Why You Should Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned Every Winter

Did you know that there are around 15,000 fires caused by clothes dryers every year? And according to the National Fire Protection Association, the failure to properly maintain dryer vents, especially in the fall and winter, leads to a high rate of home fires.

Dryer fires typically occur when lint and other debris accumulate in the vent, causing a blockage. When this happens, heat builds up inside the dryer, which can lead to a fire.

So, how do you prevent your dryer from becoming a fire hazard? The best way is to have it cleaned by a professional at least once a year.

And, if you live in an area where it gets cold in the winter, it’s essential to have your dryer vent cleaned before the first snowfall. That’s because when the weather is cold, people tend to spend more time indoors, which means they use their dryers more often.

If you’re not sure whether your dryer vent needs to be cleaned, there are a few warning signs to look out for, such as:

Clothes take longer to dry than usual: This is a sure sign that your vent is blocked. When air can’t flow freely through the vent, it takes longer for clothes to dry.

There’s excessive heat in the laundry room: If you notice that it’s unusually hot in your laundry room when your dryer is running, that’s another sign that there could be a blockage in the vent.

There’s lint on the floor: If you see lint on the floor around your dryer, chances are it’s coming from the vent. Lint buildup is one of the most common causes of dryer fires, so this is something to watch out for.

A musty smell: If you notice a musty smell coming from your dryer, it could indicate mold or mildew. This is usually caused by moisture trapped in the vent, so it’s essential to have it cleaned as soon as possible.

Don’t wait to have your dryer vent cleaned if you see any warning signs. The sooner you do this, the less likely you will have a fire in your home.

Additional Safety Tips

In addition to having your dryer vent cleaned regularly, there are a few other things you can do to prevent a fire:

Clean the lint trap after every load: This will reduce the amount of lint that accumulates in the vent.

Don’t overload your dryer: When you overload your dryer, clothes don’t have enough room to tumble, and air can’t circulate properly. This can lead to a fire.

Don’t use fabric softener sheets: These can cause a buildup of static electricity, which could ignite lint or other debris in the vent.

Keep flammable items away from your dryer: Don’t store anything flammable, such as gasoline, paint thinners, or cleaners, near your dryer. And, if you have a gas dryer, make sure nothing is blocking the vent so that gases can escape.

Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned by the Grand Rapids Duct Cleaners Professionals.

The best way to prevent a dryer fire is to have your vent cleaned by a professional at least once a year. Grand Rapids Duct Cleaners offers dryer vent cleaning services that will remove all the lint and debris from your vent, reducing the fire risk. We also offer other duct cleaning services to keep your home safe and healthy all year. Contact us today to schedule a service.