Why You Should Add Dryer Vent Cleaning to Your Annual Home Maintenance To-Do List
Clogged dryer vents are one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), dryers cause nearly 15,000 fires a year that get reported. Consistent dryer vent maintenance can help protect your home from a fire. Learn more about why dryer vents can become a fire hazard, what you can do about it, and how A R Engh Heating & Air Conditioning can help you keep your home safe.
Why Should You Clean Your Dryer Vents?
As clothes tumble in your dryer, they give off lint. Your machine's lint trap will capture most of these fibers so you can throw them away, but some lint will still get past the trap. These fibers can clog the dryer vent that allows the dryer to safely pump heated air exhaust out of your home. Over time, the airway will grow smaller, the fibers will get dryer and dryer, and friction will build up. The vent can overheat or have a spark, igniting the lint and turning it into fast-burning tinder. Your home's dryer vent may run to the side of your house or up to the roof through the attic, and the fire can quickly spread through this channel.
The best way to reduce this fire risk is to regularly remove the extra dryer lint before it can clog the vent or catch fire.
How Often Homeowners Should Have Their Dryer Vents Cleaned
As a general rule, homeowners should have their dryer vents cleaned at least once a year to clear away built-up lint. At the same time, these cleaning sessions can double as an opportunity to check for scorch marks and damage, ensure the vent cover is undamaged and clean in or around the dryer itself.
Pro Tip:
When dryer lint traps aren't regularly cleaned, excess lint can be pushed into the internal cavities of the machine. As part of your annual maintenance, consider opening the back of the machine around the vent port to clear lint away from the wiring and mechanical parts.
Benefits of Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning
Dryer vent cleaning is an essential part of keeping your home clean, safe, and ready for the seasons ahead. But it can also be an onerous chore, especially if you live alone or have a small laundry room that doesn't allow for easy maneuvering. Some of the key advantages of opting for professional dryer vent cleaning include:
Convenience: By hiring a professional service, you can have clean dryer vents without having to uninstall and move your dryer, clean out the vent, and inspect the vent port yourself.
Warranty or Guarantee: Professional services often offer a warranty on services provided so you can have peace of mind in the event of a problem.
Thoroughness: Dryer vents are long, narrow tubes that can be difficult to completely clean yourself. Professionals have the tools, experience, and expertise to handle the job.
Additional Services: At A R Engh Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer dryer vent cleaning as part of our air duct cleaning services. Check two maintenance tasks off your to-do list while improving your home's air quality and making it safer for the months to come.
Safety: Ultimately, cleaning your dryer vents is about safety. Empty vents allow exhaust to leave the dryer without overheating the equipment or sparking a fire. By having a professional clean your vents, you can rest assured that the hazard has been taken care of.
Schedule Your Air Duct and Dryer Vent Cleaning Appointment Today
Contact us today to schedule a convenient appointment for air duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning. We provide complete heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services to keep your home comfortable season after season.
