How Do I Know if My Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning?

Knowing when and how to maintain appliances such as your dryer is an important part of home maintenance. Clothes dryers can become a fire hazard when not properly cleaned and maintained. Since there are several factors that determine whether a vent should be cleaned as often as every three months or as far apart as once a year, knowing the signs of an obstructed vent is helpful.

·      Clothes taking too long to dry. Reduced airflow is caused by a buildup of lint and caused your dryer to work longer and harder to dry each load of laundry.

·      If you notice lint accumulating in your laundry room, it’s an indication that it isn’t venting to the outside properly. Excessive lint in the lint trap is another good indication of poor ventilation.

·      Clogged vents restrict airflow which can cause your dryer to overheat. If your clothes are hot to the touch, rather than just pleasantly warm, when they come out of the dryer it’s likely time to get your vents cleaned out.

·      Excess moisture and condensation in your laundry area also points to inadequate ventilation. If you have noticed this in your home make sure that you wipe walls down with a good cleaner to get rid of any mold that might have been attracted to the dampness.

·      Take a look at the exterior vent hood as well. A well-ventilated dryer should have a steady flow of warm air coming from it while the dryer is running. Also look to be sure that the outside vent hood flap is open while your dryer is in use.

·      A burning or overheating smell is a serious warning sign that your dryer vents need attention. Lint is extremely flammable, and dryers are one of biggest fire hazards in homes. You should stop using your dryer right away if you smell anything that smells like smoke or charcoal. Contact a professional to address the issue at this point to be sure you avoid the risk of a fire.

Of course, it would be best to be proactive and keep your dryer vent clean and maintained before there’s any outward indication of a clogged vent. The problem is that there are a lot of factors that determine how often you would need to schedule maintenance. In general, dryers with longer vents will need to be cleaned out more often than shorter vents. The type of dryer, and how often you use your dryer are also factors.

We recommend working with a professional to evaluate how often your vent should be maintained, and what steps need to be taken each time. A Golden Home Management monthly subscription is a great way to address this along with the rest of your home’s maintenance needs. Your Home Coordinator can assess the current condition of your dryer vent during a regular monthly visit. Depending on what’s needed they can either take care of the maintenance right away, or put it on the calendar to get cleaned a few months down the road. Your Home Coordinator is the one relationship you need to make sure all the details of owning a home are taken care of. Contact us today to get started!