Care for Your Dryer Vent This Valentine’s Day

It’s unlikely that giving your clothes dryer venting some special care this Valentine’s Day will make the machine turn around and give you friendly card and a box of chocolates. But it just might keep it from giving you a major repair bill or a fire.

Doodlebuggers Fireplace, Grill & Outdoor Store of Pensacola, FL, and Destin, FL, would like to remind you of the important reasons to keep your dryer vent system clean and free of obstructions this Valentine’s Day – and every day of the year.

Not all dryer vents are made the same

Some clothes dryers vent right to the outside of the house with a vent tube that’s a foot or two long. Others have very long vent tubes that often include twists and turns. This is where the trouble starts.

A long venting system with angles is the perfect place for lint and debris to build up. Over time, this can partially or completely obstruct the airflow. When that happens:

• Laundry will take longer to dry
• Your dryer will work harder and longer and may burn out sooner than expected
• Huge amounts of humidity will be added to the laundry room, which can lead to mold growth
• Clothes will wear out faster due to excessive time in the dryer
• Your utility bills will be higher
• A fire can start in or near the machine

This can all be prevented by making sure your dryer’s venting is clean and open. Homeowners can perform dryer vent cleaning if they have the right equipment.  The work can also be done by a company or technician that specializes in cleaning dryer vents.

How to know if it’s time to clean your dryer vent

These signs will tell you that your venting tube is narrowing with debris and lint.

Longer cycles

If your machine is requiring two or more cycles to fully dry laundry, there may be a vent issue. This problem could also be caused by a mechanical malfunction within the dryer.

Burning smell

Lint and debris in a dryer’s venting are flammable. If you smell burning in the vicinity of the clothes dryer, shut it off and determine where the smell is coming from. Fix the problem before using the dryer again.

Machine is hot

A warm surface on a clothes dryer is normal. A very hot surface is not. If your dryer’s top or sides are very hot, it means the machine is working way too hard. A possible cause is a clogged dryer vent.

Dryer hood flap doesn’t open

There should be a heavy flow of warm air exiting your home from the dryer duct opening. If the air isn’t pushing the flap open, there’s probably an obstruction somewhere along the line. However, there could also be a break in the venting material.

Get your dryer vent cleaned this Valentine’s Day

Don’t wait until next Valentine’s Day to have your clothes dryer vent properly serviced and cleaned. Doodlebuggers is ready to help right now. We provide expert dryer vent cleaning service and inspections. We also repair damaged dryer venting and install new venting.

Reach a dryer vent specialist by phone, or get in touch by using our simple contact form. We work throughout the greater Pensacola, FL, and Destin, FL, regions.