It's been more than a year since you last cleaned your dryer vent, and you're wondering if it's time to do it again. If you see lint or debris around or coming out of the outside vent, it's time to clean the dryer's ventilation system. In addition, if the hood flap of the outside ventilation opening does not open when the dryer is turned on, it means that the lint has blocked or restricted air flow to the system and you should clean it. Cleaning your dryer vent is important for a number of reasons.
Not only does it help clothes dry faster and more evenly, but it also prevents the risk of your dryer overheating and causing a fire. The hot, humid air produced when drying clothes leaves your home in Baltimore, Maryland, through the dryer's vent hose. But if the dryer vent is clogged with lint, that humid air remains in the dryer, making it difficult for clothes to dry. If drying takes longer, clothes get hot, smell burnt, or you haven't done it recently, you should clean the dryer vent.
You can clean it yourself with a cleaning kit for the dryer vents or hire a professional to clean the dryer vents for you. Knowing when the dryer vent is clogged or if Aire Serv professionals need to clean it can be difficult. Another great way to check the exhaust performance of the dryer vent is to use an anemometer. That's what happened to this family who lost everything because their house caught fire due to the buildup of lint in the dryer vent hose. If you have a large family or your dryer is in the center of the house and has a long duct or hose that faces the outside, you may need to clean the dryer's ventilation system more than once a year.
Have the dryer's hoses or vents cleaned and inspected every year to save energy, help the dryer run faster, and prevent dangerous fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Cleaning the ventilation grille from the inside removes all lint and dirt, but first you'll have to disconnect the dryer from the vent, which can be uncomfortable. For families with four or more members or households that use the dryer more than average people, it might be a good idea to clean the dryer vent twice a year. Dryer vents expel hot, humid air from the dryers so that they can introduce more dry air and continue to dry clothes effectively. Cleaning your dryer vent regularly is essential for keeping your home safe from fire hazards and ensuring that your clothes are dried quickly and efficiently.
