Your chimney isn’t the only part of your house that needs to be regularly cleaned in order to avoid accidental fire! Having your dryer vents cleaned should be added to your list of annual household maintenance in order to make your home as safe – and energy efficient – as it can be.
The importance of clean dryer vents
Clean dryer vents are an important part of running a safe and efficient home. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that in United States alone there are more than 15,000 dryer fires; dryer fires also account for more than $200 million in damages as well as hundreds of injuries.
The same debris that accumulates in your lint trap can also accumulate over time in your dryer’s vents and hoses. This extremely flammable lint can begin to constrict the airflow to the dryer; when this happens, the dryer attempts to keep working well by increasing the air temperature. The combination of the super-heated air and constricted hoses can cause the lint to ignite into a fire, quickly spreading throughout your home.
Thankfully, dryer fires can be easily prevented by having dryer vents regularly cleaned. When having your dryer vents professionally cleaned, special brushes and equipment are used in order to completely clean and clear the entire system. Likewise, vents, lines, and hoses are checked or kinks or other blockages that can impact dryer safety or efficiency.
While clean vents are an important part of dryer safety, they have the added bonus of helping boost your dryer’s efficiency. Many homeowners who are frustrated with their dryer’s performance are amazed at what a difference simply cleaning the dryer vents can make! Compared to the cost of buying a brand new dryer, having the dryer vents professionally cleaned is a small investment that can help extend the life of your appliance.
When do I need to clean my dryer vents?
How often your dryer needs to have its vents cleaned may differ from house to house based on the age and type of your dryer as well as how often it is used. However, as a general rule most dryers need to have their vents cleaned at least once per year. The following are a few signs that it may be time for you to clean your dryer vents.
- A regular load of clothes take longer than one cycle to dry
- The dryer is hot to the touch or excessively heats the laundry room
- More and more lint is being produced each cycle
- The dryer – or clothes just out of the dryer – have a strong, musty odor
- Lint or debris can be seen around exterior dryer vents
While our name might be Jack Pixley Sweeps, we can do more than just clean your chimney; trust us to take care of your dryer vents, too! Contact us today to learn more about dryer vent cleaning and to schedule your next appointment.
Many homeowners include chimney and fireplace cleaning and inspection on their list of annual home maintenance projects. However, few think to consider having their dryer vents cleaned.
Despite the fact that they are used nearly every day, most homeowners do not know that they should regularly clean their dryer vents. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, clogged dryer vents cause nearly 15,000 house fires each year. These fires result in upwards of $200 million in damages and more than 400 injuries and 50 deaths. However, these tragic fires can be prevented by regularly cleaning dryer vents and hoses.
How do dryer vents cause house fires?
Most people know that lint is highly flammable – it’s why we clean the lint trap each time we use the dryer. Over time, lint also accumulates in the dryer vents and hoses. If left untreated, this lint can constrict air flow in the venting system. To compensate, the dryer will create more heat which can then cause the highly flammable lint to ignite. Once burning, dryer fires can quickly spread to other parts of the house.
Why should dryer vents be professionally cleaned?
Although homeowners may be able to remove some buildup from dryer vents and hoses, a trained professional is the only one who will be able to thoroughly clean the entire system. In additional to simply removing trapped lint, professional technicians will check vents, lines, and hoses for any kinks, knots, or other blockages, as well as evaluate the efficiency of your dryer.
Instead of rushing in and out of your home in 15 minutes or less, the trained technicians at Jack Pixley Sweeps will take the time to ensure that your entire dryer vent system is thoroughly cleaned and inspected. We utilize a variety of tools including a rotary system and vacuum cleaner to ensure that as much flammable material as possible is removed from the dryer line. In addition, we will also collect and dispose of the lint and debris from your dryer vents instead of blowing it all over your yard.
When should my dryer vents be cleaned?
Because many people are unfamiliar with their dryer vent systems, they do not know when they should be cleaned. Luckily, dryer performance is an excellent indicator of the condition of your dryer vents. The following signs may indicate that your dryer vents need to be cleaned:
- Clothes take longer than one cycle to dry
- The dryer produces excessive amounts of heat, even to the point of heating the room
- There are greater than normal amounts of lint produced each cycle
- Either the clothes or the dryer has a strong, musty odor
- There is noticeable or large amounts of lint or debris surrounding the exterior dryer vent opening
At Jack Pixley Sweeps, we can do more than just take care of your fireplace and chimney. Let the company you already know and trust to keep your chimney maintained take care of your dryer vents as well! Contact us today to schedule your dryer vent cleaning.
It’s very important to keep up with dryer vent cleaning, as the built up lint is a fire hazard that endangers your house and everyone in it. Call Jack Pixley Sweeps to schedule an inspection and cleaning of your dryer vents to help you maintain a safer and more efficient dryer.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please give us a call! We look forward to providing you with a lifetime of high-quality, professional services!
