Caring for your home’s vital appliances can be difficult and confusing. Dryers, for example, need regular vent cleanings and care to ensure they’re functioning efficiently. Keep reading to learn more about the most common causes of clogged dryer vents in Berryville, VA.
Signs of a Clogged Vent
A clogged vent can fill your home with the smell of burning fabric. Your clothes may still be too wet even though the inside of your dryer feels abnormally hot. You will also see more lint, dust, and debris covering the duct’s hood.
Neglecting to clean the dryer vent allows unsafe amounts of particulates to accumulate in the dryer duct and hose. These components are vital to vent the hot air and gases outdoors. Continuous dryer use with a clogged vent also dramatically increases the risk of a house fire.
Cause #1: A Dirty Lint Trap
One of the most common causes behind clogged vents is a dirty lint trap. While drying, the lint trap separates any lingering hair, lint, and dust from your clothes. It also stops this debris from traveling into the exhaust duct that leads outside.
When the lint trap fills up with dirt, it experiences a drop in efficiency. It’s vital to clean out your lint trap after every drying cycle to limit the chances of a fire and keep the exhaust system clean and clear.
Cause #2: Your Lint Trap is Blocked by Objects
Unfortunately, in addition to catching small debris, your lint trap also has a habit of capturing other objects. Things like coins, buttons, clips, and other hard objects you may have had in your pockets could end up blocking it completely. As more hard objects accumulate, the trap will struggle to efficiently stop lint from traveling into the exhaust duct.
The exhaust duct pipe leads to an external vent covered with a protective flap. Known as the vent flap or cover, it helps to keep animals and objects from traveling into your dryer from the outdoors. These components can easily become stuck, obstructed, or damaged by outside forces.
Too much lint and debris may trap and hold the vent door closed. Too much fabric softener can even coat the exhaust pipe and vent in a sticky goo. There may also be an external issue with mud, bee’s nests, spider webs, or plants that grew too close to your home.
Cause #3: Pests
Finally, neighborhood insects and pests can also contribute to dryer vent issues. The exhaust pipe makes the perfect home for small animals looking for a warm place to rest out of the cold.
Tips for Routine Care
Fortunately, there are many ways you can prevent your dryer vent from clogging up. You should always thoroughly clean the lint trap after each drying cycle. This includes if you plan to dry the same load more than once.
Always double-check your pockets for coins or objects before washing them. If you
hear something odd banging around in your dryer during a cycle, stop the load and check for any loose debris.
Routinely examine the exterior vent flap for any nearby obstructions or signs of pests. Wipe down the outside flap to remove any sticky dust or lint. Never spray a hose or any pesticides directly at or near the vent.
Don’t forget to have your dryer vent professionally cleaned at least once a year. This process includes a technician carefully disconnecting the pipe from your dryer and cleaning out any dirt, dust, and physical objects. They will then use a special HEPA vacuum to thoroughly clean the vent.
Your dryer vent can quickly fill up with dirt and dust if you don’t regularly clean out your lint trap. Too much debris in the dryer’s exhaust duct will affect the lifespan of your dryer and put your home at risk of a fire. Call Griffith Energy Services for the area’s most comprehensive dryer vent cleaning services.
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