Dryer vent cleaning is an area of routine home maintenance neglected by many, yet it is one of the most important things that every homeowner should remember. After all, almost every single home has a dryer today, and with it, the importance of keeping the vents clean is even more vital.
Avoid a blocked vent
The most important reason why dryer vent cleaning should not be ignored is because a blocked vent can easily cause fire. Every year, a great number of house fires are caused by dryer hoses clogged by lint. Lint is highly flammable and if a dryer vent gets clogged, it can’t properly release the hot air created by the dryer, which means heat build up can occur and ignite the lint.
Be more efficient
Also, when the vents become clogged, they do not dry clothes as efficiently. When this happens the clothes are often left in the dryer for longer drying cycles. This process is a waste of energy, which will incur significantly in your monthly bills.
How often should it be done?
It all depends on factors such as the number of loads, the kind of laundry dried, the length and the number of elbows in the vent. However, as a rule of thumb, dryer manufacturers recommend the dryer vent be cleaned annually.
