You probably don’t think about your dryer vent very often. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Your dryer vent collects the moisture and hot air accumulating in your dryer and fans it all out of your house. When it’s clogged or dirty, all that stuff stays inside. This could lead to damage to your dryer, excessive energy bills, or even a clothes dryer fire! Stay on top of the situation by watching for these warning signs that it’s time to have your dryer vent professionally cleaned.
Your Dryer Isn’t Working as Well as It Used To
Are your clothes still wet? Is it taking an extra cycle or two to get that last bit of dampness out? Well, clogging in your dryer vent can prevent air circulation, keeping that moist, hot air from escaping. Running your dryer more means added wear to the machine and higher energy bills. Besides, who wants their clothes stewing around in stale, old moisture? Yuck!
Your Lint Trap Is Filling Up Fast
You know that little tray you slide out and peel the lint off of? Unfortunately, cleaning it regularly does not mean you can avoid clearing out your dryer vent forever. Pay attention to it, though. Is it getting full quicker than it used to? That might be a sign of clogging. It could mean debris is not properly passing through your vent.
Your Dryer Is Giving Off Excessive Heat
Your dryer heating up on the inside is a good thing. Heating the room up, however, means something is wrong. If you feel noticeable warmth coming from outside your machine during a cycle, it’s running the risk of overheating. A dirty vent could be preventing heat from escaping, and your dryer could be permanently damaged if things get too hot.
Your Clothes Are a Little Too Hot
When you pull your clothes out of the dryer, are you alarmed at how hot they are? When heat cannot escape through the dryer vent, your nice shirts are getting roasted in there. Heat should be exhausting through your system, keeping your dryer at a safe and consistent temperature. You paid good money for those jeans; don’t cook them.
You Smell Something Burning
Remember that lint trap we talked about earlier? Well, that same lint can get trapped in your exhaust tube, and it is very flammable and can cause clothes dryer fires. If you smell anything burning, don’t wait around and see what happens. Turn off your dryer and have your machine and vents inspected as soon as you can.
You Haven’t Had Your Vent Cleaned in Some Time
Look, you perform routine maintenance with most of your expensive appliances. Why not your dryer? If it’s been a long time since you’ve had your dryer vent professionally cleaned, or if you simply never have, it might be time to reach out for professional assistance.
Monster Vac is a licensed NADCA member and has been one of Colorado’s top air duct cleaning companies for over 30 years. If you have any concerns about your dryer vent, we’re more than happy to make sure your system is operating cleanly and safely. Request a quote for a dryer vent cleaning today!