Chimney Care Company's Blog
How to Know if Your Dryer Vent Needs Repaired
Clothing dryer technology is simple; a heating element warms the air and blows it into the rotating drum of the dryer. When your clothing dryer isn’t working properly, there are few components that could be to blame for the malfunction. Often, problems with clothing dryers are traceable back to the clothing dryer vents. That’s why you should know the signs that your clothing dryer vent requires repairs.
Signs Your Dryer Vent Needs Repairs
Often the first signs that clothing dryer vents aren’t working properly are subtle. For example, each load of clothing will take longer to dry than is normal. You might find that clothes are damp and musty instead of fresh, dry and pleasantly warm. Your dryer might feel unusually hot to the touch when it’s running. Your laundry room might have a strong burning smell or an overwhelming smell of fabric softener. You also might notice that your lint trap fills up faster than usual, or you might see an accumulation of lint around your vents or dryer.
How to Tell if Your Dryer Vents are to Blame
How can you hone in on the true cause of damaged dryer vents? There’s a simple check that should be able to help you determine if your dryer vents are exhausting air the way they should. When the dryer is in use, pay a visit to your external dryer vent, the vent that allows the air from your dryer to exit your home. The flap covering the dryer vent should be forced open while the dryer is in use. You also can place your hand under the vent to verify that air is blowing outward. If air isn’t exiting through the vent when the dryer is in use, it’s time to take action.
Why a Damaged Dryer Vent Matters
A malfunctioning dryer vent is an inconvenience and a hazard. Faulty dryer vents cause thousands of home fires each year, and they can allow dangerous carbon monoxide to leak back into your home. At the very least, a damaged dryer vent can increase your home energy bills, as it takes more cycles to dry your clothes.
Who to Call if Your Dryer Vent Needs Repairs
If your dryer vents clearly aren’t doing their job — or if you suspect that they need to be repaired — call in the experts from the Chimney Care Co. Their technicians can clean your dryer vents to verify that a clog isn’t to blame for your dryer woes. They’ll also inspect the entire dryer vent to make sure that it is in good repair. Your Chimney Care Co. technician will restore your dryer vent’s function so that your clothing dryer once again will run safely and efficiently.