Preventative Maintenance - Dryer Vent Cleaning & Why It's Important

In 2019, when we were operating as McCray's Handyman, ABC10 contacted us after a local house fire that was linked to an unmaintained dryer vent. They asked us to help educate homeowners about dryer vent safety and maintenance. Since then, we've cleaned hundreds of dryer vents throughout the Sacramento area and continue to find many homeowners who simply didn't know dryer vents should be inspected and cleaned regularly.

 6 Reasons to have your dryer vent cleaned

·       Can be a fire hazard According to the U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association, failure to clean dryers remains one of the leading causes of clothes dryer fires. Lint is highly combustible, and restricted airflow can cause excessive heat buildup inside the vent system.

·       Cause property damage We've encountered dryer vents that were so restricted that moisture could no longer properly escape the home. In some cases, this trapped moisture contributed to damage inside walls and surrounding building materials.

·       Cost you more on your energy bill (since dryers with excess lint can use up to 30% more energy)

·       Decrease the lifespan of your dryer (since you’ll need to run it more often in order to fully dry your clothes)

·       Invite animals to nest in your vents (since your duct hood flap may not close properly, thus providing an entrance to pests seeking warmth during the winter

·       Reduce Excess Moisture and Indoor Air Issues One of the issues with a dirty dryer vent is that it traps water from wet clothing. Once this water is trapped, it attracts all sorts of allergens from mold to dust and much, much more. Unfortunately, over time, these allergens can spread to the rest of your home. Should you breathe them in, you could very well develop a cough, a rash, congestion, or another similar symptom. You don't want to live your life in an allergy den. Have your dryer vent cleaned entirely and you'll be able to breathe easy.

Warning Signs Your Dryer Vent Needs to Be Cleaned

So, how do you know if your dryer needs cleaning? Take a look at these warning signs to see if your dryer is showing symptoms of dirty vents:

·       Your clothes aren’t getting dry. If you have to run multiple cycles just to get your clothes completely dry, you probably have a buildup of lint preventing the air from circulating.

·  Your drying times have increased. If a load that once dried in one cycle now requires two or more cycles, restricted airflow may be preventing moisture from leaving the dryer efficiently.

·       Your dryer is hot to the touch. If your dryer or clothes are extremely hot during or at the end of a cycle, a blocked vent could be the cause.

·       Your laundry room feels hot or humid. If your dryer vent can’t push the air outside your home, it’s got to go somewhere (a.k.a. leak out into your laundry room).

·       You notice a musty smell. If the hot, damp air from your dryer is being leaked inside your home, that will also cause a musty smell (or even a burning smell, if the lint has started a spark in your dryer — in which case you should stop using your dryer immediately and call the pros to take a look).

·       Your vent hood flap doesn’t open properly. If your duct hood flap isn’t opening like it should, or if you see lint or debris around the dryer hose or outside vent opening, the air flow has been restricted, causing dangerous buildup.

How Often Should You Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned Professionally?

Most manufacturers and fire safety organizations recommend inspecting and cleaning dryer vents annually. Households with pets, large families, or frequent laundry use may benefit from more frequent inspections. The exact cleaning schedule depends on the length of the vent, how often the dryer is used, and the amount of lint being produced.

Can You Clean Your Dryer Vent Yourself?

In some homes, yes. Short, accessible dryer vents may be cleaned by homeowners using commercially available brushes and vacuum attachments. However, many modern homes have longer vent runs through attics, ceilings, walls, or roofs that can be difficult to inspect and clean thoroughly without specialized equipment.

Visually inspect the outside vent opening and remove any obstructions — usually these are prime locations for animal nests. Vents at the ground level are perfect for rodent nests (we're talking chipmunks, squirrels and rats). Upper-level vents are more attractive to birds.

Next, tackle the lint. There are several options for removing lint buildup:

·       A flexible brush with extendable wand will grab the lint for easy removal.

·       An air compressor will blow it out.

·       A combination vacuum cleaner and brush will suck it out. (Just make sure the vacuum hose is long enough.)

Whichever method you use, it’s important to remove lint throughout the entire length of the vent. Some dryer vents can extend upwards to about 20-25 feet up to vent out of the roof. After removing the lint from the vent, also check the area behind the dryer— the floor, under the dryer and the back of the cabinet specifically. This is because the air being pulled into the dryer comes from behind the dryer. If there’s lint around there, it will be drawn into the dryer, causing further buildup in the vent.

Yikes! Does all this sound too complicated? You may consider hiring a pro to do it.

Dryer vent cleaning costs vary depending on vent length, accessibility, roof access requirements, and overall condition. Contact McCray & Sons Home Services for an evaluation and pricing specific to your home.

McCray & Sons Home Services provides dryer vent cleaning, plumbing, handyman, and home repair services throughout West Sacramento, Sacramento, Natomas, Arden Arcade, and surrounding communities. If you're unsure when your dryer vent was last cleaned, we're happy to help evaluate your system and discuss whether maintenance is recommended.