Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning Services: Are They Really Necessary?
If you’re a homeowner, then you’ve probably been told that your dryer vents should be regularly cleaned out by a professional. But how important is this, really? Does it have to be done every single year? Or is it just needed when your dryer starts functioning less efficiently? Can clogged dryer vents actually trigger a fire?
Most homeowners just ignore their dryer vents, not able to imagine that a clothes dryer might cause any damage to their home. But the surprising truth is that this vent- cleaning service is an essential one for keeping your household safer.
In fact, your dryer vent is actually more likely to get clogged and cause a fire than your fireplace or chimney. In addition, lint buildup decreases airflow, which can shorten the life of your dryer, extend the drying times for your clothes, and could cause harmful gas to leak into your home.
The good news for homeowners in Greene County, MO, Benton County, AR, and countless surrounding areas is that Ozark Stove & Chimney is here to professionally clean out your dryer vents, so you don’t face heightened risks. Contact us today to learn more.
Fires & Dryer Vents: What’s the Connection?
So, yes – keeping the dryer vent cleaned and clear of lint can prevent dryer fires. But how does this work?
Well, a dryer vent that’s fully or partially clogged with lint reduces the amount of airflow that can escape through to the other end – and then safely outside. This then causes the appliance to overheat, which can eventually lead to lint igniting and creating a dryer fire.
Remember – lint is a boy scout’s favorite material for starting fires. Why? Because it is highly flammable. Long story short, dryer vent cleanings play a significant role in preventing dryer fires, protecting your home, and saving lives.
So, how common are dryer fires?
So, you get it – there’s definitely a correlation between clogged up dryer vents and dryer fires. But how common is it, really?
Statistics from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) indicate that, in just one year, there were 15,500+ residential dryer fires in the United States alone, all originating in clothes dryer exhaust vents. These dryer fires resulted in personal injuries, deaths, and over $84.4 million in property damage. The CPSC also reports that hundreds of people were non-fatally poisoned by carbon monoxide as a result of gas clothes dryers.
Convinced, yet? Then, get your yearly cleaning booked with us. Ozark Stove & Chimney is here to get the job done right.
Call us today or contact us online.
Why Else Is Dryer Vent Cleaning Important?
So, it’s clear that fires are a big risk when your dryer vents are clogged up. But are there any more issues that could be triggered? The unfortunate answer is yes.
Reduced Air Quality
As it turns out, dryer vent cleaning is an important task to ensure that your home’s air quality remains safer and healthier as well. Nowadays, with more work-from-home options than ever, keeping the air in your space pure and clean is a must. If your vents are clogged up, you’re more likely to get lint and all the other debris coming out of your clothes circulating into your home’s air – which can then increase the risk of illness and trigger respiratory issues.
Higher Energy Bills
Additionally, your energy bills may rise if your appliances are unable to circulate air efficiently. There are a couple of reasons this happens. First of all, like we said, air quality will suffer, which then means your HVAC system will be working harder. Then, there’s the dryer itself. Because clogged vents reduce efficiency, you’ll be needing to run multiple cycles to get your clothes dry – which ups your energy bills in the process.
Visible Home Damage
Furthermore, failure to keep the vent clean of dust may also cause visible damage to the outside walls and siding near the vent exit. Improper ventilation leads to condensation, which then causes lingering moisture throughout your household. More moisture means a higher risk of mold and mildew growth, and it could cause your woodwork to rot out too.
Shortened Dryer Lifespan
Finally, dryer vent cleanings ensure your dryer isn’t putting in overtime trying to get your laundry fully dry. The more it has to run, the quicker it’s likely to die out, which means a replacement will be in order much sooner than expected. In addition, your clothes will experience more wear, too, shortening their overall lifespan.
Long story short, taking preventive measures such as regular dryer vent cleaning is essential for keeping your home safer and your appliance running more efficiently for years to come.
Why Do Chimney Companies (Like Ozark Stove & Chimney) Offer Dryer Vent Cleaning?
Well, because both chimneys and dryer vents serve similar purposes in terms of ventilation and safety for your home. Both expel byproducts, such as smoke, heat, and moisture, to the outside of the building, and both need to be regularly cleared to avoid bigger hazards later on.
Here are a few reasons why a chimney company may discuss dryer vent cleaning with you:
- Expertise in Ventilation Systems: Chimney companies, like Ozark Stove & Chimney, specialize in ventilation systems, but this isn’t limited to chimneys and fireplaces. It can also include other venting systems, such as dryer vents and tankless water heaters. We have the knowledge and experience to inspect, clean, and maintain the dryer vents in your home, ensuring proper airflow and a reduced risk of fire hazards – which is our highest calling.
- Fire Prevention: As stated above, fire prevention is the most important thing we do. We are well aware that chimneys and dryer vents can become fire hazards if not properly maintained. A clogged or damaged dryer vent can lead to a buildup of lint, which is highly flammable – and is ultimately the reason why there are more dryer fires annually than chimney fires. Ozark Stove & Chimney offers dryer vent cleaning to help prevent fires in your home.
- Indoor Air Quality: Just as a clean chimney is essential for maintaining good indoor air quality, so is a clean dryer vent. A clogged or damaged dryer vent can lead to poor indoor air quality, resulting in health issues for you and your family, especially for those already prone to respiratory problems, like asthma or allergies. Ozark Stove & Chimney encourages dryer vent cleanings to not only emphasize fire safety, but also for the importance of maintaining good indoor air quality.
- Carbon Monoxide Prevention: Clogged venting systems have led to carbon monoxide leaks and poisoning throughout countless homes and businesses throughout the country. This results in health risks, hospital visits, and can even be fatal if not promptly addressed. Proper airflow is vital, no matter which appliance you’re running – be it your dryer, fireplace, water heater, or something else.
- Comprehensive Services: Ozark Stove & Chimney expanded its services to include dryer vent cleaning to provide a more comprehensive list of services to our clients. By offering dryer vent cleaning while we are already at the home, we can save you money, stress, and time knowing this important chore is done. We have found our clients love that we take care of their annual maintenance on their chimney and fireplace systems, as well as the dryer vent cleaning.
So, while it might seem weird when we discuss dryer vent cleaning, it’s because of the similarities between the two systems and our expertise in maintaining proper ventilation around those systems. And who wants to call around to multiple companies, when you can find one reliable team to handle it all?
How Long Does It Take a Professional to Clean a Dryer Vent?
So, it’s clear that cleaning your dryer vent is an important part of maintaining safety levels in your home – and having it done by a certified professional can help ensure the job is done efficiently and thoroughly.
But how long will this job normally take?
Generally speaking, the answer to how long it takes to clean a dryer vent in your home depends on several factors such as the length of the vent, the number of turns or bends they have, and how difficult they are to access. For instance, a straight and short vent that’s cleaned annually will be much quicker to address than a long one with lots of bends that hasn’t been cleaned for a few years.
On average, our dryer vent cleaning services can take anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours. During this time, we use specialized vacuums and brushes, designed specifically for dryer vents, to clear out lint buildup that may otherwise create a fire hazard.
It is recommended that you get your dryer vents cleaned at least once per year to prevent hazardous fires in your home. However, if you run your dryer more than the average family of four, you will want to get your dryer vent cleaned twice per year.
How Do Professionals Clean Dryer Vents?
Here at Ozark Stove & Chimney, we use specialized tools, methods, and devices to ensure the thorough cleaning of your dryer vent. This includes:
- navigating a long-handled flexible brush into the ventilation duct, spinning it to clean the walls
- manually scrubbing any debris that may be stuck behind bends or along the walls of the duct
- utilizing high-powered vacuums to suck up dirt, lint, and other debris that gets dislodged
- inspecting for kinks and other vent blockages
- checking joint connections for crimps or separations
- inspecting the flaps of the outside closing mechanism
If one of our professionals identifies structural problems with your dryer vent, we will provide a comprehensive report outlining everything and recommending any necessary repairs. Regularly servicing dryer vents is essential as it prevents hazards, such as fires or gas leaks, from occurring.
Can I attempt a dryer vent cleaning myself?
If the dryer vent run is short, then cleaning your dryer vent yourself can be an economical and rewarding task… but it should only be done by those familiar with the process. It’s important to do it safely and effectively to minimize the risk of fire, damage, or injury. Here are some of our recommendations for the process – mind you, this isn’t a how-to guide. Properly educating yourself ahead of time is must!
- Start by unplugging your dryer and unscrewing the cover plate where the vent connects to the dryer.
- The lint trap and exhaust tube should then be removed so that you can get at any debris or accumulated lint inside.
- Any visible lint or debris should either be vacuumed out or brushed away.
- A thin brush should be used in hard-to-reach areas.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior surfaces of the dryer duct before reconnecting everything according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If the dryer vent has a long run and you don’t have the proper tools and vacuum to clean it, then we would recommend you have a professional come out to clean and service it. Call us today at 417-201-6585 or reach out online, and we can get out there and get this done for you.
What can happen if DIY dryer vent cleaning goes wrong?
Now, all that said, if you’re dealing with a difficult venting system, or if you don’t have the knowledge or tools to get this job done properly, trusting an expert is imperative. Why?
- Incorrect methods can lead to damage to your ventilation system.
- Improper tools or techniques can cause lint to get jammed up – creating bigger and more dangerous clogs in the process.
- If lint and other debris enters the air, it could lead to health issues or respiratory problems.
- If the job isn’t done fully or correctly, you’ll still be at risk for fire hazards or gas leaks.
In most cases, it’s going to be best to simply trust an expert from the start. Get the peace of mind and quality results you deserve by giving our experienced chimney sweeps a holler today.
How Often Should a Dryer Vent be Cleaned?
Cleaning the dryer vent should be done more frequently than you may think. Depending on your lifestyle, how frequently you use your dryer, and more, a dryer vent may need to be cleaned every 6 months or so. That said, usually yearly cleanings are sufficient.
We suggest starting out with at least two per year, then adjusting this number based on your tech’s recommendations. If your household sees a lot of dryer use, you may have to keep it at two per year (at least).
In addition to regular maintenance, it is important to check for any potential issues by noting if clothes take longer than usual to dry – this could be an indication of clogged vents or other vent-related issues, and it’s usually the first issue homeowners will notice.
If this is the case for you, then get things checked out sooner rather than later to prevent the risk of a fire. Just like routine chimney cleaning and inspections are vital in ensuring your fireplace’s safety and efficiency, regular inspections and cleanings will help extend the life and efficiency of your dryer and reduce unnecessary expenditures on future repairs or replacements.
Are Professional Dryer Vent Cleanings Worth It?
Absolutely. Professional dryer vent cleaning services are well worth the money spent – and can actually wind up saving you money over time by ensuring you avoid further home damage later on.
How so? Regularly cleaning dryer vents helps to keep lint and other debris from causing a clogged vent, reducing the risk of experiencing fires significantly.
In addition, properly functioning and clean dryer vents help the dryer run more efficiently, which leads to lower energy bills each month. This also means less wear and tear on the appliance, as a whole, and less wear on your clothes too. That’s a lot of money savings when you add it all up.
In the end, the cost for professional dryer vent cleaning is an investment in the safety of your family and property – and one that you’ll be glad you made.
How Can I Tell if My Dryer Vent Is Clogged?
There are four main things to look for that indicate your dryer may be clogged:
- Slow drying times. One of the key indicators that your dryer vent is clogged is an increase in dryer cycle time. If it’s taking more than an hour to dry a load of laundry or if the lint screen looks fuller than usual, there could be an issue with your venting system.
- Overheating of the dryer. If your clothes come out of the machine feeling hotter than what seems normal – or if they smell like burning fabric – you may be due for a cleaning.
- A burning smell or hot appliance. Do you notice a burning smell in the area around your dryer, or does the appliance itself feel unusually hot after use? This could mean that heat and moisture from the appliance aren’t adequately venting to the outside.
- Excessive lint. If you’re seeing visible lint on your clothing once it’s out of the dryer, this could also point to a blockage in the venting system. Lint might also show up inside of the dryer itself or in the area surrounding the dryer.
If you notice these issues, it’s important to address them quickly for your own safety and to avoid putting additional strain on your appliances. Call in our techs to look things over, so your household can gain the peace of mind it deserves.
Who Can I Call for Dryer Vent Services in Southwest Missouri & Northwest Arkansas?
Need dryer vent services soon? In search of a company who can perform chimney repairs and other related maintenance and clean out your dryer vents? Look no further than Ozark Stove & Chimney. Do your research, check out credentials, and be sure to look through our reviews too. We think once you do, you’ll see that, for any of your chimney and venting needs (including dryer vent cleaning), you won’t find another company as dedicated to you and your home as us.
Our experienced team of expert chimney sweeps will help maintain your dryer’s efficient performance, and we will do our best to meet you when you’re available, so you’re not stuck rearranging an already busy schedule. In fact, if you’re already having us out for a chimney cleaning or other service, see if we can get this done for you at the same time! Then, you can cross off two of your home maintenance needs in one shot.
Ready to get the highest level of care from the best experts around? Give the Ozark Stove & Chimney team a call at 417-201-6585 now. We’re here and happy to answer your questions.
Or, if you’d rather book online, we have the option for that too. Thanks for choosing us.
Your annual chimney inspection is sometimes followed up with a basic chimney sweeping to make sure everything is running smoothly and safely.