The dryer is one of the most-used appliances in the home. Nearly every household in America has a dryer in the laundry room; the exceptions being apartments or other rental units that do not include laundry facilities. Nearly 15,500 dryer fires are caused by the dryer each year because homeowners don’t really think about the dryer hose or vent, as they are out of sight, out of mind. Here are a few common problems you may experience with your dryer that are directly linked to the dryer hose and vent.
Extended Drying Time
The average dryer should take approximately 45 minutes to dry a load of laundry. They are designed to pull air from the laundry room, heat it, and push heated damp air out through the hose. This cycle effectively removes moisture from your laundry and provides that nearly-wrinkle-free look we all know and love. Your dryer hose or vent may be blocked if the dryer takes more than one cycle to dry your clothes.
Hot Dryer or Clothes
The clothing inside the dryer should be very warm, but not hot enough to burn you. The exterior of the dryer should always be cool enough to touch comfortably. If your clothing or the outside of the dryer are too hot, you could have a problem within the dryer hose or vent. This not only wastes energy, it poses a fire risk.
Burning Odor
You should never smell an odor like something is burning while your dryer is running. The lint that collects in the lint screen and within the dryer hose is highly combustible. Any small spark can create a fire that leads to a very dangerous house fire. Any time you think you smell a burning odor while using your dryer, stop it immediately and call us for assistance.
The Vent Doesn’t Open and Close Properly
The dryer vents to the exterior of your home. You should be able to easily see the vent and determine whether or not it is opening properly. It should open to allow the flow of air when the dryer is on, and close to prevent intrusion by small creatures. The dryer will not work properly if the vent does not open and close as needed. A buildup of lint within the dryer hose will prevent the air flow from being able to push the vent open as intended.
Dryer Vent and Hose Inspection and Cleaning
The clothes dryer is one of the most-used appliances in the house. We use it to dry clothing, bedding, and other items, or to quickly remove wrinkles from clothing we need to wear in a rush. Give us a call at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service if you’re in need of a C-DET technician for your dryer. We’re a locally owned and operated business in Drexel Hill, PA, and we provide chimney and dryer vent services throughout the surrounding area. Call us at 610-626-2439 to schedule an appointment with one of our C-DET certified technicians.