Dirty Dryer Vents Can Be Dangerous

A common find is dirty dryer vents. The vents are tucked away typically out of site so it can be easy to forget about them. After a long day at work, the last thing most of us are thinking about is that I need to clean the dryer vent. Dirty dryer vents can be dangerous. Dirty dryer vents can be dangerous because they can cause excessive heat and humidity. This helps create a fire hazard. Every appliance in our homes has some type of maintenance that needs to be conducted on a regular basis to keep our homes safe and keep the appliance operating for its expected life cycle.

How often should you clean your dryer vent? Dirty Dryer Vents Can Be Dangerous

In short, the answer is to clean it as much as needed. Dryer usages vary between homes one home may use the dryer a couple of times a month while another may use the dryer multiple times per week. Personally, I clean ours every six months or so and we use our dryer 4-5 times a week. Our vent is short and connected directly to the wall behind the dryer to be vented outside.

You may have a different installation which could make it a little harder to keep an eye on the vent. There are dryer vents that are installed and terminate through the roof. I’m not in favor of the installation that terminates through the roof. As a home inspector, I find dirty dryer vents when I enter the attic more often than you would expect.

Cleaning your dryer vent can prevent the following problems:

• House fires – lint traps heat and it’s flammable
• Musty odors – the heat that is trapped can result in musty odors. it’s not just a matter of unpleasant smells, as the trapped heat and humidity can turn into mold, which can be a health risk.
• Excessive heat or humidity –  a dirty dryer vent can be dangerous when it traps and relocates the excessive heat back inside your home. Dryers produce a lot of heat in order to dry your clothes, and having that heat cycle back into your home can create problems managing the humidity levels in your hold or area where the appliance is located.
• Damp loads of laundry –  a build of lint can also damage the appliance causing your dryer from ventilating properly and impacting its ability to dry your clothing.

If you suspect your dryer is in need of a cleaning, here’s what to look for:

• It takes longer to dry a load.
• Your dryer and clothing are very hot.
• Burning smells.
• The vent hood flap can’t close properly

By routinely cleaning your dryer vent, you can save yourself from dangerous house fires and costly utility bills. Don’t wait until you start smelling smoke, protect your home and household by cleaning your dryer vent. If you have additional questions and you want to get in contact with GGR Home Inspections please send us a note, text, or call.

How to Clean Out Your Dirty Vents and Ducting

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