How Often Should A Dryer Vent Be Cleaned?

Most people manually clean their clothes dryer’s lint filter before or after each use. But what about the dryer venting, which could be quite lengthy and mostly unseen? Doodlebuggers Fireplace, Grill & Outdoor Store of Pensacola, FL, and Destin, FL, would like to cover a few guidelines about dryer vents and how often they should be cleaned.

First, have your venting inspected

Every household is different. How often you use your dryer and the amount of lint produced are the two main factors to consider when setting a cleaning schedule. A dryer vent technician will evaluate the level of buildup in your venting and talk with you about your usage patterns.

A good rule of thumb is to have your dryer vent cleaned once a year. But your technician may suggest cleaning more or less frequently. It’s important to keep in mind that cleaning your lint filter will not prevent other lint from entering your dryer’s venting.

What an obstructed dryer vent can cause

Homeowners often experience the symptoms of an obstructed dryer vent without knowing why the problems are happening. Here are some common issues that can result from an obstructed clothes dryer vent.

Clothes take much longer to dry
Utility bills rise
Lint builds up around the exit of the venting
You notice a “burnt” smell when you use the dryer
The dryer motor burns out from overuse
Carbon monoxide production (see below)
A dryer fire (see below)

The carbon monoxide issue

Carbon monoxide is a serious concern with clogged dryer vents. When a gas dryer system overheats, it can create carbon monoxide, which is an odorless and invisible gas. Although you can’t see it or smell it, you can inhale it.
Breathing carbon monoxide can lead to a variety of upper respiratory problems, including nausea, dizziness, confusion and lethargy. In the worst-case scenario, carbon monoxide inhalation can be fatal to both humans and animals.
There are many cases of carbon monoxide poisoning worldwide every year. Obviously, not all of them are caused by obstructed clothes dryer vents, but some of them are.

Clothes dryer fires

Around 3,000 clothes dryer fires happen each year. The majority of them occur because of built-up lint on lint filters and within dryer vent systems. If you happen to be near the dryer at the time of a fire, you may be able to contain it quickly. If you happen to be in another part of the house – or away from the house – the results might not be as favorable.

Who should clean your dryer vent?

Licensed dryer vent technicians have the tools and experience to clean your dryer’s venting safely and efficiently. These technicians can inspect your venting and talk with you about best practices for using and maintaining your vent system.
Doodlebuggers provides dryer vent cleaning, inspection, repair, re-routing and installation for our Florida customers. If it has to do with your dryer vent, we know how to keep it in tip-top shape.

Reach a dryer vent expert today at (850) 477-1151 in Pensacola, FL, or at (850) 243-0154 in the Destin, FL, area. You can also get in touch with our handy contact form.