Posting Date: January 24, 2017
Posted by: Glen Herd, Houston Office Manager

You probably clean out the lint trap from your clothes dryer once in a while (if not, you should do it right now!). But what about the dryer vent, which exhausts hot air outside your home?

That dryer vent carries not only air, but also bits of lint that the trap misses – which can be a lot of material over time. When the trap is full, the lint has nowhere to go but into the vent.

Clumps of lint and fabric in the dryer vent are problematic for two key reasons. First, they can kill the efficiency of the dryer by slowing airflow, which makes clothes take longer to dry (and costs you up to $25 a month on your monthly energy bill).

But the second and greatest concern from unchecked vents comes from dryer fires. Lint is highly flammable – in fact, more than 15,000 dryer fires occur every a year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. In fact, dryer fires account for nearly five percent of all reported home structure fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association!

Signs your vent may need to be cleaned

Awareness is the first step for preventing a dangerous build-up of lint in your dryer vent. Look for these signs:

• Clothes are taking more than one cycle to dry
• Burning smell when the dryer is running
• Condensation inside the dryer door
• Lint accumulation at the base / back of the dryer

If you notice these signs, call us at (904) 396-6565 or (866) 777-5994 to schedule your dryer vent cleaning immediately to help prevent a fire in your home! And please tell your family, friends, and neighbors about this urgent issue!