When you use your dyer, it becomes second nature to check and clean the lint trap before drying a load of laundry. To neglect this step, as most know, will increase the risk of a fire. However, what many do not know is that it is equally important to check their dryer vents for lint buildup and blockages. Clogged and dirty dryer vents can increase the risk of a fire hazard, which have sparked thousands of fires per year across the US and Canada. In fact, it is the leading cause of dryer fires in North America. To eliminate this risk, it is recommended that you have your dryer vent cleaned at least once a year.
There are some key things that you can look out for to determine if you need your dryer vents cleaned. Next time you dry a load of laundry, look out for the following signs:
- It takes long and longer for your clothes to dry – it can take up to two to three times as long to dry a standard load of laundry.
- Your clothes becomes almost too hot to touch at the end of a drying cycle – this happens because your vent is preventing your dryer from exhausting properly.
- There is an excess amount of lint and debris around the dryer hose or adjacent to the vent opening – another telltale sign is that your outside vent stays shut when your dryer is running.
- It’s been over a year since your last dryer vent inspection.
In addition to taking these steps, regularly cleaning your lint trap after each dryer cycle will help to keep your dryer vents free from lint.
