You may know that you’re supposed to clean your lint trap every time you use your dryer. You pull open the screen before loading in your clothes and see that it’s caked in lint from the previous load. But there is a deeper part of this equation that involves the dryer vent, one of the most important – and most frequently overlooked – parts of your home.
The dryer vents are the large pipes that carry the heat from your dryer to the outside of your home. They can be anywhere in the home. It just depends on where the dryer is, from the basement to the attic, and just like the trap on your dryer they can build up excess lint. Why does this matter, and who can you come to for dryer vent cleaning in Clark or Thurston County WA? Learn more below.
Should I Clean My Dryer Vent?
We suggest getting your dryer vent professionally cleaned on a regular basis. The exact frequency depends on use, but we generally recommend arranging for this level of service once a year. Does this seem like a lot? Well, we say so for good reason.
The U.S. Fire Administration reports that 31% of clothes dryer fires were due to failure to clean dryer vents. That’s a lot of injured people and damaged property that is all entirely preventable. And even if it doesn’t result in a fire, a blocked dryer vent can cause significant structural damage to your home. Making the effort to clear it annually will save money in many different aspects: money you would spend on repairs, replacements, or even just your monthly energy bills.
Overall, cleaning your dryer vent is one small expense when compared to twelve more months of convenient, safer, and more efficient operation.
Signs You Need Dryer Vent Cleaning
If you’re convinced by the last section you might be asking – “how do I know if I need dryer vent cleaning”? It’s actually fairly easy to tell. All you have to do is pay careful attention to how your dryer unit is operating.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Are your clothes taking multiple cycles to dry?
- Do they come out still damp and hot to the touch?
- If you touch your hand to the outdoor vent while the dryer is running, is the airflow strong or weak?
- As you dry your clothes, do you smell a distinct burning aroma?
Clearing your dryer vent might seem as easy as scraping the fluff off of your lint trap. Unfortunately, it’s a bit more complicated than that. There’s a level of expertise that goes into cleaning dryer vents, and if you don’t know what you’re doing you might damage your unit or hurt yourself. It’s much better to leave the work to the professionals at ABA HVAC and Home Solutions.
Dryer Vent Cleaning Service with ABA HVAC and Home Solutions
We believe in doing a thorough job that puts the needs of your home first. And at the same time we want you to feel absolutely empowered in the knowledge of how your home works. While we don’t suggest cleaning a dryer vent yourself, we are happy to answer any questions you might have about the process. At ABA HVAC and Home Services, we are here to improve how your home works, from the air you breathe to the clothes you wear. To learn more about how dryer vent cleaning can help make that happen, contact us today!