There are some jobs that you know have to be done on a regular basis. Getting your chimney cleaned and inspected is one of those jobs. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that this be done on an annual basis. Similarly, one area that too often gets neglected within a home is the dryer vent. Dryer vents should be cleaned by a professional every year. If you’ve been putting this off, or if you’ve never had it done professionally, now is a great time to call Alpine Chimney Sweeps to set up an appointment.
What Happens in the Dryer
Does anyone really know what happens in the dryer? Let’s start with what happens in the washing machine. When your clothes are in the washer, tiny pieces of fiber loosen from your clothes and stick to the clothes because they’re wet. When you put your clothes in the dryer and turn it on, the spokes on the drum of the dryer bring the clothes to the top of the drum, and then the clothes drop down to the bottom. On the way down, warm air is pushed through the clothes, and that’s what dries them. The air goes through the lint screen and with it, the little particles from the clothes. This is just what should happen, and that’s why your lint screen needs to be emptied after every load. Unfortunately, some of those particles get through and head down the dryer vent tubing. Because these particles are damp, they stick easily to the vent tubing, and that’s how a buildup begins. This lint is highly flammable, and one spark from the dryer could at the very least catch fire to your dryer, and at the worst, your home.
Signs and Consequences of Blockage
There are some signs that your dryer vent is becoming blocked. If it takes several cycles to dry your clothes, it could mean that your dryer is struggling to get the air out because the passage through the dryer vent is getting too narrow. If your dryer seems to be running hot, it probably means that your dryer vents are too full. Although the worst consequence of blockage is fire, another consequence is that your energy bills can start to increase.
Get Your Dryer Vents Professionally Cleaned
Although cleaning your dryer vents is a job you could potentially do on your own, it is pretty complex and easier to accomplish if you have the proper tools. That’s why it’s a good idea to call Alpine Chimney Sweeps to get the job done right. We have the tools and the training to get your dryer vents cleaned properly. Don’t let another year go by without getting your dryer vents professionally cleaned!
Recent Comments