Do I Need Dryer Vent Cleaning Now?

If you are wondering what is dryer vent cleaning and why do you need it, this post will clear up all your questions. You ask yourself do I need dryer vent cleaning? Let’s answer your question. Have you ever stopped to clean out your dryer vent? If not, do you know what a dryer vent cleaning is and why you need it? While many people are aware that they have to clean out the removable lint screen in their dyer, many homeowners overlook the importance of cleaning out their dryer vents.

Not only is it something that needs to be cleaned if you want your dryer to function properly, but it is also a safety and fire hazard if neglected. If you’ve never cleaned your dryer vent, the below tips can help you get started. And if you need same day dryer vent cleaning for an emergency, be sure to get in touch with your local dryer vent cleaning service provider.

Importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning

Not only does dryer vent cleaning improve the function of your dryer, it also prevents fires. Clogged dryer vents lead to many house fires throughout the country each year and millions of dollars in damage. The trapped hot air in a dryer vent combined with the built up lint create a perfect environment for fire kindling. For the safety of yourself and others, make sure dryer vent cleaning is something you do regularly. 

PRO TIP: Read this great blog post to learn how to know if air ducts need to be cleaned! We know it will be helpful and informative.

When Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent

A few key indicators will alert you to clean your dryer vent. If you find your clothes taking longer to dry than usual, or if you often have to re-run your laundry for another cycle of drying it may be time to clean out the dryer vent. The opposite is true as well, if the clothes coming out of your dryer are hot to the touch, rather than warm it may be an indicator that the dryer is overheating due to reduced ventilation from a clogged vent. A smell of burning when the dryer runs is a huge indicator that you will need to do dryer vent maintenance as well. 

Internal Dryer Vent Cleaning

Make sure that the dryer lint screen is regularly cleaned, ideally between loads of laundry. The area around the dryer should be free of dust and debris as well. The next step would be to remove the dryer duct and vent cover (the tube and attachment) at the back of your dryer. You can then use a long hosed vacuum to clean out any lint within the dryer duct and vent cover. 

External Dryer Vent Cleaning

With this step you will need to go outside your home where the warm air from your dryer vents out to. Once you find it, there should be a vent cover or grate that covers the opening that vents your dryer’s hot air. You can then remove this grate cover. You will be able to access the dryer’s external vent and can proceed with the same steps as above, using a long-hosed vacuum to clean out any debris or lint that is trapped in the vent. 

Special Tools for Dryer Vent Cleaning

You may find that the debris and lint in your dryer vent has built up and is difficult to clean out. You may want to purchase a dryer vent kit, which includes a circular brush at the end of a length of thin PVC pipe. The dryer vent kit acts like a pipe cleaner or reusable straw cleaner, it is able to loosen and push out any built up debris. Once the debris is ejected or loosened you can proceed with vacuuming it up. 

If you are having issues with the above steps, there are services that will clean out your dryer vents for you as well. These services have all the tools, like dryer vent kits, and heavy duty vacuums to cover all the necessary steps of dryer vent cleaning.

Your dryer vent and dryer ducts should be cleaned at least twice a year. The frequency of dryer vent cleaning also depends on the frequency of use. If you are a single person using your dryer one to two times per week, the average two times per year may suffice. If your dryer is heavily used by several people more than five times a week, it would be beneficial to monitor your dryer functionality more carefully to see if you need more than a bi-yearly cleaning of the dryer vents. 

Maintaining Your Dryer Vent

Make sure that between loads of laundry, you are cleaning your dryer lint screen, which is also a fire hazard. If you keep the area around your dryer well cleaned, it will reduce the amount of lint and debris

How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent

Particles and dust that collects in the dryer vent requires somewhat regular cleaning. This reduces the chance of fires and also improves energy efficiency. Using dryer sheets or anything that introduces more clothing fibers into your laundry will clog your dryer vents more quickly. Keeping up with a bi-yearly or as-needed dryer vent cleaning schedule will prevent you from having a ton of lint buildup in your dryer vent.  Companies such as BenzVac offer dryer vent cleaning services and can help you clean dryer vents when it’s needed. You can contact them here for a free quote on services.

Do I Need Dryer Vent Cleaning?

Have you cleaned your dryer this year? If you have, you will probably find that your dryer is running smoothly, clothes are coming out warm and dry in a timely manner, and the smell of freshly laundered clothes is in the air. Cleaning your dryer vents is an immensely important fire safety practice. Maintaining dryer vents will give you peace of mind when it comes to fire safety, but will also allow your dryer to function as intended for many more years to come. 

Companies such as BenzVac LLC offer dryer vent cleaning services in various locations in NJ and NY. BenzVac is a air duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning company that works on both commercial and residential projects. Call BenzVac at your convenience to learn more about what is dryer vent cleaning and why do you need it.