Spring Cleaning Should Include Dryer Vent Cleaning and the NFPA Agrees

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Spring is taking a little longer to arrive this year for much of the country. As warmer weather approaches and you start cleaning out flower beds and prepping outdoor furniture, consider adding your annual dryer vent cleaning to your list. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) Safety Source Blog offers this list of safe spring cleaning tasks, to include dryer vent cleaning too.

Dryer Vent Cleaning and cleaning the lint trap are very different chores. Of course you clean the lint trap with every load, but a little bit of lint, hair, pet hair, lint from softener sheets and other pocket gifts (tissues, business cards, pens) all get past the lint trap and accumulate in the dryer vent (the exhaust from the back of the dryer to the outside of the home or building).

Is Dryer Vent Cleaning something you can do on your own?

It is not recommended you clean the dryer vent yourself, but leave it to the professionals. In case you do feel this is a task you are able to handle, hardware stores and big box stores sell do-it-yourself dryer vent cleaning kits. Doing the dryer vent cleaning yourself will indeed save money, but often does damage the dryer, the vent pipe and flex pipe and sometimes the dryer termination or cover on the outside of the home. Many do-it-yourself dryer vent cleaning kits attach to a cordless drill are a screw-in type of attachment. These kits come with a 4” brush, nest tool attachment (for removing bird nest from the dryer vent) and several rods that all screw together to clean the entire length of the vent pipe which can be as long as 25 feet in length. If you accidentally reverse the drill while cleaning your dryer vent, the rods and brush will come unscrewed from one another and you will lose the components in the vent pipe. DUCTZ are called to retrieve dryer vent cleaning kits from the dryer vent. Instead it might be better to call DUCTZ for your annual dryer vent cleaning: www.DUCTZ.com

birds nest in dryer vent

Why is there a bird nest in my dryer vent? 

Dryer Vents are the perfect place for rodents and birds to make their homes and nesting spots! Dryer Vents are safe from the elements of rain and wind, they are warm and offer plenty of fluffy nesting material. If you do discover nesting material sticking out of your dryer vent cover or termination, it is important to remove the nest immediately or call DUCTZ to remove the nest. Not only will the birds and chicks likely fall into the dryer vent exhaust, but the blockage of exhaust will do severe damage to your dryer heating elements and poses a very real fire hazard.

What are the warning signs my Dryer Vent needs to cleaning?

  • It has been a year or more since your last dryer vent cleaning
  • Your clothes take more than one cycle to dry (or more than 55 minutes)
  • Your clothes are very hot when coming out of the dryer
  • The outside of your dryer is hot to the touch
  • Your dryer is turning off during the cycle (a safety feature warning that your dryer is getting dangerously hot)
  • Your dryer vent flaps do not open at the exhaust, or exterior of the house

Before-and-After-photo-of-a-dryer-vent-clogged-with-lintHow can I Prevent a Dryer Fire?

  • One of the leading causes of house fires are dryer fires
  • Clean the lint trap with each load
  • Do not overload your dryer
  • Never dry clothes while you are away from the house
  • Have your Dryer Vent cleaned once per year

What are the Benefits of having your Dryer Vent Cleaned?

  • Clothes dryer lasts longer
  • Clothes last longer
  • Less conditioned air leaves the home
  • Saves money on energy costs
  • Most dryer manufacturers require a professional dryer vent cleaning in order to maintain the dryer’s manufacturer warranty

To learn more about Dryer Vent Cleaning and DUCTZ dryer vent upgrades like the DUCTZ flex duct, bird cage and upgraded wall vents, click here to learn more: https://www.ductz.com/services/dryer-vent-cleaning-services/

To schedule your Air Duct Cleaning and Dryer Vent Cleaning, visit: www.DUCTZ.com or call (877) 382-8987

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