Dryer vent fires can be defined as the number one reason behind the cause of fires in United States. Unfortunately, many people ignore dryer vent cleaning since it is out of their sight. However, it is one of the most important aspects of fire hazard prevention at home. Keep on reading this article to learn the importance of dryer vent cleaning and how to do it.
Why you should clean your dryer vents?
Safety According to a 2013 report, dryers are recognized as a possible fire hazard. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has states that dryers were responsible for over 20,000 fires in United States during 2008. They have resulted in over 20 deaths and 370 injuries. A fire can happen in the dryer when lint builds up. They can block the air flow, which causes a lot of heat to build up. This can cause fire at any point of time.
Safety experts say that your dryer requires more maintenance than your dishwasher. That’s why you need to clean the dryer vent, exhaust duct and all the other places where lint can build up on a regular basis. It is always better to get the assistance of a qualified person for the cleaning process. They will take necessary measures to eliminate the places where lint can accumulate and provide you with a safe home.
Money Dryer vent cleaning can also assist you to save a lot of money. When the exhaust air passage gets narrowed with blocks, your dryer will have to do a lot of hard work in order to dry your clothes. This can consume a lot of electricity. It has been identified that you can save about $25 a month by maintaining your dryer periodically. Moreover, when your dryer works hard for longer time periods, it will wear out faster. This can lead you to occasional repairs that will cost a lot of money. The amount you spend for cleaning can therefore be considered as a great investment done towards the future.
How to determine whether your dryer vent needs cleaning or not?
You can simply determine whether your dryer vent requires cleaning or not. If it takes a lot of time to dry your clothes, or if your clothes are hotter than normal you should go for vent cleaning. More humidity in the laundry room and enhanced temperature outside the dryer also indicate a dryer vent cleaning. When you see these signs, you can think of cleaning the dryer vents on your own or seeking the assistance of a professional to do the job. Out of these two options, seeking the assistance of a professional is much recommended. It is because they have the necessary skills, tools and experience that is required to deliver a perfect job. They will inspect the system in detail and make necessary changes that can assist you to keep your dryer vents away from trouble for a long period of time.