One of the leading causes of home fires is clogged dryer vents. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, in 2010, more than 15,500 U.S. homes caught fire because of a clogged dryer vent. When using your dryer, lint and other debris collect in the vent duct and hose restricting airflow and causing exhaust and gasses to build up. If your dryer vent is clogged, it is imperative to hire a professional to inspect and clean your dryer vent thoroughly. For safety reasons, make this an annual task to be sure you stop a potential hazard before it arises.

Knowing when your dryer vent is clogged or needs cleaning can be tricky. Here are some warning signs to look for:

Clothes come out extremely hot – When the dryer vent is not exhausting the hot air properly, it will begin to overheat, putting heavy wear and tear on the dryer’s blower and other heating elements. It may even lead to your clothing being too hot to touch.

Drying time has increased – If you are noticing it’s taking longer to dry your clothes than normal, it’s time to have your dryer vent inspected. Lint will clog the system and push air back into your dryer, making your clothes stay hot and damp. Over time, it will cause your drying time to double or triple.

Debris visible on the outside vent – Seeing debris on the outside vent of your home is a telltale sign your dryer vent is clogged. If there is a considerable amount of lint, call a professional to have your dryer vent cleaned.

The lint trap is empty – After every use, your dryer lint trap should be empty, but if you notice there is less lint then usually there is a problem. With a decrease of suitable airflow, dryer vent ducts will cause lint to stay confined in the vent and not push it out to the trap.

For home safety reasons, if you notice any of these issues contact a professional such as Rooftop Chimney Sweeps. We will perform a full inspection and a thorough cleaning to ensure your dryer is safe to use every time.