When To Clean Dryer Vents: Cleaning Dryer Vent And Dryer Vent Cleaning Services
Every year, thousands of fires are caused due to clogged dryer vents.
Dryer vent cleaning is thus not just desirable but imperative. When or how often you should indulge in cleaning dryer vent is obviously up to you and it shall also depend on the frequency of your use. There are people who don’t use their dryers often but millions of homes make use of dryers with religious regularity. In such cases, it is necessary to conduct annual dryer vent cleaning and it is also necessary to conduct a holistic inspection every six months . For heavy users, it is necessary to hire a dryer cleaner every three months for an inspection. Heavy use will clog the vents faster and the older a dryer or the vents, the greater are the risks. Another approach is to have an annual maintenance contract with a dryer cleaner. That will also be financially wise.
Beyond the annual dryer vent cleaning and the half yearly or seasonal inspection, you must be proactive and preempt any scenario when your dryer vents may have to be cleaned. It is absolutely possible that the vents are getting clogged sooner than you expect. You can predict the timeline of natural debris or lint buildup. You cannot predict or fathom a pest problem, unless there is some very obvious symptom. The vents may become a haven for pests and they may get clogged without you recognizing the issue. The dryers will make audible noises and there will be certain subtle signs but if you miss them then there is no way you can predict the problem unless you pay a dryer cleaner to conduct a holistic inspection.
A thorough inspection followed up with adequate cleaning of dryer vent would be quintessential. Another indicator of when to clean dryer vents are your utility bills. If you find your energy bill skyrocketing or an increased consumption of water, a sudden change in the ambience in your home despite the thermostat working fine and as programmed, then you can suspect that the dryer vents are not working properly. Whether it is a washing machine or a standalone dryer, the appliances will consume more energy and waste a tad more water when it is unable to flush out the exhaust air. That is why you would get to observe the impact on your utility bills.
Be proactive with dryer vent cleaning instead of being sorry.