notice a buildup of lint around the vent hood flap. This is an obvious warning sign of a clogged dryer vent.
Keep your dryer from becoming a fire hazard. Contact us at Winston’s Chimney Service to schedule an appointment for our professional dryer vent cleaning services today, especially if you have noticed any of the above warning signs.