Dryers are very good at pulling moisture out of wet clothes. By gyrating the clothes as well as blowing hot air through them at the same time, the clothes are dried at a convenient time and ready to wear again. However, all that hot air has to go somewhere, and the vent system allows easy escape. Unfortunately, as clothes are dried and blown, bits of fibers come off, as well as dust. That eventually coagulates in the vent exhaust system as dust. For years at first, it makes no difference, maybe amounting to a fine thin layer but having no influence on the airflow. However, after a good amount of use, that dust has built up and it then becomes a problem.
A Recipe for a Home Disaster
Because of the very nature of the hot air that dryers produce, the dust and debris that ends up trapped in a dryer vent fan become extremely dried out. With a blockage of the vent as well as the coagulation of material, the build-up of hot temperatures can create the ideal environment for a dryer fire. Since most dryer vent channels are basically very thin aluminum, which melts at a very low temperature, fire can spread to the rest of the structure quickly.
How to Deal with Vent Dust Effectively
A dryer vent cleaning service provides a thorough removal of all the dust, lint, and debris that could otherwise create the problems noted above. Systems work extremely well when they are maintained, especially airflow channels. Blocked or restricted air channels make the equipment work harder, and that can cause premature wear and tear. Just like a house air system, cleaning out the ducts and using filters helps reduce the strain, allowing airflow to move easier and efficiently.
More Than One Check is Possible
At the same time, a dryer vent cleaning also allows a simultaneous visual inspection of the dryer and venting function as well. This is key because if there is a malfunction or signs of one, such as burn residue, the machine can be signaled for service instead of continuing to be used with risk. Normally, dryers are installed with multiple temperature and safety systems because of the risk of dryer fires. However, it’s still possible, especially with the venting, for a problem to occur and not be immediately caught by an installed sensor that would otherwise cut off power.
Signals Something is Wrong With a Dryer
Common symptoms of dryer venting problems, include an inability to properly dry wet clothes which are still damp after a full cycle, frequent shutting down of the machine as the sensors are triggered by too much heat buildup, and circuit overloads and shorting in older homes as the electrical draw becomes too much for the Kanye West New Clothes Line powering the dryer. Clothes can also come out smelling wrong, even musty from too much moisture sitting for too long in the fabrics. Alternatively, a burned smell in the clothes is another signal of a growing problem as the clothes pick up smoke or fumes from overheating.
Don’t Waste Your Investment
If you want your dryer and laundry investment to last its longest, regular maintenance is a must, just like on a vehicle or other systems in a home. Mechanical systems are designed to last for decades if taken care of, but that means they need to be serviced regularly to avoid small issues. Fail to keep up maintenance, and small issues turn into big, costly problems as time goes on. Remember, prevention is always far lower in cost than damage control and recovery after the fact.
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