Why is Cleaning Your Dryer Vent Important?

Regardless of whether you rent or own your home, you likely have a washing machine and dryer in your space for personal use. You understandably may use these common appliances regularly without giving much thought to their care and maintenance. In fact, you may not think twice about servicing them until they begin to show signs of wear or damage. Both of these appliances require maintenance service periodically for their care and longevity, and this includes regular Fort Wayne dryer vent cleaning service. With a closer look at why you need to clean your dryer vent regularly, you will see why this essential step should be a top priority.  

How Your Dryer Vent Gets Dirty 

  Your clothes dryer works by circulating intensely hot air in the drum while the clothes are tumbling around. As this hot air circulates, it is suctioned out of the dryer via a vent and a hose or pipe that channels the hot air out of the house. As the clothes tumble around and are impacted by the force of this air, small pieces of lint are removed from the clothes. In addition, other items that may be in the pockets, such as a worn out tissue or wrapper, may also be removed from the clothes. Your dryer has a vent incorporated into it that is designed to trap some of this debris. However, other debris may be dislodged or work its way through the vent and entire the air pipe or hose that runs through the wall in the home.  

 The Risk Associated with a Dirty Dryer Vent 

  Many of the clothing particles, tissues and other small items that may be trapped in the dryer vent are combustible. More than that, they are subject to very hot temperatures through the normal operation of the dryer. When the machine's lint trap is very dirty, the hot air in the dryer drum cannot escape as easily as it otherwise might. This can result in the air becoming super-heated. This very hot air can cause the debris in the lint trap or throughout the ventilation pipe to spark and ignite. Because so much of the debris in these areas is highly-combustible, a small spark can cause a fire to develop and spread rapidly.  

 The Importance of Regular Dryer Vent Cleaning 

  You can see that a dirty dryer vent in your Fort Wayne home poses a serious fire risk. This risk includes the threat of property damage as well as injury to you and your loved ones in the home. When you regularly remove the lint and debris that is trapped in the dryer’s lint trap, you may dramatically reduce the risk of fire inside the machine. You also can reduce the amount of debris that may pass through the vents and build up vent pipe. More than that, you enable proper ventilation in the dryer so that the air does not become super-heated. In addition to cleaning the dryer’s lint trap, you also need to periodically clean out the ventilation pipe in the wall. Professional Fort Wayne dry vent cleaning service may be necessary for the best results.  

Many house fires are started each year because of poor cleaning and maintenance of dryers. Most of these fires may have been avoided through the routine removal of debris in the vent trap as well as regular vent hose or pipe cleaning. Now is a great time to assess your current dryer vent cleaning efforts and to determine which steps you need to take to improve in this area. 

Our certified, insured, and bonded experts at Dusty Brothers offer complete dryer vent repair and cleaning services in the greater Fort Wayne area that will make your dryer safe and energy efficient. Don’t take any chances – lower your risk of fire now. Our rates are competitive – guaranteed.