Your clothes dryer can be an asset to any home and family. These appliances will last a decade when installed and used properly. Failing to keep them maintained properly can lead to dangerous and devastating fires and will shorten the life of the unit.
The Dirty Dryer Vent
The leading cause of dryer vent fires is failure to clean them. There are nearly 3,000 dryer vent fires per year that are responsible for $35 million in damage, as well as 100 injuries and 5 deaths. Most of these fires happen in winter, and clothes dryer fires peak in January. Before you experience a clothes dryer fire in your home, consider scheduling a cleaning. Despite having a lint trap, microscopic particles still pass through the dryer vent and coat the interior. Without cleaning on a regular basis, the lint can buildup and obstruct airflow through the vent. As the air slows down, buildup becomes worse–the moist lint compacting together into a highly flammable mass of fuel.
You need to schedule a dryer vent cleaning if it wasn’t professionally installed or if you haven’t had it cleaned in 12 months.
There are signs that will tell you when your dryer vent needs to be cleaned, and scheduling the service will not only keep you safe, but save you money too.
Signs that your dryer vent needs to be cleaned:
The dryer takes more than one cycle to dry a moderately sized load
The dryer is hot to the touch and clothes are excessively hot
There is moisture, lint, or heat pushed into the home from the dryer
The lint trap is empty or has very little lint between loads
The vent outlet is clogged
The Problem With Dirty Vents
A clogged dryer vent is dangerous and costs you money. When the dryer takes multiple cycles to get the job done, it costs you in excess money on utilities. Running two to three cycles will cost 2 to 3 times more in utility cost, and will shorten the life of your unit by 2 to 3 times! That means instead of buying a new unit after ten years, you may need one after just 3 to 5 years. This is a waste of money and can be avoided.
What To Do About It
Protect your home from dangerous dryer vents by scheduling services today. At The Mad Hatter we clean and inspect dryer vents in Indianapolis to keep our friends and neighbors safe. It’s our goal to provide services that may bring safety into your home.
In addition to dryer vent services, we also strive to offer the best services for comprehensive chimney care, including diagnostics, cleaning, and repair. We can keep your home running smoothly and safely.
Schedule online today or call for immediate assistance: 317-596-0200.