Did you know that a clogged dryer vent can become a fire hazard? It’s true, but unfortunately most people are totally unaware of the dangers posed by the lint that becomes backed up in the dryer vent. Your dryer is an essential part of your daily life, so keeping it in good shape should be an absolute priority. You can purchase a dryer vent cleaning kit or hire a CDET Certified chimney sweep for the best and most reliable results.

Why should you clean your dryer vent?

Although you probably clean the lint trap in your dryer regularly, lint and other debris can also get trapped in the vent duct. When this happens the hot air is not able to escape from the dryer, this causes the exhaust gasses to back up, and that’s the perfect recipe for a fire.

Fires caused by a blocked dryer vent are more common than you may think. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that there are over 15,000 such fires in the US each year, and the truth is every one of those fires could have been prevented. That’s why it’s important to act now and get your dryer vent cleaned. If you notice any of the following, you should schedule a dryer vent cleaning as soon as possible:

  • The drying time for your clothes has suddenly become longer than normal
  • The dryer gets unusually hot before the end of the cycle
  • You smell a hot or burning smell at any time during the dryer cycle
  • The exterior vent is not being pushed out by the force of the air from the dryer
  • The exterior vent has visible lint at the exit
  • You feel no air from the exterior vent

How to clean your dryer vent

You will need to clean the vent attached to the dryer, as well as the outlet on the outside of the house. For the inside vent simply remove the vent from the dryer, and use a lint brush to pull out the excess lint. You should next locate the vent on the outside of the house, and clean it with the lint brush in a similar manner.

You can get your dryer vent professionally cleaned by the experts at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service. Give us a call at 610-626-2439 to schedule an appointment for dryer vent cleaning or a chimney inspection or cleaning. Both of our chimney sweeps are CSIA and CDET certified professionals.