Seven Signs You Need a Dryer Vent Cleaning
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends getting your vents cleaned at least once a year (or more often when needed) for proper maintenance and safety purposes. With this in mind, there are times where you may experience symptoms of clogged dryer vents. If you are currently experiencing any of the signs below, chances are you require a professional dryer cleaning.
1. Longer Drying Times
It's a common misconception that clothes taking multiple cycles or long times to dry means you need a new dryer. In reality, the lint in your vents may be the real problem. If your dryer takes longer than one cycle to dry your clothes, you may require a dryer vent cleaning professional.
Lint buildup in your dryer's system can make your machine work harder and dry less efficiently. With a clean dryer duct, dryers generally work better and dry clothes faster than before. Therefore, if your machine takes several cycles to dry, scheduling a professional dryer vent cleaning may be the answer.
2. Clothes Smell Musty
As with longer drying times, musty-smelling clothing after a drying cycle is another sign it's time to clean your vents. Dryers may not remove all moisture from clothes if they are not operating at their maximum efficiency. Your clothes may seem dry when you first take them out, but after a short time, your closet starts to smell funky.
If this occurs every time you put your laundry away, it might be time to have your dryer vent checked out. That extra moisture could be harming your clothes and - in some cases - even you. Think about it this way, your clothing might only be smelling a little musty now, but that unpleasant odor could also be a sign that mold is developing.
Professional dryer vent cleaning can prevent future problems and keep your air quality, home, and favorite shirt in optimal condition.
3. Overheating/Burning Smells
Although no one likes musty-smelling clothing, some odors are more worrisome than others. If you’re thinking “why does my dryer smell?” after every cycle, there may be a bigger problem. Noticing a burning smell when running the dryer, is an immediate cause for concern. Lint building up in the system can reach levels too high for your dryer to function properly. If that lint reaches the dryer heat supply, it can heat up, start burning, and quickly catch on fire.
If your dryer is giving off burning scents, turn it off right away and do not use it until you get a professional vent inspection and cleaning. Continuing to run your dryer could result in serious issues, including a potential house fire. If the clothes you had in the cycle are still wet, hang them outside or in a well-ventilated space until you can get your dryer looked at by a trusted service.
4. Excessive Lint
Excessive lint after using the dryer is another sign that you need a dryer vent cleaning. The clean dryer duct design lets hot air escape from your machine and into the outdoors. When the vent gets clogged with lint, the dryer does not work properly. Therefore, you should be concerned about unusual amounts of lint spilling into the clothing chamber of your dryer - it could cause dangerous problems down the line.
There are clothing materials that lint tends to stick to easily, such as corduroy and velvet-like fabric. However, if you empty the lint trap and every piece of your clothing still leaves the dryer with white fuzz, you should check your vents. Though lint might seem harmless, being safe is better than being sorry when it comes to your home.
5. Laundry Room Hotter Than Normal
A dryer vent cleaning may be necessary if your laundry room feels hotter than the rest of your house after running the dryer. Hot room temperature is a sign that the dryer vent can not exhaust heated air outside. If your vent is blocked, the air is pushed back out into your laundry room, raising the temperature and making the room feel humid.
Having a hot laundry room not only makes doing laundry feel harder, but it is also a sign that there is a dangerous problem. In this situation, we recommend forgoing dryer usage until you can schedule an appointment with a local service. Having a trained professional inspect and clean your dryer vent can solve the problem entirely.
6. Blocked Vent Hood
If you suspect that your dryer vent may be blocked, one option you have is to take a look at the dryer vent hood. This hood sits outside your home and serves to release the dryer’s hot air. In some cases, the dryer vent hood will display signs of a build-up in your dryer vent.
To check, go outside and locate where the dryer vent hood sits on the side of your home. Take a close look at the hood and identify if there is lint around its opening. If you see lint or other dryer debris, you should have your dryer vent inspected and cleaned by a professional.
If your vent hood does not show signs of lint, you may still need a dryer vent cleaning. Sometimes your vent might be clogged without the lint fully reaching the vent hood. In this case, lint and debris will not be visible. If you notice other signs, such as those listed above, you should still schedule a vent cleaning.
7. It’s Been Over a Year Since Last Cleaning
A professional dryer vent cleaning is a good idea when you cannot recall the last time you received a cleaning, you've lived in a property for over a year without having the vent cleaned, or your landlord doesn't have a recent cleaning history. As previously mentioned, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends a professional dryer vent cleaning at least once a year (and more often if necessary).
Following safety guidelines and recommendations is an effective way to prevent future dryer damage and at-home fires. Maintaining your dryer vent and scheduling cleanings when needed ensures that your machine will last longer and meet home safety standards.
