The Dangerous Of Clogged Dryer Vent
A clogged dryer vent can be caused by a buildup of lint in the ventilation system that is restricting air flow. The lint that has built up over the past few months or year affects not only the operation of your dryer vent but can also be a fire hazard. In fact, over 15,000 clothes dryer fires reported each year causing an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss.
Warning Signs Your Dryer Vent Is Clogged
Burning Smell
Have you noticed a burnt odor coming from your dryer whenever you have a load going? Nope, it’s not your imagination…the smell is. In fact, coming from your dryer. When your dryer vent clogged it’s having to work extra hard to dry your clothes. Which means it’s overworking itself and creating this burnt smell.
Excess Lint
While keeping a clean lint trap may help prevent buildups and clogs. An annual dryer vent cleaning still necessary in order to keep a safe and efficient dryer vent system. Lint that should pushed through the vent line may build up instead due to the use of unsuitable ventilation materials. Improper installation, or nests and other debris in the line that can accumulate lint passing through. When an obstruction forms in the vent line. Lint begins to collect in spaces throughout the system and laundry area.
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- Lint Behind Dryer and In Door Seal: Lint that forced into and behind the dryer near the machine components is a significant fire hazard and should be removed immediately.
- Lint on Clothing: When your clothes come out of the dryer with lint on them, it likely that lint become trapped in the dryer with nowhere to go but on your clothes due to a dryer vent clog.
- No Lint on Lint Trap/Lint Screen: If you find no lint on the lint trap, or lint on the wrong side of the screen. An obstruction is most likely causing a backup of lint in your machine. Back pressure and a buildup of heat and lint in the machine can easily result in a dryer fire.
Excess Dry Times
One of the first signs that your dryer vent clogged is when your clothes are no longer fully drying during a regular dry cycle. The drying time should take no longer than 30-40 minutes per load. If your dryer vent seem clogged, your clothes will take longer and longer to dry because the blocked dryer vent become trapping the air. And keeping your clothes hot and moist. If you remove your clothes from the dryer after a cycle and they still feel damp. This means your need to get your dryer vent cleaned out.