A Dryer Vent should be cleaned on a regular basis to improve the efficiency of the dryer. Dirty or clogged dryer vents and ductwork do more than just reduce the performance of your dryer. Heat, combined with accumulated dryer lint and dust, can create a fire hazard. Learn how to clean a dryer vent at least once a year to keep your home safe and your laundry day running smoothly. It is always suggested to contact a professional Duct Cleaning Company to perform proper and safe Dryer Vent Cleaning Service.
Indicators That It Is Time To Clean Your Dryer Vent:
- Your clothes are drying much slower than usual;
- Both your clothes and the dryer’s exterior become extremely hot.
- Debris in the vicinity of the dryer hose;
- The vent hood flap does not properly open;
- The dryer vent hasn’t been inspected in over a year;
- You smell a strange burning odor on your clothes;
- When the dryer is on, the laundry room becomes extremely hot.
How often should a lint trap vent and dryer vent be cleaned?
According to experts, the lint trap vent and dryer vent should be cleaned at least once a year. However, cleaning the dryer vent more frequently is advised if:
- Pets are present: If you keep pets in your home, the vents will become clogged more quickly than in pet-free homes. It is therefore critical to clean the dryer on a regular basis in order to remove pet hair and fur from the vent.
- Family size: A large family size necessitates more loads of laundry to be washed each day. The more frequently you use the dryer each day, the more lint it accumulates. As a result, it must be cleaned several times a year.
- Type of laundry: Bulky items like blankets and towels produce more lint that causes the dryer vent to clog quickly. Therefore, if your laundry mainly comprises of bulky clothing, then it is advised that you clean your dryer vent several times a year.
- How often you purchase new clothes: Research has shown that new clothes produce more lint than old clothes. So, if you like buying new clothes frequently, then you need to clean your dryer vents several times a year.
Steps for Dryer Vert Cleaning
1. Disconnect the Dryer:
- The first step on how to clean a dryer vent is to unplug the dryer. If you have a gas dryer, turn the supply valve off while cleaning.
- Pull the dryer away from the wall about a foot to begin cleaning your dryer vent.
- Disconnect the dryer duct from the back of the dryer. You may need to use a screwdriver to disconnect the vent clamp.
2. Vacuum Out the Vent:
- Remove lint from the hole at the back of the dryer.
- Cleaning lint from a dryer duct requires a vacuum. Use the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner or shop vac to clean in and around the hole at the back of the dryer.
- If you can detach the length of the duct where it meets the wall, do so. It will make cleaning it easier.
- Go outside the house and remove the exterior vent cover.
- Clean out the dryer vent from the outside using a vacuum.
3. Brush Out the Vent:
- If your dryer vent is too long to efficiently use a vacuum to remove the lint.
- Cleaning a dryer duct is feeding the brush into the duct and moving it back and forth while slightly rotating it.
- Extend the brush as needed and continue until the vents are free of dust and lint.
4. Reconnect the Dryer:
- When finished cleaning, inspect the ducts to make sure that they are undamaged and up to safety codes. Replace ducts if needed.
- Reattach ductwork and vent cover. If necessary, seal sections of ductwork with UL-listed metal foil duct tape.
- Push the dryer back into place and plug it in or turn the gas valve back on.
- To test the dryer, run it for 15 to 20 minutes on the fluff or air-dry setting to make sure all the connections are strong and to dislodge any remaining debris.
5. Take Steps to Avoid Lint Build-up:
Reducing the amount of dust and lint in and around your dryer may reduce how often you need to clean the dryer vent.
- Regularly sweep and dust the area around the dryer.
- Remove the lint trap filter and clean it out before every cycle. It’s quick, easy, and makes a big difference in your dryer’s performance.
- On a regular basis, remove the lint screen and vacuum in and around the lint filter housing with the hose attachment of the vacuum cleaner.
- Dryer sheets can leave residue on a lint screen that can build up over time. If the lint screen is clogged, use a scrub brush to wash it in warm, soapy water, rinse it with clean water and dry it off with a towel.
Lint must be removed on a regular basis to avoid lint buildup. Cleaning lint from a dryer also protects your home from house fires. Lint can catch fire due to buildup, but if a fire starts due to other factors, the lint will provide fuel, causing the fire to spread. Cleaning a dryer vent not only keeps your home safe, but it also keeps your dryer running smoothly.
Conclusion:
A clogged clothes dryer may not only be a fire hazard, but it may also increase your energy bills by requiring longer drying times for your laundry. Knowing how to clean a dryer vent can help you protect your home, save money, and improve the appearance of your clothes.
Get all the things you need to clean your dryer vent today.
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