Dryer Vent Cleaning
More at risk than just how long it takes to dry your clothes.
A dryer vent with lint build-up will cause a whole host of issues, so it’s critical that you check your dryer venting to make sure it is kept clean. It only takes a thin film of lint in your vent duct to start slowing down the exhaust air to the outdoors. When this happens, your dryer will be forced to work harder to dry your clothes, causing it to run longer, harder and (worst of all) hotter. If that blockage isn’t cleared, all of that hot air won't be able to escape and it could create a fatal hazard such as a fire. We don’t want you to worry about what damage could be done if you ran your dryer overnight.
Did you know? Many older homes used plastic vent ducts which are now illegal to use and must be replaced rather than cleaned.
Can’t I Clean the Dryer Myself?
Unless you know how to properly clean the dryer vent it’s not recommended that you clean it yourself. This could potentially make the hazard worse. Many of the tools that you can buy at hardware stores won’t clean the entire vent line and, if you can’t ensure the entire system is clear, you shouldn’t attempt to clean this vent system on your own.
At QUADCA, we recommend you only hire a professional vent cleaning expert who will make sure the system is clean from end to end. They will also examine the ducting and replace any portions that require it. In many homes, the dryer vents use covers with rodent screens that plug the vents right away and will create a fire hazard. If homeowners are unaware of these rodent screens, they will push all the lint to the screen and block the air exhaust, creating a real problem—especially when the vent exits onto the roof where it's difficult to inspect.