In areas like Etobicoke, where the weather can change in the blink of an eye generating heat waves and cold snaps, knowing more about how often to clean your dryer vent is critical. Especially if you are already a senior citizen who needs outside help from professionals.
In this detailed article, we’ll explain how often you should clean your dryer vent, the possible disadvantages of not doing so, and give you some tips to maintain it.
What Are Dryer Vents?
Dryer vents are an important part of your laundry system, as they collect the moist air generated by the clothes dryer and carry it out of your home. These processes ensure that your clothes are dry and, therefore, prevent indoor humidity from rising.
In a place like Etobicoke, where the weather is so changeable, dryers require extra effort to perform as well as possible.
Under cold temperatures in the winter, this can cause condensation to form on the inside of the vent leading to moisture buildup. Moreover, high humidity levels in summer can also contribute to this problem, so it is very important that you are proactive with maintenance requirements.
Being aware of clogs and inefficiencies will help you keep your drying system safe and working properly.
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The Danger of a Clogged Dryer Vent
Failure to clean the dryer vent regularly can lead to many serious problems.
One of them is an increased likelihood of fire. Since lint is flammable, a clogged vent can cause it to catch fire from the heat of the dryer. But this risk is greater, if you live in Etobicoke during the winter, when dryers work overtime to combat the cold.
In addition, a blocked dryer vent can even greatly decrease the efficiency of your dryer. Because, when dryer vents are blocked, they cause dryers to have to work much harder and longer, which increases energy consumption and makes electricity bills more expensive. (Read more about Long term home-care key for Ontario.)
As a result of this prolonged strain, the life expectancy of your dryer is reduced, requiring costly repairs or replacements over time.
The other effect of dryer vent clogging is dirty air in the house. Too much lint and humidogs also contributes to aggressive mold growth, a health hazard, especially if you’re an older person.
Therefore, regular cleaning can lessen these hazards and make your resident a safer place to live and breathe better.
When do You Have to Clean Your Dryer Vents if You Live in Etobicoke?
In Etobicoke, the change of seasons will determine how often you should clean your dryer vent.
But it’s just that, the dryer runs more in the winter because the windows are closed and the heat is on. So to keep blockages at bay, your vent should be cleaned at the beginning and end of each winter season by a professional cleaning service.
Another good time to clean vents can be in the summer, when moisture builds up due to high levels in the air. Mid-summer cleaning can prevent the growth of mold and mildew, and keep your drying system operating at peak capacity.
Spring and fall are ideal times to perform maintenance checks and cleanings, especially to get your dryer up to speed when the change of seasons arrives. You can stay ahead of the game, so to speak, by making sure you’re having your periodic maintenance in sync with Etobicoke’s weather changes.
That way you avoid any potential problems before they become a real problem.
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Signs That You Need a Dryer Vent Cleaning
There are certain telltale signs you can see to know when it’s time to clean your dryer vent. Some of the most obvious ones are:
- If your clothes take longer than 40 minutes or feel too hot after running them for a normal drying cycle. This may indicate an airflow restriction, which in turn will cause your dryer to run more inefficiently.
- If the laundry room feels hotter than usual when the dryer is running, this is another indication that hot air is not escaping where it should and there could be a leak in your home.
- If you notice a burning smell while using the dryer, it’s imperative that you discontinue use and take a look at the vent for obstructions.
- You can also gain valuable information by periodically examining the vent cover on the outside of your home Clean the dryer vent opening and flap.
- If you see lint or other debris in or around the dryer vent opening, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned.
- A consistent response to these signals can prevent serious problems from developing in the future.
Tips for cleaning dryer vents
If you want to maintain your dryer vents without hiring the help of professionals we recommend following these tips:
- Unplug the dryer and disconnect it from the electrical outlet. Pull the dryer away from the wall to reach where the vent comes out.
- Vacuum the back of the dryer to remove any remaining lint (or use a circular or side-to-side motion) After that, place a dryer vent brush in the duct and slowly clean out all debris.
- Be sure to clean both sides of the vent, including the outer cover.
- For even more thorough cleaning, you can try one of the many dryer vent cleaning kits with long, flexible rods. Most of these kits feature a wide variety of sizes of professional-grade python brushes made specifically for navigating the ducts.
When everything is clean, reassemble the dryer and plug it back in. Performing a short drying cycle after cleaning will help you confirm functionality.
Professional Dryer Duct Cleaning Service
If you’re old enough and looking for a comprehensive solution, professional services are the way to go. Well-trained technicians know how to best clean the dryer vent system and use specialized tools that can prevent a fire from starting.
All qualified technicians and expert cleaners use high-powered vacuums, air whips and brushes designed to scrub the insides of ductwork. They vacuum up any debris that may have been deposited in the undamaged sections and examine your system for damage from improper installation or previous fires where insulation within a wall area has cracked.
There are several home maintenance companies that offer professional dryer vent cleaning in Etobicoke like Custodia. Where you are guaranteed to get complete service and top quality care.
Don’t forget that regular annual cleanings will keep your system running properly, give you peace of mind and add years to the life of your dryer.
Importance of keeping the dryer vent ducts clean
One of the main reasons why it is very important to maintain a dryer vent is that it greatly decreases the risk associated with dryer fires. This will help keep you and your family safe.
Although it seems like a no-brainer, this is a crucial preventative measure, as there are thousands of fires caused primarily by blocked vents every year.
Second, a clear vent improves the efficiency of your dryer. Well-cleared dryers can increase clothes drying and reduce drying time.
If your dryer is not working overtime, it will use much less electricity, which translates into big energy savings and reduced wear and tear on your dryer.
In addition, proper care can also improve air circulation and reduce the formation of mold and mildew, as well as dryer lint scattering. This is particularly relevant for families who have members with allergies, as you provide a safe and clean home.
How do you make dryer vent cleaning part of your routine?
Here are some practices you need to follow to have the best dryer venting system:
- Clean the lint filter before and after each load. Just this simple step alone can make a big difference in lint buildup inside the vent system.
- Set up your dryer with the correct dryer configuration that includes a tight connection and a vent hose without kinks. Aluminum ducts that are smooth and rigid have wider gaps for improved airflow, so there will be less chance of a blockage.
- Think about adding a vent cover on the duct to prevent clogging from dust and also pests, etc. Whenever it starts to show signs of wear or damage, you will need to inspect and replace them.
These best practices for dryer venting system safety and efficiency are the keys to a well-functioning and safe residential dryer.
Common mistakes to avoid
Common mistakes to avoid when maintaining your home dryer vent.
- Failure to clean the lint trap before each load. The problem is even worse because lack of proper maintenance causes lint to build up more quickly in the venting system, which can lead to blockages and ultimately a fire.
- Plastic or aluminum foil accordion ductwork can trap lint more easily and is more susceptible to damage than smooth, rigid metal ductwork. Using the right materials can make a big difference in keeping your vent free of clogs.
- Installing your dryer too close to the wall so that when it is plugged in, there is a large bend or kink in the vent hose. By creating that restriction in the vent you can cause air circulation problems called lint nesting. Make sure there is enough space between the dryer and the wall to provide a clear path for this vent hose.
While living in Etobicoke, where all kinds of weather conditions exist, it is very important to clean your dryer vent. Learning the meaning and a regular cleaning routine will keep your home safer and you will reap many benefits as it saves on energy costs.
And is that, not cleaning the dryer vents can have disastrous consequences, such as fire hazard, increased electrical consumption and poor air quality inside your home. So follow the tips we gave you to keep your home and family safe.
You can also contact us to request your professional dryer vent cleaning service for quality results. Remember that we have payment plans that are all a help, especially if you are a senior looking to take care of your finances.
So don’t let this opportunity go and contact us to get the professional attention you need!