Providing Excellent Workmanship for
all of your Chimney Sweep & Fireplace Needs!
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Dryer vent cleaning is an important part of fire prevention and home maintenance. Dryer vent fires are the most common type of house fires in the United States, with an estimated 15,000 fires annually (in fact, there are more dryer vent fires than chimney fires). It’s little wonder why dryer vent fires are such a problem. Lint traps give the average homeowner a sense of safety.
Unfortunately, lint traps only capture a fraction of the total lint, which leave the rest of it lining your dryer vent. Luckily, this highly combustible lining gives its presence away. There are several signs that you might have an excessive accumulation of lint which requires dryer vent cleaning.
Lint clogging in your dryer vent manifests itself in poor performance and excessive heat. Clothes will take longer to dry completely, and feel hotter once removed. The dryer may feel hot to the touch and your laundry room any be more hot and humid than is normal. A faint burning smell might also be noticeable.
Any of these symptoms are cause for dryer vent cleaning.
Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning
Periodic dryer vent cleaning and maintenance is essential. It’s recommended that twice a year your dryer vent is checked for lint buildup. Most lint accumulates near the end of the end of the dryer vent tubing and within the back of your dryer. Remove any large accumulations of lint by hand or using a vacuum.
For optimal safety, it’s recommended that you have professional dryer vent cleaning annually. While most lint accumulated near the ends of the dryer vent, large chunks of lint may get stuck in the middle. Dryer vents are frequently long and difficult to clean the length of without special tools. Additionally, various factors can greatly increase the rate of lint accumulation. Sharp bends or kinks in the dryer venting are the most common causes of rapid lint buildup. An unexpected cause of rapid buildup is running a dryer vent through a cold area, such as an attic. This will cause condensation that will greatly increase the rate of lint accumulation. A local dryer vent cleaning professional will know these and many more hazards and will inspect your dryer vent to ensure your safety.
While safety is the most important aspect of dryer vent cleaning, people are often surprised by the amount they can save on electricity. A clogged lint trap prevents your dryer from working efficiently, requiring much longer dryer cycles. Keeping your dryer vent clean is an easy way to help keep your electricity bills low.
If like most American homes, it’s been years since a professional cleaned your dryer vent, it’s time to schedule a cleaning. We at Carolina ProSweep take the utmost care to provide accurate, professional service that will leave your home clean and safe!
Proper Maintenance Tips
- Clean the lint filter/screen after each use. Clean the vent and exhaust duct periodically
- Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is in operation to ensure that air is escaping and not getting clogged somewhere.
- It may be necessary to remove the exhaust duct from the dryer to dislodge an obstruction. This lint and debris is made of highly flammable particles of cotton and polyester. Once these fibers clog the vent heated air cannot escape.
- Pull the dryer out from the wall and ensure that lint and other fibers are not collecting.
- Hire proper Chimney Sweep services to come clean and maintain the vent.
Although you can perform many of those tasks yourself, it is a good idea to have a professional dryer vent cleaning company come in annually and give your dryer unit a thorough cleaning. Because today’s newer homes often place a dryer away from an outside wall, the dryer is vented for a longer distance and inspection and debris removal is complicated to impossible without professional tools. Many apartment/condominium complexes and homeowner’s associations now require an annual or semi-annual dryer vent cleaning to prevent accidents and fires.
Call Us Today! 704-813-2617
FULLY INSURED
