One other thing that almost no one thinks of (or wants to think about) is dryer vents, but in all seriousness those things accumulated lint fires and they need regular maintenance for the safety and efficiency of your home. If your dryer vent is clogged, you may see some warning signs like higher energy bills or longer drying times which could eventually lead to a fire hazard. In temperate climates, this is easier said than done so homeowners in Houston should be keen to know just how important dryer vent cleaning and knowing when to call the pros over can save you time, money while at it put everyone under a safe roof.
Signs Your Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning: Houston Homeowner’s Guide
1. Clothes Take Longer to Dry
Sometimes it is obvious that your dryer vent needs cleaning when you find laundry items taking longer to dry than they normally would. A regular cycle that once required 40 minutes or so now takes an hour and a half, this could be a sign your dryer vent needs cleaning. Lint and debris build up in the laundry system, preventing air from flowing as well through it — which means your dryer works harder to dry your clothes.
2. The Dryer and Clothes Are Hot to the Touch
The dryer or the clothes inside it are extremely hot after a cycle – if your dryer, as well as the lint trap, seems far too warm at the end of a schedule this may imply that including blockage. A clogged vent will keep heat inside the dryer and can cause more stress to your clothing as well as increase over heating with a potential fire in some cases.
3. Burning Smell
One of the most serious warning signs is a burning smell while your dryer runs. Such odor tends to suggest that lint near the heating element of a dryer was possible being burnt according to Lorne has experienced over his many years repairing appliances. If you smell something burning, immediately discontinue use and get a professional to look at your dryer vents or clean them.
4. Excess Lint Behind the Dryer
So, if you discover that there has been a significant increase in lint piling behind your dryer or around the outside of the washer standpipe connection, this is a definite indication… Over time, these linty clumps could eventually block the vent and make your dryer less efficient — that is to say it makes you run an extra cycle or two for every load of laundry, because they’re not getting dry fast enough. And on top of all this: LINT PLUS DRYER HEAT EQUALS FIRE A LOT!
5. No Lint on the Lint Screen
It is a sign of trouble if you are not collecting small to no lint on the element screen while drying one load. This may be a fire waiting to happen as lint escaping through the screen collects toward round tin or flexible tubing leading from the inside vent to an outside wall.
6. It’s Been Over a Year Since the Last Cleaning
While there are plenty of reasons to keep up on dryer vent maintenance, some you may not be aware of. If you can’t remember the last time your vents were cleaned, that’s a sure sign it’s been too long. You should have the dryer cleaned once a year to prevent lint build-up and ensure your dryer is running safely and efficiently.
Insight: Clogged Dryer Vents — Hidden Dangers for Houston Residents
1. Fire Hazards
The most common threat posed by a dirty dryer vent is the risk of fire. Lint is flammable and if lint builds up in the dryer vent it will catch on fire should your clothes dryer exceed normal heat levels. Each year, there are an estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires called in to U.S. fire departments that cause deaths and injuries as well as millions of dollars in property loss according to the U.S. Fire Administration “fires in residential buildings” report from November 2018. If you have an electric dryer in your home, schedule annual vent cleaning with a professional service to keep it free of lint and reduce the risk of fire.
2. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The most dangerous risk of a clogged dryer vent in homes with gas dryers is the leakage of carbon monoxide. This dangerous and potentially harmful gas does have an odor whatsoever, so even two small amounts can be deadly if ingested in large volumes. A vent blocks the safe egress of carbon monoxide, and instead it sneaks into your living space. You can also install a carbon monoxide detector near the laundry room and make sure your dryer vent is periodically cleaned from lint build-up for added family protection against this silent killer.
3. Increased Energy Costs
With a clogged dryer vent system, your dryer must work harder to dry clothes properly and that uses more energy. This increased consumption of energy is, in turn, noticed on your utility bill. Cleaning your dryer vent regularly will help you have an efficient, working dryer and reduce the cost of your energy bill.
4. Cause: Premature Dryer Wear and Tear
A blocked dryer vent not only can give you potential hazards, but it also shortens the lifespan of your respective clothes kind dryers. Excess pressure needed to blow air through a vent obstruction adds wear and tear on the parts of the dryer. Regular cleaning prevents these problems and it makes the dryer last longer, as well as work more efficiently.
DIY vs. Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning: What’s Best for Houston Residents?
1. DIY Dryer Vent Cleaning
Some homeowners may think they can save money by trying to clean their dryer vents on their own, especially if they are pretty handy. There are also DIY dryer vent cleaning kits that you can buy that have flex rods for getting into the longer, twisty parts of your ducts where most lint buildup occurs. There are kits that can clean dryer vents where you most probably will have to remove the exit from inside but those just scrape a bit and aren’t as effective, especially if it is long or has multiple bends.
Though DIY is of course a more cost-effective solution, It’s important to know it has its limits. If you decide on buying a DIY product, be sure to frequently check for lint or obstructions that are still hiding inside.
2. Hiring The Professionals For Dryer Vent Cleaning
The most effective way in which you can clean your dryer vent is to hire a professional, particularly for residents of Houston who may not have the time or equipment to do this all by themselves. Special equipment like high-powered vacuums and brushes are used by professionals who take out all the lint as well as debris from your vent. They can also look at the vent for damage, verify it is placed correctly and even clean your exterior home vent cover.
Having a professional cleaning not only ensures the job is done in its entirety but also gives you peace of mind that your dryer vent should be free from threats. With the danger of all those risks on your shoulder, spending a few dollars to hire professional dryer vent cleaning services in Fontana CA will be justified.
How to Keep Birds Out of My Dryer Vent?
1. Install a Vent Cover
A vent coverL A cover over the dryer exhaust outlet to keep birds out. At the same time, these covers make air available for escaping but keep birds, rodents and other vermin out. Be sure to pick a good strong cover for this one that fits very well over the vent opening.
2. Regularly Inspect the Vent
Doing a thorough inspection of the dryer vent can also help alert you to signs that birds were around, like nesting materials or droppings. If you see any of these signs on the vent, it is imperative that you remove and clean up all nests before they cause further issues.
3. Use Bird Deterrents
Fortunately, there are many bird deterrents on the market that you can use to help scare birds away from your dryer duct. Simply applying reflective tape, bird spikes or even hanging decoy predators are all techniques that can help keep birds from nesting on your property. During nesting season, birds are especially likely to be in search of a new building spot and these deterrents can come in handy.
4. Trim Nearby Trees and Shrubs
If your dryer vent is near trees or shrubs, birds could find it a great place to nestgetStringExtra Cutting down any branches or leaves that fall within the vent danger vicinity can help to prevent birds from coming close.
5. Call to a Professional
If birds have nested in your dryer vent, then you should contact a professional to take care of removing the nest and cleaning out the vent. It can be very difficult and even hurtful to remove your own nests. They have the training and tools to safely clear out a nest for you, providing professional dryer vent cleaning service.
Conclusion
The dryer duct is a relatively simple part of the home, but keeping it clean can make your property safer while also helping to maintain energy efficiency and preserving the lifespan of your dryer. Knowing the warning signs of a dryer vent that needs cleaning, dangers in allowing your vents to remain clogged and hiring professionals for help offers Houston residents an opportunity to protect their home and family. Regular dryer vent cleaning is important to avoid future hazards even if you complete the task with all do-it-yourself skills, or hire someone for this job.
FAQs
1. How Often Should Dryer Vents Be Cleaned?
How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent? Yet, if you detect clogs sooner than that — longer dry times or lots of lint gathered around dryer vents and components after 12 months — have them cleaned.
2. Can I do my dryer vent cleaning myself?
Although you may clean out your dryer vent on your own with a DIY kit, it is often better to hire professionals especially if the length of your vent extends or has multiple bends.
3. Why does my dryer smell like something burning?
If you smell burning, stop using the dryer and contact a pro to inspect and clean the vent. That could mean there is a lint blockage dangerously close to the heating element of your dryer.
4. Birds nesting in the dryer vent-what can I do to prevent it?
In order to prevent birds from nesting in your dryer vent, you should install a vent cover, check on the state of the vent regularly and get bird deterrents.
5. What are the risks of not cleaning my dryer vent?
Not cleaning the dryer vent could become a fire hazard, carbon monoxide risks in your home and consume more energy while putting unnecessary wear on your dryers life span.
