Many homeowners make one mistake. They assume that all they need to do to maintain their clothes dryer is to clean the lint trap frequently. Even if you empty the lint trap after every single cycle, it may not be enough. As long as there is air coming through the vent, it is also carrying microscopic pieces of lint that affects the dryer vent. Consequently, when that lint builds up in the ventilation system it can put your family at risk!
Signs of a Dirty Dryer Vent
- Is your dryer is unusually hot or heating up the room where it’s installed? If so, it isn’t venting properly. The dryer vent should carry that excess heat out of the house and release it outside.
- If your dryer releases moisture into your home, making it more humid and causing steam on the walls and windows near the appliance, it isn’t venting properly. The water vapors should be carried through the dryer vent to outdoors.
- Does it takes more than once cycle to dry a moderately sized load of laundry? The dryer vent is clogged. The average dryer should last ten years, according to manufacturers. So, there’s no reason for a dryer to become worn out when it’s less than three years old.
- If your dryer vent flap doesn’t open to let the air escape, there is most likely a clog in the vent.
When to Call a Professional
The best way to use and care for your clothes dryer is to start by calling a professional. When you have the appliance professionally installed, you insure it’s installed correctly. A professional will abide by manufacturers’ specifications and local codes. Most homeowners don’t know that the dryer vent should be no more than 4 inches in diameter, no more than 25 feet long, and each 90 degree angle adds 5 feet to the total length.
Other regulations and recommendations for dryer vents:
- Dryer vents should be independent of other systems.
- They should terminate OUTSIDE the home, not in crawlspaces, attics, or basements.
- The outdoors termination hood should be equipped with a back-draft damper.
- Metal transition ducts should be used between the dryer and exhaust duct.
- Flexible dryer vent ducts should never be used in an attic, a crawl space, or inside a wall.
When a dryer vent isn’t installed correctly it is an invitation for clogs. A too-long vent or a hose with too many turns can mean more spaces for lint to build up, clogging the vent completely. This allows hot air to ignite the flammable materials inside!
The Only Nationally Recognized Credential for Dryer Vent Safety
Dryer vents have become so much of a fire hazard that the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) created the CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician, the only credential of its kind. At Pristine Sweeps our technicians are trained and experienced dryer exhaust technicians. Our first priority is the safety and comfort of our customers.