Most people have never thought about cleaning the dryer vent in your home in Gaithersburg. The dryer vent is different than the dry filter which is the removable screen that you have to peel the lint off of. The dryer vent is the pipe that carries all of the moisture, hot air and excess lint out of your home. Below we’re going to explore what can happen to your dryer vent if left unattended and why you should get it regularly cleaned.

Dryer Vent Clogs

The dryer vent is responsible for exhausting all of the moisture, heat and lint out of your dryer as it dries your clothing. The lint is the main problem here. Lint is comprised mostly of textile fibers that come loose from your clothes during the washing and drying process. The filter is supposed to catch most of the lint but obviously some gets through and travels through the dryer’s venting system. Over time, the moisture and lint can collect in the dryer vent pipes and start to build up. Eventually, it starts to restrict air flow.

Problems from Clogs

The lint build up in the dryer vents can cause a number of problems. Here are a few of them.

  • Increased dry time – With the restricted air flow, your dryer will not be able to pull out as much moisture from your clothes. This will increase the dry time for your laundry.
  • Decreased efficiency – The clogged dryer vents will make your dryer have to work harder to push the exhaust air out of your home. This puts extra strain on the fan and will decrease the overall efficiency of your dryer.
  • Overheating – Another side-effect of a clogged dryer vent is that your dryer may overheat.

The Danger of Dryer Vent Clogs

Another serious problem with dryer vents clogs is the risk of fire. About 15,000 fires are started each year by dryer vent lint. As the clog gets worse and worse, it will eventually start to encroach on the dryer’s casing. When that happens, it comes in contact with the heating element inside the dryer. Lint is a highly flammable material and can quickly ignite and start a fire.

Dryer Vent Cleaning

All of these problems can be potentially reduced with regular dryer vent cleaning. If you’d like to learn more about the dryer vent cleaning services in Gaithersburg, contact the experts at All-Pro Appliance Repair. We would be more than happy to come look at your home and let you know if you need to have your dryer vents cleaned.