Want to know how you could lower your energy bills, improve your home’s safety, and reduce laundry frustration in your life? Chances are, your dryer vent hasn’t been cleaned in far too long, and once you’ve had it done, you won’t believe how much better things are. How can you tell if your dryer vent needs cleaning? Here’s what to look for, and what to do about it.
How Dryer Vents Get Clogged
Your dryer has a lint trap. We very much hope you’ve been cleaning it every time you dry a load of laundry! This catches the majority of the lint given off by your clothing, towels, and bedding. However, it can’t catch every bit. Some of it is too fine, and passes through the mesh of the trap. Some of it might work its way around the edges. Gradually, lint builds up beyond the trap, in the vent itself.
Signs of a Clogged Dryer Vent
When your dryer is running, the vent allows the moisture to escape, along with some of the heat. A clogged vent will keep far too much of everything inside. What does that lead to?
- Wet Clothes: Having to put the load in for “a little extra time” when it should be dry means that moisture isn’t venting properly. And if you don’t catch it in time? You’ll end up with clothes you thought were dry smelling like mildew, because they were actually quite damp.
- High Bills: Running the dryer more than you should have to will run up your energy bills.
- Overheating: Your dryer should warm up on the inside only. When you touch your hand to the exterior of the appliance, even when it’s been running a full cycle, it should be cool. A hot dryer means that neither the heat nor the moisture is being adequately vented.
Risks of a Clogged Dryer Vent
The damp clothes, which may or may not smell like mildew, and the high energy bills that keep going up even as your clothes keep being damp are enough of a problem. But there are worse things than moldy clothes and outrageous utility costs that you’re risking if you keep running a dryer with a clogged vent!
The serious risk here is house fire. When a dryer’s vent becomes full of lint and the appliance is overheating, it’s far too easy for a fire to start. Did you know that lint is even recommended to backpackers and campers as ideal tinder to get a fire going? You might be able to tolerate smelling like you’ve been in storage for years or paying excessive bills. You can’t tolerate the chance of your house burning down.
Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning
Please, please don’t disconnect your dryer and start poking around inside with whatever’s handy! You could damage the vent, leading to worse problems, or even electrocute yourself or cause a gas or carbon monoxide leak by fiddling with the dryer. A professional has the right tools, training, and experience to get the job done safely and thoroughly. And right now, we’re offering $20 off dryer vent cleaning in Nashville, TN!
Covenant Heating and Cooling is your trusted resource for reliable dryer vent cleaning in Nashville, TN. We are “Dedicated to the Promise of Serving You!” Contact us today.